Health, performance and soiling of breeding does and their kits kept in two different housing systems on a German rabbit farm

Sally Luisa Rauterberg; Joana Bill; Sarah Kimm; Nicole Kemper; Michaela Fels

doi:10.4995/wrs.2021.13266

Authors

Sally Luisa Rauterberg University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4562-8091
Joana Bill University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover
Sarah Kimm University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover
Nicole Kemper University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0092-4302
Michaela Fels University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9497-5121

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2021.13266

Keywords:

legal requirements, floor type, breeding rabbits, parity, welfare, pododermatitis

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare a new housing (NC) for rabbit does and their kits that complies with German welfare regulations with established wire mesh cages (CC) on a commercial rabbit farm. Rabbit does were single-housed from five days antepartum until weaning at 31 d postpartum either in large pens (80×80 cm with an open top) with slatted plastic flooring (11 mm slats and 11 mm gaps), nestbox, elevated platform (15% perforated) and different manipulable materials (NC) or in cages (70×50×30 cm) with wire mesh flooring (12×70 mm holes and 3 mm wire diameter), nestbox and one gnawing stick (CC). Skin lesions, weight development, fertility, morbidity, cleanliness and kit performance of 272 rabbit does in a total of six batches were investigated. While there was no difference in performance of their kits, rabbit does showed an impaired performance with less weight gain and less body weight at weaning, lower fertility, more injuries and a higher incidence of mastitis and diarrhoea at the end of the rearing period in NC housing compared to CC housing. Additionally, soiling of hind feet was higher in NC than in CC housing. Overall, the poor hygienic conditions may have affected the animals’ health and make an improvement in the new housing system necessary, especially with regard to the floor design.

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Author Biographies

Sally Luisa Rauterberg, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover

Foundation, Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour. University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation

Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Institute of Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry

Joana Bill, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover

Foundation, Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour

Sarah Kimm, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover

Foundation, Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour

Nicole Kemper, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover

Foundation, Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour

Michaela Fels, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover

Foundation, Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour

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