ANIMAL-WELFARE IN HOUSING SYSTEMS FOR LAR GER AND SMALLER UNITS OF FATTENING RABBITS

In the present study three new group housing systems for fattening rab bits kept in smaller and larger units were evaluated with respect to t he animal welfare as stated in the Swiss Regulations about animal prot ection. Judgement of animal welfare was based on the results of two pr actical examinations in which abnormal behaviour and injuries were ele vated. To determine proper keeping evaluation criterions and their lim its were set. In the examined housing systems no problems concerning l ocomotory and occupation behaviour, resting and hiding places were fou nd. But in a few larger groups social problems occurred by the end of the fattening period. Hence heavy injuries were found before day 80 of life. These problems concerning aggressive behaviour and injuries may be explained by the accelerated sexual development (determined by str ain, by housing conditions or by the presence of adult females) or the difficulty for the young rabbits to establish steady dominance hierar chies in this social environment and under the given conditions. These findings raise the question which factors are responsible for the dif ficulties.