Economic impact of decreasing stocking densities in broiler rabbit production based on Belgian farm data

Abstract

AbstrAct:Stocking density is a prominent issue in public debates on farm animal welfare. Public perceptions and economic impact of reduced stocking density should be considered, along with effects on animal performances and welfare. In this paper, experimental data and accountancy data based on 15 Belgian farms were combined to calculate the financial impact of different stocking densities on broiler rabbit farm profitability. Using the partial budget technique, only those elements that change with stocking density were taken into account. From the experiment, feed conversion and feed intake were found to increase slightly though significantly with decreasing stocking density, although only 5% and 6% of the variation, respectively, were explained by stocking density. However, reducing stocking density implies a recalculation of all costs in a reduced number of broiler rabbits, which has a negative impact on farm profitability. Reducing stocking density from the standard situation of 15 rabbits per m² to 10 rabbits per m² reduced added value by €22 per doe. In general, farm income was low and amounted to only €28.10 per doe during 2006-2008 for the reference situation of 15 rabbits per m². Below a density of 9 rabbits/m², a negative farm income was calculated. Sensitivity analysis showed that rabbit meat price has a stronger influence on the added value at a given density than rabbit feed price.

Efficacité alimentaire en cuniculture : voies d'améliorations, impacts technico-économiques et environnementaux

“…Ainsi, un engraissement conduit en cages individuelles ou de deux (système Italien) permettrait d'améliorer l'ICg de 5 à 10 %, comparativement à des cages de 6 à 8 lapereaux (Trocino et al, 2015). En cuniculture conventionnelle, les variations de densité entre fermes, habituellement autour de 15 lapins/m², peuvent expliquer de 5 à 6 % des variations d'ICg (Verspecht et al, 2011). En revanche, dans le cas d'un engraissement en parcs, ou en extérieur, ou au sol, on doit s'attendre à une détérioration sensible de l'ICg.…”

The effect of housing conditions on Biceps femoris muscle fibre properties, fatty acid composition, performance and carcass traits of slow-growing rabbits

“…It has been stated that a stocking density lower than 16 rabbits/m 2 had no effect on the growth performance of growing rabbits (e.g., Trocino et al, 2004;Szendrő et al, 2009). Verspecht et al (2011) reported that feed conversion and feed intake were found to increase slightly with decreasing stocking density. Similarly, Xiccato et al (2013) observed that the slaughter and carcass traits and meat quality were weakly affected by the housing system.…”