Rabbit

Rabbits enrichment toys

The ring portion of canning jar lids turned out to be attractive play objects for rabbits.

Year Published: 2000Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Bell, L. 2000. Rabbits enrichment toys. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 5(2), 1.

The effect of environmental enrichment on the behaviour of caged rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Rabbits kept in conventional single-cages, showed more restlessness, excessive grooming, bar-gnawing and timidity than rabbits kept in cages that were provisioned with a platform and a shelter. Only a few rabbits, particularly the females, used the box as a shelter...

Year Published: 2000Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Hansen, L. T., Berthelsen, H. 2000. The effect of environmental enrichment on the behaviour of caged rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) . Applied Animal Behaviour Science 68, 163-178.

Housing for Laboratory Rats, Mice, Guinea Pigs and Rabbits

General recommendations for the species-adequate housing of rats, mice, guinea pigs and rabbits

Year Published: 2000Animal Type: Guinea Pig, Mouse, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Hargreaves, A. L. 2000. Housing for Laboratory Rats, Mice, Guinea Pigs and Rabbits. Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Testing, Wellington, New Zealand.

The modification of traditional caging for experimental laboratory rabbits and assessment by behavioural study

The caging was modified by linking pairs, (and later trios), of cages vertically by means of ramps, which gave the rabbits [single or paired] extra space, and a more interesting environment. Each cage had two levels which encouraged the rabbits...

Year Published: 2000Animal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Gerson, P. 2000. The modification of traditional caging for experimental laboratory rabbits and assessment by behavioural study. Animal Technology 51, 13-36.

Refinement in rabbit housing and husbandry

except for locomotor play, rabbits do not use space per se; they use specific resources and structures depending on their motivation state. .. Minimum cage dimensions have to be deduced from the minimum enrichment requirements which have to be incorporated...

Year Published: 2000Topics: Housing, Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Stauffacher, M. 2000. Refinement in rabbit housing and husbandry. In: Progress in the Reduction, Refinement and Replacement of Animal Experimentation. Balls, M., Van Zeller, A. M., Halder, M. (eds), 1269-1277. Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Nylabone on a chain

Both pigs and rabbits are having a great time banging the bone on the cage - they can swing it around, and they get to chew on it too!

Year Published: 2001Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig, Rabbit

Citation: Cohoon, J. 2001. Nylabone on a chain. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 6(1), 2.

Evaluation of objects and food for environmental enrichment of NZW rabbits

Male and female 6-week old New Zealand White rabbits were divided into three groups: food-enriched (Bunny Stix, Bunny Blocks, or celery), non-food enriched (Jingle Ball, Kong toy, or Nylabone), and not enriched. ... Rabbits spent significantly more time interacting with...

Year Published: 2001Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Harris, L. D., Custer, L. B., Soranaka, E. T. et al. 2001. Evaluation of objects and food for environmental enrichment of NZW rabbits. Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science 40(1), 27-30.

Neuroendocrinology of maternal behavior in the rabbit

Rabbit maternal behavior consists of building an underground nest of straw and body hair during late pregnancy and displaying, with circadian periodicity, a single 3-min nursing bout/day across lactation. Estrogen, androgen, progesterone, and prolactin regulate specific aspects of nest-building and...

Year Published: 2001Animal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Gonzalez-Mariscal, G. 2001. Neuroendocrinology of maternal behavior in the rabbit. Hormones and Behavior 40, 125-132.

Wire-floor pens as an alternative to metallic cages in fattening rabbits: Influence on some welfare traits

Penned rabbits spent more time lying down and, from the frequency of scratches on their ears, we may infer that crowding is less important than in cages. The total time spent in locomotion was unchanged but the way they moved...

Year Published: 2001Animal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Martrenchar, A., Boilletot, E., Cotte, J.-P. et al. 2001. Wire-floor pens as an alternative to metallic cages in fattening rabbits: Influence on some welfare traits. Animal Welfare 10, 153-161.

The behavioural repertoire of non-breeding group-housed female laboratory rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Trichophagy and stereotypic behaviors observed in singly caged rabbits were not observed in group-housed does.

Year Published: 2001Animal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Held, S. D. E., Turner, R. J., Wootton, R. J. 2001. The behavioural repertoire of non-breeding group-housed female laboratory rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Animal Welfare 10, 437-443.