AIR-QUALITY IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF INTENSIVELY REARED FATTENING RABBITS

In this study the environment in an intensive rabbit rearing unit was monitored during the fattening period. Concentrations and trends were determined for some pollutants harmful to animal health and welfare (d usts, moulds and yeasts), about which not enough is known. Environment al dust collection was effected with six instruments (respirable and t otal dust) at three different places in the rearing station. Aerial mo ulds and yeasts were collected on Petri dishes using a Surface Air Sys tem (SAS) to capture microorganisms. Internal and external temperature s and relative humidities were also measured. Productive performance o f all the animals was recorded and after slaughtering the lungs were e xamined for micro- and macroscopic lesions which were related to the e nvironmental conditions. Given that respiratory problems in intensive rearing are pathologies conditioned by environment, the low occurrence of macroscopic changes to the lungs and slight evidence of bacterial growth suggested that the living conditions examined are satisfactory for this husbandry system. On the other hand, we consider that the spe cies belonging to the genera Cladosporium and Alternaria present in th is intensive system are those generally held responsible for diseases of the respiratory system.