Effect of Cage Floor Type on Behavior and Performance of Growing Rabbits

Abstract

Twenty four New-Zealand White rabbits of both genders (12 males and 12 females), 4 weeks old, with nearly equal body weight at the beginning of the experiment, were randomly allotted to three groups of 8 rabbit each (4 males and 4 females). Three groups were established according to the cage floor type. The first group was raised on wire mesh cage floor throughout the experiment. The second group was raised on plastic hollow mat and the third was on rubber hollow mat. Rabbits were weighed at the beginning of the experiment and at weekly intervals thereafter during the experimental period (7 weeks). Individual body weight and feed consumption throughout the experiment were recorded weekly. Body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, ear and eye lesions, total and differential Leukocytes count were also calculated. The results demonstrated that the cage floor type affected drinking and agonistic behavior but did not affect any other behaviors. Rabbits raised on wire mesh floor showed the highest proportion of agonistic behavior. The cage floor type had no influence on BW, feed consumption, BW gain and feed conversion ratio of growing rabbit during the last three weeks of experiment. The incidence of ear and eye lesions was higher in cages with wire mesh (25%) than cages with plastic and rubber mat floor (12.5%). Wire caged rabbits revealed significant increase in white blood cells and lymphocyte counts. It could be suggested that placing of plastic or rubber mat on wire mesh of rabbit' cages has an important effect on reducing the incidence of ear and eye lesions caused by aggressive behaviors and reducing the effect of stress on the total and differential Leukocytes count, as well as improving their welfare state.

Environmental enrichment changes rabbits’ behavior, serum hormone level and further affects cecal microbiota

“…Circling and biting are usually considered stereotypical behaviors of captive rabbits ( Trocino et al , 2019 ; Seidel, Beaton & Teague, 1979 ), and the decreased circling and biting behaviors among the EE-cohort rabbits may suggest that the EE re-directed the rabbits’ attention. These findings support those of previous studies, which showed that EE reduced abnormal behavior in growing rabbits ( Mohammed & Nasr, 2017 ; Abdelfattah et al, 2013 ). We believe this is because EE relieved boredom and satisfied ethological needs.…”

“…Direct focal observations of rabbits in their home cages were conducted to record different behaviors for 15 consecutive days throughout the experimental period ( Abdelfattah et al, 2013 ). After the preliminary experiment, the behavioral observations began on the 16th day of the experiment.…”

Severe maternal undernutrition and post-weaning behavior of rabbits

“…The display of investigatory and locomotory behaviors was the greatest during the first and the last hour of the light and dark periods, respectively, a finding that is in accordance with Abdelfattah et al [29] who have shown that weaned rabbits move and explore more early in the morning compared to the other periods of the day. The ancestor of the domesticated rabbit, the European wild rabbit, is mainly active during the dusk, night and dawn, because as a prey-animal its chances to escape from predators are higher during these time periods of the day [30].…”

Investigations on the Influence of Floor Design on Dirtiness and Foot Pad Lesions in Growing Rabbits

“…Only the wooden floor and layer of straw resulted in a lower daily gain. Also, Abdelfattah et al [10] did not find differences in growing performance and behavior between rabbits kept on wire mesh, plastic slatted floor (1.5 cm slot width), and slatted floor from rubber (1.5 cm slot width). Lang [11] and Wagner et al [12] had already demonstrated that a plastic grid with a slot width of 13 mm and a slat width of 5 mm (perforation rate of approx.…”