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
