WELFARE AND THE INTENSIVE PRODUCTION OF RABBITS

Citation
Jp. Morisse et R. Maurice, WELFARE AND THE INTENSIVE PRODUCTION OF RABBITS, Revue scientifique et technique - Office international des epizooties, 13(1), 1994, pp. 143-152
Citations number
NO
Categorie Soggetti
Veterinary Sciences
ISSN journal
02531933
Volume
13
Issue
1
Year of publication
1994
Pages
143 - 152
Database
ISI
SICI code
0253-1933(1994)13:1<143:WATIPO>2.0.ZU;2-3
Abstract
Rabbit production in Europe is concentrated largely in the ''Latin'' c ountries of Italy, France and Spain, in which animal protectionist att itudes are considered moderate. However, in the case of rabbits, the i ntensification of husbandry necessitates strict observance of physiolo gical, behavioural and health requirements, in view of the very specia l needs of the, species and the sensitivity of rabbits to environmenta l conditions. Rabbits are described as anxious, timid and emotional, w ith unusual arrangements for reproduction (induced ovulation) and dige stion (caecotrophy). Therefore, these animals could not be reared inte nsively until the completion of extensive research, which has been con ducted over the past twenty years, into the environmental and nutritio nal needs of rabbits, and the selection of lines having a calm tempera ment and maternal aptitude. This research was required to meet the wel fare needs of this species. These concepts are perfectly integrated in to the current operation of intensive units, and should not be brought into question on the basis of fragmentary observations by some resear chers who would wish to see a return to rearing on litter. A discussio n of rabbit welfare conducted in 1992 by specialists of the German bra nch of the World Rabbit Science Association approved modern methods of keeping rabbits on wire grids, provided that some changes were made t o current procedures.