To evaluate aggression of reproducing does in a part-time system, 72 crossbred multiparous rabbit does of two genotypes (Grimaud and Hycole) were housed in individual modules of a park system. Then, 18 parks with 4 does were formed from 9 d before kindling until 2 d before kindling and from 12 d after kindling until weaning (33 d after kindling); 9 parks with Grimaud and 9 parks with Hycole does. Within genotype, 3 parks did not have any enrichment; 3 parks contained an elevated platform; the remaining 3 has both a platform and two PVC hiding pipes. Behaviour in all parks was video-recorded for 24 h at −9 d (at first grouping), +12 d (re-grouping), +19 d (nest opening) and +33 d (weaning of litters). The number of bites per 30 min per park was higher (1.22 and 1.79 events) at grouping (9 d before and 12 d after kindling) compared to 0.72 and 0.34 bites at 19 d after kindling and after litter weaning (P<0.001). A higher number of bites per 30 min per park was recorded in Hycole does compared to Grimaud at the first grouping (1.54 vs. 0.91; P<0.001), whereas differences between the two genotypes were not statistically significant within the other observation days. A higher aggression level (P<0.001) was recorded in parks without any enrichment compared to those enriched with platforms or those with both platforms and hiding pipes, with 1.44 bites per observation in the former and 0.86 and 0.76 bites in the latter, respectively. Additionally, significant interactions were recorded between the observation day and the genotype (with Hycole showing more aggression than Grimaud at the first grouping) and between the observation day and the enrichment (enrichments were more effective in reducing aggression at the two grouping times).
Behaviour and welfare of rabbit does in a part-time group housing system: effects of genotype and environmental enrichment
Trocino A.;Pirrone F.;Birolo M.;Xiccato G.
2024
Abstract
To evaluate aggression of reproducing does in a part-time system, 72 crossbred multiparous rabbit does of two genotypes (Grimaud and Hycole) were housed in individual modules of a park system. Then, 18 parks with 4 does were formed from 9 d before kindling until 2 d before kindling and from 12 d after kindling until weaning (33 d after kindling); 9 parks with Grimaud and 9 parks with Hycole does. Within genotype, 3 parks did not have any enrichment; 3 parks contained an elevated platform; the remaining 3 has both a platform and two PVC hiding pipes. Behaviour in all parks was video-recorded for 24 h at −9 d (at first grouping), +12 d (re-grouping), +19 d (nest opening) and +33 d (weaning of litters). The number of bites per 30 min per park was higher (1.22 and 1.79 events) at grouping (9 d before and 12 d after kindling) compared to 0.72 and 0.34 bites at 19 d after kindling and after litter weaning (P<0.001). A higher number of bites per 30 min per park was recorded in Hycole does compared to Grimaud at the first grouping (1.54 vs. 0.91; P<0.001), whereas differences between the two genotypes were not statistically significant within the other observation days. A higher aggression level (P<0.001) was recorded in parks without any enrichment compared to those enriched with platforms or those with both platforms and hiding pipes, with 1.44 bites per observation in the former and 0.86 and 0.76 bites in the latter, respectively. Additionally, significant interactions were recorded between the observation day and the genotype (with Hycole showing more aggression than Grimaud at the first grouping) and between the observation day and the enrichment (enrichments were more effective in reducing aggression at the two grouping times).
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