Effect of cage type on the behaviour pattern of rabbit does at different physiological stages

Alfonso Carrillo, Clara and Martin Bravo, E. and Blas Beorlegui, Juan Carlos de and Ibañez, M.A. and Garcia Rebollar, Paloma and García Ruiz, Ana Isabel (2014). Effect of cage type on the behaviour pattern of rabbit does at different physiological stages. "World Rabbit Science", v. 22 (n. 1); pp. 59-69. ISSN 1257-5011. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2014.1396.

Description

Title: Effect of cage type on the behaviour pattern of rabbit does at different physiological stages
Author/s:
  • Alfonso Carrillo, Clara
  • Martin Bravo, E.
  • Blas Beorlegui, Juan Carlos de
  • Ibañez, M.A.
  • Garcia Rebollar, Paloma
  • García Ruiz, Ana Isabel
Item Type: Article
Título de Revista/Publicación: World Rabbit Science
Date: 2014
ISSN: 1257-5011
Volume: 22
Subjects:
Faculty: E.T.S.I. Agrónomos (UPM) [antigua denominación]
Department: Producción Agraria
Creative Commons Licenses: Recognition - No derivative works - Non commercial

Full text

[thumbnail of INVE_MEM_2014_189623.pdf]
Preview
PDF - Requires a PDF viewer, such as GSview, Xpdf or Adobe Acrobat Reader
Download (564kB) | Preview

Abstract

Interest in commercially farmed rabbit welfare has increased in recent years. As a result, new alternative housing systems have been developed, although they require evaluation in order to demonstrate their potential for improving welfare. The aim of this trial was to study the behavioural traits of rabbit does housed in 2 different types of cage (TC): conventional vs. alternative with an elevated platform, at different physiological stages (PS); lactation and gestation. Behavioural observations were carried out on 12 rabbit commercial does using continuous 24 h video recording. Independently of PS and TC, rabbit does spent most of their time on foot mats (on av. 57.7%). However, due to the use of platforms (on av. 23.0% of time), lactating does spent 36.6% less time on foot mats (P<0.001) and gestating does spent 27.0% less time on wire mesh (P<0.001) in alternative cages than in conventional cages. Alternative cages allowed for standing posture, but this behaviour was only observed in gestating does (on av. 4.6 times a day). Frequency of drinking was higher in conventional than in alternative cages (24.6 vs. 19.1 times a day; P<0.05). Gestating does housed in conventional cages reached the highest duration and frequency of interacting with neighbours (276 s/d and 4.6 times/d; P<0.05). The frequency of interacting with kits was lower in alternative than in conventional cages (2.4 vs. 8.6 times a day; P<0.01). Doe behaviour was influenced by the time of day, with less activity during the midday hours. During dark hours, rabbit does more frequently performed restless behaviour such as hyperactivity or nursing, matching the time at which rabbit does spent more time on the platform. The platform was frequently used by rabbit does, regardless of their physiological stage, and during late lactation phase, when mothers were not receptive to nursing, does housed in alternative cages used the platform as a mean to flee from kits trying to suckle. Use of the platform might lead to hygienic problems due to retained faeces on the platform and faeces and urine falling onto animals located in the lower part of the cage. The absence of stereotypies in rabbit does of this trial, suggested that animal welfare was not compromised by the type of housing (conventional or alternative cages).

More information

Item ID: 35767
DC Identifier: https://oa.upm.es/35767/
OAI Identifier: oai:oa.upm.es:35767
DOI: 10.4995/wrs.2014.1396
Official URL: http://ojs.upv.es/index.php/wrs/article/view/1396
Deposited by: Memoria Investigacion
Deposited on: 25 Jun 2015 15:09
Last Modified: 06 Feb 2023 10:57
  • Logo InvestigaM (UPM)
  • Logo GEOUP4
  • Logo Open Access
  • Open Access
  • Logo Sherpa/Romeo
    Check whether the anglo-saxon journal in which you have published an article allows you to also publish it under open access.
  • Logo Dulcinea
    Check whether the spanish journal in which you have published an article allows you to also publish it under open access.
  • Logo de Recolecta
  • Logo del Observatorio I+D+i UPM
  • Logo de OpenCourseWare UPM