A review of recent research outcomes on the housing of farmed domestic rabbits: reproducing does

The housing of farmed animals is increasingly scrutinised by society and thereby subject to a change towards more animal-friendly systems. For rabbits, also kept as pets, there are no EC regulations regarding their housing under farming conditions. In many countries, studies have been carried out to...

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Autores principales: Szendro, Z. S., Trocino, A., Hoy, S. T., Xiccato, G., Villagrá, Arantxa, Maertens, L.
Formato: Artículo
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: 2020
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11939/6320
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author Szendro, Z. S.
Trocino, A.
Hoy, S. T.
Xiccato, G.
Villagrá, Arantxa
Maertens, L.
author_browse Hoy, S. T.
Maertens, L.
Szendro, Z. S.
Trocino, A.
Villagrá, Arantxa
Xiccato, G.
author_facet Szendro, Z. S.
Trocino, A.
Hoy, S. T.
Xiccato, G.
Villagrá, Arantxa
Maertens, L.
author_sort Szendro, Z. S.
collection ReDivia
description The housing of farmed animals is increasingly scrutinised by society and thereby subject to a change towards more animal-friendly systems. For rabbits, also kept as pets, there are no EC regulations regarding their housing under farming conditions. In many countries, studies have been carried out to improve their welfare and health under current and alternative housing systems. This paper reviews and integrates the research efforts made since the EFSA report in 2005 on reproducing rabbit does and provides some conclusions, where possible, with special emphasis on animal welfare according to the principles stated by the Welfare Quality project, i.e. good housing, good health and appropriate behaviour. The use of an elevated platform provides greater opportunities for does and their kits to move, jumping up and down. Management and housing systems (especially flooring) must guarantee good hygienic conditions (all-in, all-out) and separation of the rabbits from their excreta for proper resting places, hygiene and health. Plastic floors and footrests and environmental enrichments (e.g. gnawing material) are also recommended. Continuous group housing systems for reproducing females have been definitively proven to challenge animal welfare by increased aggression and injuries among does and to kits. Part-time group housing systems have proven to have potential, but cannot yet be recommended in farms until major problems of aggression and injuries among animals are solved.
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spelling ReDivia63202025-04-25T14:46:52Z A review of recent research outcomes on the housing of farmed domestic rabbits: reproducing does Szendro, Z. S. Trocino, A. Hoy, S. T. Xiccato, G. Villagrá, Arantxa Maertens, L. The housing of farmed animals is increasingly scrutinised by society and thereby subject to a change towards more animal-friendly systems. For rabbits, also kept as pets, there are no EC regulations regarding their housing under farming conditions. In many countries, studies have been carried out to improve their welfare and health under current and alternative housing systems. This paper reviews and integrates the research efforts made since the EFSA report in 2005 on reproducing rabbit does and provides some conclusions, where possible, with special emphasis on animal welfare according to the principles stated by the Welfare Quality project, i.e. good housing, good health and appropriate behaviour. The use of an elevated platform provides greater opportunities for does and their kits to move, jumping up and down. Management and housing systems (especially flooring) must guarantee good hygienic conditions (all-in, all-out) and separation of the rabbits from their excreta for proper resting places, hygiene and health. Plastic floors and footrests and environmental enrichments (e.g. gnawing material) are also recommended. Continuous group housing systems for reproducing females have been definitively proven to challenge animal welfare by increased aggression and injuries among does and to kits. Part-time group housing systems have proven to have potential, but cannot yet be recommended in farms until major problems of aggression and injuries among animals are solved. 2020-02-21T11:51:32Z 2020-02-21T11:51:32Z 2019 article publishedVersion Szendro, Z. S., Trocino, A., Hoy, S. T., Xiccato, G., Villagra, A., & Maertens, L. (2019). A review of recent research outcomes on the housing of farmed domestic rabbits: reproducing does. World Rabbit Science, 27(1), 1-14. 1257-5011 http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11939/6320 10.4995/wrs.2019.10599 en openAccess electronico
spellingShingle Szendro, Z. S.
Trocino, A.
Hoy, S. T.
Xiccato, G.
Villagrá, Arantxa
Maertens, L.
A review of recent research outcomes on the housing of farmed domestic rabbits: reproducing does
title A review of recent research outcomes on the housing of farmed domestic rabbits: reproducing does
title_full A review of recent research outcomes on the housing of farmed domestic rabbits: reproducing does
title_fullStr A review of recent research outcomes on the housing of farmed domestic rabbits: reproducing does
title_full_unstemmed A review of recent research outcomes on the housing of farmed domestic rabbits: reproducing does
title_short A review of recent research outcomes on the housing of farmed domestic rabbits: reproducing does
title_sort review of recent research outcomes on the housing of farmed domestic rabbits reproducing does
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11939/6320
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