Rabbit

Behaviour of growing rabbits under various housing conditions

The aim of this research was to assess the effects of environmental variables (group size, stocking density, floor type, environmental enrichment) on behaviour as a welfare indicator of growing rabbits. Two experiments were carried out with Pannon White rabbits. In...

Year Published: 2008Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Social Housing & Companionship, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Princz, Z., Dalle Zotte, A., Radnai, I. et al. 2008. Behaviour of growing rabbits under various housing conditions. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 111(3-4), 342-356.

Effect of cage height on the welfare of growing rabbits

Examining the rabbits' preference, ear lesions connected to aggressive behaviour and production (indicators of well being) it can be concluded that the commonly used 30-35 cm high cages are satisfactory for the growing rabbits.

Year Published: 2008Animal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Princz, Z., Radnai, I., et al. 2008. Effect of cage height on the welfare of growing rabbits. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 114, 284-295.

The effect of pen size and an enrichment structure (elevated platform) on the performances and behaviour of fattenting rabbits

The use of the platform appears to depend upon the amount of space available; in a large pen, an elevated platform can be utilised as an exercise structure while in a small pen it was used more as simply extra...

Year Published: 2008Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Postollec, G., Boilletot, E., Maurice, R. et al. 2008. The effecto of pen size and an enrichment structure (elevated platform) on the performances and behaviour of fattenting rabbits. Animal Welfare 17, 53-59.

Socialization of Dutch Belted Rabbits for Use in Research

This program includes adaptation to common handling procedures, environmental enrichment devices, and othe materials encountered in the laboratory. .. At seven weeks of age, the rabbits are paired with a partner for two weeks.

Year Published: 2008Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Pritt, S., Wood, J., Fetter, B. et al. 2008. Socialization of Dutch Belted Rabbits for Use in Research. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 13(4), 1-3.

Novel food items as environmental enrichment for rodents and rabbits

This column discusses the use of novel dietary supplements as environmental enrichment for rodents and rabbits. Items are commercially available from lab animal supply companies. The purpose of enrichment is to encourage behaviors that are appropriate for a particular species...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Chinchilla, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Mouse, Other Rodent, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Brown, C. 2009. Novel food items as environmental enrichment for rodents and rabbits. Lab Animal 38(4), 119-120.

Physiology and clinical pathology of laboratory New Zealand white rabbits housed individually and in groups

Rabbits used in the production of antibodies can be housed individually or in groups. This study compared the serum chemistries, antibody production, physiologic plasma cortisol levels, and white blood cell (WBC) counts of female New Zealand White rabbits housed in...

Year Published: 2008Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Fuentes GC, Newgren J. 2008. Physiology and clinical pathology of laboratory New Zealand white rabbits housed individually and in groups. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 47;35-38.

Animal economics: Assessing the motivation of female laboratory rabbits to reach a platform, social contact and food

We used novel techniques for assessing resource value to investigate what additions to a barren cage female laboratory rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, value. We tested motivation to reach two resources that are potentially practical enrichments: a platform (providing a partly enclosed...

Year Published: 2008Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Seaman SC, Waran NK, Mason G. 2008. Animal economics: Assessing the motivation of female laboratory rabbits to reach a platform, social contact and food. Anim Behav. 75;31-42.

Successful pair housing of female New Zealand white rabbits

The veterinary staff at our facility has been working to pair house the female New Zealand white rabbits in our training colony. These rabbits range in size, age, and temperament, which can make finding potential partners difficult, especially since all...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Fuller, A. 2009. Successful pair housing of female New Zealand white rabbits. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 14(4), 2-3.

Rabbit preference for cages and pens with or without mirrors

Five-week-old Pannon White rabbits were housed in a closed climatized rabbitry and randomly assigned to either pens (56 rabbits) having a basic area of 1 m2 with a stocking density of 16 and 12 rabbits/m2 or to 18 individual cages...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Dalle Zotte, A., Princz, Z., Matics, Z. et al. 2009. Rabbit preference for cages and pens with or without mirrors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 116, 273-278.

Rabbit acclimation program: A portrait of love and care

Rabbits were held three times weekly for 5 minutes. A general reduction in stress associated with handling was noticed.

Year Published: 2009Animal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Cisek, A. B. 2009. Rabbit acclimation program: A portrait of love and care. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 105 (Abstract).