Effect of handling in pre-weaning rabbits

Authors

  • Daniela Zucca Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, Sezione di Zootecnica Veterinaria
  • Veronica Redaelli Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, Sezione di Zootecnica Veterinaria
  • S.P. Marelli Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, Sezione di Zootecnica Veterinaria
  • Vittorio Bonazza Distretto Veterinario di Romano di Lombardia
  • Eugenio Heinzl Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, Sezione di Zootecnica Veterinaria
  • Marina Verga Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, Sezione di Zootecnica Veterinaria
  • Fabio Luzi Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, Sezione di Zootecnica Veterinaria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2012.1083

Keywords:

Kits, handling, body weight, behavioural test, fear, rabbit

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of regular daily handling on weight gain and on the fear reaction towards a new environment and human beings in domestic kits (Tonic Immobility test: TI, Emergence test: ET). Two groups in the same environment and fed the same diet were analysed: handled group and control (17 litters, 9 kits/litter per group). No differences in weight gain were recorded. During ET at 33 days of age, handled kits took less time to enter the arena than control group kits. TI duration was shorter in handled kits, which required more inductions than the control group. It was found that minimal human contact imposed before nursing reduced the fear of humans in rabbit kits. Our handling method requires minimal contact and can be used to reduce fear and improve welfare in rabbits. Moreover, the short length of the handling procedure allows stockpersons to produce tamer rabbits, reducing stress levels.

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Author Biographies

Daniela Zucca, Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, Sezione di Zootecnica Veterinaria

Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, Sezione di Zootecnica Veterinaria

Veronica Redaelli, Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, Sezione di Zootecnica Veterinaria

Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, Sezione di Zootecnica Veterinaria

S.P. Marelli, Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, Sezione di Zootecnica Veterinaria

Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, Sezione di Zootecnica Veterinaria

Eugenio Heinzl, Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, Sezione di Zootecnica Veterinaria

Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, Sezione di Zootecnica Veterinaria

Marina Verga, Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, Sezione di Zootecnica Veterinaria

Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, Sezione di Zootecnica Veterinaria

Fabio Luzi, Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, Sezione di Zootecnica Veterinaria

Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, Sezione di Zootecnica Veterinaria

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Vol. 20 No. 2 (2012)

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Papers

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