Application of gnawing sticks in rabbit housing

[EN] Four experiments are described relating to gnawing sticks application in rabbit housing. In experiment 1 and 2, Pannon White rabbits, weaned at the age of five weeks, were placed into pens with wire net floor. In experiment 1, every pen (180 animals in 12 pens, surface per head: 571 cm2) was provided with three gnawing sticks randomly chosen from White locust, Black elder, White willow, Little-leaf linden, European larch, Black poplar, European white birch, White buckeye and White mulberry species. In experiment 2 (150 animals in 10 pens, surface per head: 571 cm2), only those tree species ingested by rabbits in the first experiment were used (White locust, White willow, Little-leaf linden, Black poplar and White buckeye). In the second experiment, rabbits showed the highest preference towards gnawing sticks of Little-leaf linden, while similar White willow and White buckeye consumption was observed. In the experiment 3, rabbits¿ preference to different types of wood and the influence on rabbits¿ behaviour of added wooden sticks as environmental enrichment was studied. At the age of 38 days, 48 male SIKA rabbits were housed individually in wire cages (surface per head: 1500 cm2). According to the type of wood placed in the cage, rabbits were equally allotted to four groups: control, Common oak, Little-leaf linden and Norway spruce. Rabbits¿ preference to type of wood was studied on all the animals with wooden stick, while rabbits¿ behaviour was studied on 16 focus animals at the age of 5 and 13 weeks using continuous 24 hours video recordings. Rabbits preferred gnawing Little-leaf linden and Norway spruce compared to Common oak. Addition of gnawing sticks had no significant influence on duration of rabbits¿ behaviour, except for eating feed and gnawing wooden stick time. In experiment 4, the effect of housing and environmental enrichment on the performance and behaviour of growing rabbits was tested. 72 hybrid rabbits were housed after the weaning period in standard fattening cages at 2, 3, 4 animals per cage (surface per head: 1045 cm2, 697 cm2, 522 cm2, respectively). Half cages were enriched using a wood stick (Robinia pseudoacacia) dangling from the ceiling of the cage. The environmental enrichment decreased the stereotypies (gnawing the bars of the cage). A tendency to lower aggressive behaviours in enriched caged rabbits was also found compared to the conventional caged rabbits. This might indicate a better satisfaction of the behavioural needs for the enriched caged rabbits.Princz, Z.; Orova, Z.; Nagy, I.; Jordan, D.; Stuhec, I.; Luzi, F.; Verga, M.... (2007). Application of gnawing sticks in rabbit housing. World Rabbit Science. 15(1):29-36. doi:10.4995/wrs.2007.607293615

Milk production of pseudopregnant multiparous does

The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the milk production of pseudopregnant does. In this experiment, data of multiparous, inseminated, pregnant (IP, n=15) does and two groups of presumably pseudopregnant multiparous does: inseminated, non-pregnant (INP, n=17) and induced to ovulation by GnRH (1.5 microgram per animal) at the day of insemination (11 d after parturition) (non-inseminated, ovulating: NIO, n=15) were analysed. The progesterone level was measured at the 12th d after treatment to determine if females were pseudopregnant. All IP and NIO does were pregnant and pseudopregnant, respectively. Within the INP group, 10 and 7 does were diagnosed as positive (INPO) or negative (INPNO) for pseudopregnancy. Two of the INPNO does perished during lactation. The average milk production of groups IP, INP and NIO was 212, 92 and 72 g/d, respectively (P160 g in the various groups were: IP=0, 0, 0, 0 and 100%, NIO=20, 13, 27, 40 and 0%, INP=15, 15, 15, 55 and 0%, respectively. The daily milk yield of the 5 INPNO does was 2, 6, 27, 84 and 139 g, respectively. These results demonstrated that multiparous empty does, pseudopregnant or non-pseudopregnant, can produce milk, but in lower quantities than multiparous does after kindling.Szendrö, Z.; Matics, Z.; Brecchia, G.; Theau-Clément, M.; Nagy, Z.; Princz, Z.; Biró-Németh, E.... (2010). Milk production of pseudopregnant multiparous does. World Rabbit Science. 18(2). doi:10.4995/WRS.2010.18.1018

NIRS PREDICTION FOR PROTEIN AND INTRAMUSCULAR FAT CONTENT OF RABBIT HIND LEG MEAT

The goal of this study was to develop calibration equations to predict the chemical composition of raw, homogenized rabbit meat by means of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). 44 Pannon White rabbits were housed in groups in three different pen types (16 anim./m2), and were fed the same diet. Another 45 animals were housed in cages (12 anim./m2) and fed by different feeding regimes. Rabbits were slaughtered at the bodyweight of 2.4-2.5 kg. Homogenized fresh and freeze-dried left total hind leg muscles were investigated by NIRS using a NIRSystem 6500 equipment with small ring cup sample holder. The ether extract and protein content of all samples were determined chemically. Samples 44 of housing experiment were applied in producing LOCAL calibration equations tested on the 45 samples from the separate feeding experiment. Coefficients of determination (R2) of the predictions were 0.89 and 0.99 for fat, 0.85 and 0.96 for protein in fresh and freeze-dried samples, respectively. Results are reassuring, because the equations were applicable, however the analyzed samples were from independent housing and feeding systems. Therefore the chemical compositions differed in the two datasets, i.e. 9.46%, and 11.79% for fat, 85.75% and 83.44% for protein content in calibration and prediction datasets, respectively. The average of NIRS predicted values for fat and protein was 11.36%, 83.88% or 11.54%, 83.45% when using fresh or freeze-dried samples, respectively

Effect of group size and stocking density on productive, carcass, meat quality and aggression traits of growing rabbits

[EN] The aim of the experiment was to examine the effect of group size and stocking density on productive, carcass and meat quality traits. The trial was conducted using 230 Pannon white rabbits weaned at 5 weeks and reared until the age of 11 weeks. Seven groups were formed with different cage/pen sizes (group size) and stocking densities: SC16=small cage (0.12 m2), 16 rabbits/m2 (2 rabbits/cage); LC16=large cage (0.50 m2), 16 rabbits/m2 (8 rabbits/cage); LC12=large cage, 12 rabbits/m2 (6 rabbits/cage); SP16=small pen (0.86 m2), 16 rabbits/m2 (13 rabbits/cage); SP12=small pen, 12 rabbits/m2 (10 rabbits/cage); LP16=large pen (1.72 m2), 16 rabbits/m2 (26 rabbits/cage); LP12=large pen, 12 rabbits/m2 (20 rabbits/cage). Stocking density did not affect production significantly, as stocking densities lower than 16 rabbits/m2 had no effect on the growing rabbits¿ performance. Group size (size of the cage or pen) had an effect on certain growth, carcass and meat quality traits. Increasing group size resulted in lower values for weight gain (SC: 39.2>LC: 39.0> SP: 38.7> LP: 37.8 g/d; P=0.22) and body weight (SC: 2506>LC: 2498> SP: 2487> LP: 2446 g; P=0.35), similarly to other results in the literature, but the differences were not significant. Aggressive behaviour was observed to be more frequent in the larger group sizes. At the age of 11 weeks the proportion of rabbits with ear lesions in the SC, LC, SP and LP groups were 0.0, 7.1, 8.7, and 17.4%, respectively, demonstrating that larger group size increases the risk of ear lesions. The effect of group size on the ratio of the fore part to the reference carcass (SC: 28.5, LC: 28.2, LP: 29.0%; P=0.02) and on the amount of perirenal fat (SC: 21.3, LC: 18.0, LP: 13.7 g; P<0.001) was significant. Meat quality traits (dry matter, protein, fat and ash content, drip loss, pH, L*, a*, b* values) were not affected by group size (cage vs. pen), but successful discriminations were performed using the NIRS method.The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance received from the GAK OMFB-01335/ALAP1- 00121 project.Szendrö, Z.; Princz, Z.; Romvári, R.; Locsmándi, L.; Szabó, A.; Bázár, G.; Radnai, I.... (2009). Effect of group size and stocking density on productive, carcass, meat quality and aggression traits of growing rabbits. World Rabbit Science. 17(3):153-162. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2009.65515316217

Novend\ue9knyulak v\ue0laszt\ue0sa tukros \ue9s tukor n\ue9lkuli ketrecek kozott.

Five week-old Pannon White rabbits were housed in a closed climatized rabbitry and randomly assigned to pens (56 rabbits) having a basic area of 1 m2 with a stocking density of 16 and 12 rabbits/m2 or to 18 individual cages (0.24 m2; 1 rabbit/cage; stocking density of 4 rabbits/m2). The pens and the cages were divided into 2 parts and animals could move freely among the 2 parts through swing doors. The vertical sides of one part of the pens and cages were completely covered with mirrors while the other part was covered with white plastic panels. A 24 hour video recording was performed twice a week using infrared cameras and the number of rabbits in each pen and cage was counted with a frequency of 15 minutes (96 times a day). The duration of the trial was 6 weeks. The lighting period was 16L/8D. Rabbits were fed ad libitum a standard diet and water was available ad libitum from nipple drinkers. Throughout the entire rearing period 67% of the individually caged rabbits showed a preference for the part of the cage enriched with mirrors (P<0.001). This preference slightly decreased with increasing age. The strong preference toward the part of the cage provided with mirror walls was independent of the time of day. That is, during the active period (11:00 pm \u2013 05:00 am), which corresponds to the dark part of the day, rabbits still preferred the mirror-side even though they were not able to see their own reflected image at that time. Neither rearing rabbits in groups under different stocking densities (12 vs 16 rabbits/m2) nor the presence of conspecifics reduced the interest toward mirrors. 65% of animals living at the stocking density of 16 rabbits/m2 and 61% of those living at the density of 12 rabbits/m2 were found on the side with mirrors (P<0.001) during all the recordings. Group-penned rabbits showed a decisive preference toward mirrors during the active period (71 to 74% for stocking densities of 12 and 16 rabbits/m2, respectively; P<0.001). The results suggest that the mirrors\u2019 presence offers some advantages, perhaps related to comfort and welfare that could be used as environmental enrichments for fattening rabbits. However, the installation costs should be taken into account before considering their use for long time individually caged animals and for grouppenned rabbits

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT HOUSING ONPRODUCTIVE TRAITS AND ON SOMEBEHAVIOUR PATTERNS OF GROWINGRABBITS. PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Two-hundred-twenty-eight 5-week-old Pannon White rabbits were housed in cages (2 rabbits/ cage, 0.12 m2) or in pens (13 rabbits/pen, 0.83 m2) with the same stocking density. Half of the cages and pens had wire net floor while the other half had plastic net. In every second cage and pen wooden gnawing stick was fixed onto the wall. Every second week a 24-hour video recording was done. At 11 weeks of age ear lesions were checked. Body weight of rabbits in cages was significantly higher between 7 and 11 weeks of age. Floor type had no influence on weight gain and body weight. Rabbits in cages/ pens with gnawing stick were significantly heavier at 11 weeks of age. Mortality was independent of all treatments. Gnawing stick consumption was significantly higher in pens. Ear lesions were more frequent in rabbits housed in pens or on plastic net, however, significant difference was found only between rabbits with or without wooden stick, with higher ear lesions on rabbits reared without wooden stick

Rabbit's preference for cages and pens with or without mirrors

Five week-old Pannon White rabbits were housed in a closed climatized rabbitry and randomly assigned to pens (56 rabbits) having a basic area of 1 m2 with a stocking density of 16 and 12 rabbits/m2 or to 18 individual cages (0.24 m2; 1 rabbit/cage; stocking density of 4 rabbits/m2). The pens and the cages were divided into 2 parts and animals could move freely among the 2 parts through swing doors. The vertical sides of one part of the pens and cages were completely covered with mirrors while the other part was covered with white plastic panels. A 24 hour video recording was performed twice a week using infrared cameras and the number of rabbits in each pen and cage was counted with a frequency of 15 minutes (96 times a day). The duration of the trial was 6 weeks. The lighting period was 16L/8D. Rabbits were fed ad libitum a standard diet and water was available ad libitum from nipple drinkers. Throughout the entire rearing period 67% of the individually caged rabbits showed a preference for the part of the cage enriched with mirrors (P<0.001). This preference slightly decreased with increasing age. The strong preference toward the part of the cage provided with mirror walls was independent of the time of day. That is, during the active period (11:00 pm – 05:00 am), which corresponds to the dark part of the day, rabbits still preferred the mirror-side even though they were not able to see their own reflected image at that time. Neither rearing rabbits in groups under different stocking densities (12 vs. 16 rabbits/m2) nor the presence of conspecifics reduced the interest toward mirrors. 65% of animals living at the stocking density of 16 rabbits/m2 and 61% of those living at the density of 12 rabbits/m2 were found on the side with mirrors (P<0.001) during all the recordings. Group-penned rabbits showed a decisive preference toward mirrors during the active period (71 to 74% for stocking densities of 12 and 16 rabbits/m2, respectively; P<0.001). The results suggest that the mirrors’ presence offers some advantages, perhaps related to comfort and welfare that could be used as environmental enrichments for fattening rabbits. However, the installation costs should be taken into account before considering their use for long time individually caged animals and for group-penned rabbits

EFFECT OF FLOOR TYPE AND GNAWING STICKON THE CAGE-CHOICE OF THE GROWINGRABBITS

Five-week-old Pannon White rabbits (n=112) were weaned and housed into two blocks of cages applying stocking density of 12 or 16 rabbits/m2. Both blocks were divided into four cages of wire mesh (n=2) or plastic mesh floor (n=2). In every second cage a gnawing stick was fixed on the wall. The rabbits could freely move among the four cages of the same block through swing doors. A 24-hour infrared video recording was taken once a week and the rabbits in each cage were counted every half an hour. Significantly more rabbits chose the cages of plastic floor (16 rabbits/m2: 62.5%, 12 rabbits/ m2: 76.5%) than the cages of wire mesh floor. With the increasing age between 5 and 11 weeks, the ratio of rabbits on wire mesh floor increased. This results show that the rabbits accept a less preferable floor type instead of staying in higher stocking density (kg/rabbits). The preference of cages with gnawing sticks was also significant (53.1-54.1%) but this effect was less pronounced than that of the floor type

Effetto di diversi sistemi di stabulazione sulle prestazioni produttive e sul comportamento dei conigli in accrescimento. Risultati preliminari

Duecentoventotto conigli Pannon White di 5 settimane di et\ue0 furono sistemati in gabbie di diverse dimensioni (0,12m2; 2 conigli/gabbia; oppure 0,83m2; 13 conigli/gabbia) ma con la medesima densit\ue0 di allevamento (16 conigli/m2). Met\ue0 delle gabbie presentava un fondo in rete metallica, l\u2019altra met\ue0 era dotata di un fondo in rete di plastica. Met\ue0 delle gabbie conteneva un arricchimento ambientale costituito da un bastoncino di legno. Dallo svezzamento alla macellazione (77 giorni di et\ue0) furono rilevate le prestazioni produttive. Alla macellazione, le orecchie dei conigli furono controllate per valutare la presenza e l\u2019entit\ue0 delle lesioni. Ogni 2 settimane furono effettuate delle videoregistrazioni allo scopo di monitorare l\u2019uso del bastoncino di legno. Il peso vivo rilevato tra le 7 e le 11 settimane di et\ue0 fu significativamente superiore nei conigli allevati in gabbie bicellulari. Il tipo di pavimentazione non influenz\uf2 le prestazioni produttive dei conigli. Gli animali che disponevano dell\u2019arricchimento ambientale furono significativamente pi\uf9 pesanti alla macellazione. La mortalit\ue0 osservata durante la prova fu indipendente dai fattori sperimentali. L\u2019utilizzo del bastoncino di legno fu superiore negli animali allevati in gruppi di 12 (P<0,01). Le lesioni auricolari furono pi\uf9 frequenti nei conigli allevati in gruppo o in gabbie con fondo di plastica, ma le lesioni furono maggiormente rappresentate nei conigli sprovvisti di arricchimento ambientale (P<0,001)