Development of simplified sampling methods for behavioural data in rabbit does
Submitted: 2015-03-04
|Accepted: 2016-11-30
|Published: 2017-03-30
Downloads
Keywords:
rabbit does, behaviour, type of cage, physiological stage, sampling techniques
Supporting agencies:
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to compare the results of different simplified sampling methods for behavioural data compared to reference records of 24-h in order to assess rabbit doe behaviours at different physiological stages (gestation and lactation) in animals housed in 2 types of cages (conventional and alternative). In total, we analysed 576 h of continuous video of 12 rabbit does at the end of lactation and the same females after weaning. The behavioural observations were studied using 3 independent categories of classification (location in the cage, posture and functional behaviours). Continuous behavioural recordings of 24 h were considered as the reference method to validate another 4 data collection sampling methods by aggregated video recordings of different frequency and duration [regular short and long methods with 2.4 and 8 h of observation respectively, and irregular (more frequent during the active period) short and long methods with 6 and 8 h of observation, respectively]. The current results showed that, independently of the housing system, the best method to reduce the total observation time required to assess rabbit does’ behaviour depends on the trait studied and physiological stage of the does. In gestating does, irregular methods were not suitable to estimate behaviours of long duration such as lying, sitting, resting and grooming. However, in both physiological stages, regular methods were accurate for location behaviours, postures and functional behaviours of long duration. Instead, for the study of infrequent behaviours performed mainly during dark period, where coefficients of variation were high, the irregular long method led to the lowest mean estimation errors.
References:
Alfonso-Carrillo C., Martín E., De Blas C., Ibáñez M.A., García-Rebollar P., García-Ruiz A.I. 2014. Effect of cage type on the behaviour pattern of rabbit does at different physiological stages. World Rabbit Sci., 22: 59-69. doi:10.4995/wrs.20141396
Altmann J. 1974. Observational study of behavior: Sampling Methods. Behaviour, 49: 227-267. doi:10.1163/156853974X00534
AOAC International. 2000. Association of Official Analysis Chemists. Official Method of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists International. 17th ed. AOAC, Gaithersburg, MD.
Arnold-Meeks C.A., McGlone J.J. 1986. Validating techniques to sample behavior of confined, young pigs. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci., 16: 149-155. doi:10.1016/0168-1591(86)90107-3
Boletín Oficial del Estado. 2013. Real Decreto 53/2013 por el que se establecen las normas básicas aplicables para la protección de los animales utilizados en experimentación y otros fines científicos, incluyendo la docencia. BOE-A-2013-1337.
Broom D.M., Fraser A.F. 2007. Describing, recording and measuring behaviour. In: Broom, D.M., Fraser, A.F. (Eds.), Domestic Animal Behaviour and Welfare. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, U.K, pp. 17-26. doi:10.1079/9781845932879.0017
Chu L., Garner J.P., Mench J.A. 2004. A behavioral comparison of New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) housed individually or in pairs in conventional laboratory cages. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci., 85: 121-139. doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2003.09.011
Mann J. 1999. Behavioral sampling methods for cetaceans: a review and critique. Marine Mammal Sci., 15: 102-122. doi:10.1111/j.1748-7692.1999.tb00784.x
Martin P., Bateson P. 1993. Recording Methods. In: Martin, P., Bateson, P. (Eds.), Measuring Behaviour. An introductory guide, Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, U.K, pp. 84-100. doi:10.1017/CBO9781139168342.009
Mitlöhner F.M., Morrow-Tesch J.L., Wilson S.C., Dailey J.W., McGlone J.J. 2001. Behavioral sampling techniques for feedlot cattle. J. Anim. Sci., 79: 1189-1193. doi:10.2527/2001.7951189x
Morisse J.P., Boilletto E., Martrenchar A. 1999. Preference testing in intensively kept meat production rabbits for straw on wire grid floor. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci., 64: 71-80. doi:10.1016/S0168-1591(99)00023-4
Morisse J.P., Maurice R. 1997. Influence of stocking density or group size on behaviour of fattening rabbits kept under intensive conditions. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci., 54: 351-357. doi:10.1016/S0168-1591(96)01188-4
Mugnai C., Dal Bosco A., Castellini C. 2009. Effect of different rearing systems and pre-kindling handling on behaviour and performance or rabbit does. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci., 118: 91-
doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2009.02.007
Princz Z., Dalle Zotte A., Radnai I., Biró-Németh E., Matics Z., Gerencsér Z., Nagy I., Szendrő Zs. 2008. Behaviour of growing rabbits under various housing conditions. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci., 111: 342-356. doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2007.06.013
SAS. 2008. SAS/STAT User’s Guide, version 9.3. SAS Inst. Inc., Cary NC, USA.