Application of gnawing sticks in rabbit housing.

Princz, Z.; Orova, Z.; Nagy, István; Jordan, Dušanka; Štuhec, Ivan; Luzi, F.; Verga, M.; Szendrő, Z.

doi:10.4995/wrs.2007.607

Cited by 24 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…These results could be due to habituation to objects, which reduces the interaction with them over time; it would be possible to rotate the different enrichment objects to achieve the expected effect (Johnson et al, 2003). Various authors (Johnson et al, 2003;Jordan et al, 2003;Luzi et al, 2003;Verga et al, 2004) agree that in enriched cages the frequency of abnormal behaviours of rabbits is lower and gnawing the stick reduces the aggressive forms (Princz et al, , 2008(Princz et al, , 2007Szendrő, 2009). …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of environmental enrichment and group size on behaviour and live weight in growing rabbits

et al. 2012

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ABSTRACT:The aim of this research was to study the effects of group size and environmental enrichment on behaviour and growth of 108 hybrid growing rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). We compared the behaviour (time budget and reactions to specific behavioural tests: "tonic immobility" and "emergence test") and live weight of growing rabbits housed in cages with a different number of rabbits per cage (2, 3 and 4; same density: 14 rabbits/m 2 ). Half of the cages were enriched with a wooden stick (cylindrical Robinia Pseudoacacia, 20 cm of lenght and 6 cm of diameter) hanging from the ceiling of the cage. The stick and number of animals per cage had no effect on weight gain or on behavioural tests responses. Interaction with the stick was significantly higher at the beginning of the growing period. Principal component analysis performed on the data for the whole period showed significant differences according to the treatments: increasing the number of rabbits per cage and introducing a wooden stick seemed to affect locomotor activity frequency and social interactions. Rabbits housed 3 and 4 per cage showed less lying behaviour and higher locomotor activity and sitting. The larger functional space allowance enabled rabbits to perform more natural behaviours compared to smaller cages (2 rabbits/cage). Environmental enrichment seems to be related to higher allogrooming behaviour frequency, which could indicate a social behaviour related to pheromonal olfactory stimulation and mutual recognition.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of environmental enrichment and group size on behaviour and live weight in growing rabbits

et al. 2012

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“…the weight of wooden sticks (Princz et al, 2007). For Pine and Ply, the following scale was used ( Figure 1): 1: ≤10% of the material had disappeared; 2: >10% and ≤25% of the material had disappeared; 3: >25% and ≤50% of the material had disappeared; 4: >50% of the material had disappeared.…”

Section: Observationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cage-enrichment: rabbit does prefer straw or a compressed wooden block

Rommers¹,

Bracke²,

Reuvekamp³

et al. 2014

World Rabbit Sci.

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Abstract:The effect of different food related materials on the behaviour of commercial meat rabbit does was investigated to provide them enrichment. Five different treatments were tested. Control (pens without additional enrichment, C) was compared with pens containing a pinewood stick (Pine), straw in a plastic bin (Straw), a compressed wooden block (Ply) or a combination of straw and a pinewood stick (Straw+Pine). The experiment was conducted on a commercial rabbit farm using 80 cages with multiparous lactating hybrid (Hycole) rabbit does. Behavioural observations were conducted in the first 4 wk of 2 successive lactations of 6 wk each, twice a week from 15:00 to 18:30 h. Once every week the consumption of gnawing materials and soiling of the cages was scored. More does were significantly occupied with Straw and Ply than with Pine (24±20, 11±9 and 4±3% of does, respectively) for a longer duration (4±4, 2±2, 0.1±0.2% of observed time, respectively). In does of Straw+Pine group, the pinewood was barely touched and straw was preferred. It can be concluded that straw (loose material) and wooden block are used by the animals as enrichment material to gnaw or chew on. The materials remain attractive for the 2 lactations which were measured. The pinewood stick as provided in this study was rarely used and it may be questioned whether it is sufficient as enrichment material or if it should be provided in another way than hanging on the roof of the cage. This study provides a first step towards a positive list of enrichment materials that can be used in commercial rabbit farming in The Netherlands.

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“…Environmental enrichment, which reduces the negative effects of boredom, contributes both to meet the rabbits' needs and to improve their quality of life. Although a few studies have been conducted on the effects of environmental enrichment on rabbits, some authors have found that the presence of objects to gnaw and leave an olfactory mark in the cage increases growth performance in fattening rabbits (Verga et al, 2004), and reduces stereotypies (Berthesen and Hansen, 1999;Luzi et al, 2003;Jordan et al, 2006;Princz et al, 2007). Environmental enrichment such as a wooden stick does not have a negative effect on rabbit performances (Verga et al, 2004).…”

Section: Welfare Evaluation and Improvement In Rabbit Rearingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Welfare aspects in rabbit rearing and transport

Verga¹,

Luzi²,

Petracci³

et al. 2009

Italian Journal of Animal Science

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The review starts with the description of the rabbits' (Oryctolagus cuniculus) main habits and the current situation concerning the rabbit husbandry and management systems, as well as their effects on the welfare of these animals. As far as the intensive rabbit husbandry systems are concerned, the main problems are related to the time since rabbits have been domesticated and their adaptive capacity and coping styles as respects the farming environment and management systems. Both these aspects have implications in the present and future of rabbit rearing for different purposes. Examples are given on the effects of different housing and management systems on rabbit welfare, as well as examples of the ethological, physiological and productive indicators used to evaluate these effects. Transportation and, more generally, preslaughter phases including catching, fasting and lairage at the abattoir are considered major stressors for farmed rabbits and might have deleterious effects on health, well-being, performance, and finally, product quality. A general statement of the recent scientific studies considering the effects of pre-slaughter factors on physiological and productive measurements are reported. Finally, some indications in order to improve rabbit welfare, already present at the European level, are also outlined, together with the European Food Safety Authority opinions.

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Application of gnawing sticks in rabbit housing.

Cited by 24 publications

References 3 publications

Effect of environmental enrichment and group size on behaviour and live weight in growing rabbits

Effect of environmental enrichment and group size on behaviour and live weight in growing rabbits

Cage-enrichment: rabbit does prefer straw or a compressed wooden block

Welfare aspects in rabbit rearing and transport

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