Improving rabbit enrichment: Developing a rolling enrichment plan (2018)

Pearson, K., Gant, J.

Abstract

A three-week enrichment preference study trialling different substrates, food and pen structures was carried out in three, group-housed female New Zealand White Rabbits (NZW). Preference results: structural - rabbits spent the most time with a circular table (repurposed empty wooden cable drum); food - rabbits had a preference for the washing line (cabbage hung by wooden pegs from a natural fibre washing line); substrate - rabbits interacted most with straw, ball pit and paper wool nesting material. Behavioural results: Highest percentage reduction in stationary behaviour was seen in the hessian (structural), washing line (food) and paper wool (substrate).