Abstract
Animal welfare is a rising concern in livestock production and to assess the welfare state of an animal, it is needed to consider health, behaviour and emotions. Housing conditions and management normally impair animal welfare at different levels, so developing housing systems and management practices that imply a high level of animal welfare by preserving productive results is a need. Rabbit cages have to be improved in terms of space, enrichment and materials used to promote better conditions, and several alternatives are under evaluation such as increasing available space, providing animals with elevated platforms and hiding spaces, making available gnawing materials or changing cage materials. Moving from individual to collective housing systems to enhance social interaction is also being tested. Most of these alternatives have provided some steps towards better housing and management conditions for rabbits, while some of them have demonstrated to create more problems and have been abandoned. There is still a long way to go on this research topic.
Highlights
Consumers, supermarkets, producers, politicians and other stakeholders are increasingly using the term animal welfare regarding livestock, as the public interest for animal welfare has been arising over the last four decades, especially in Europe
The basics of animal welfare concept and evaluation will be described in depth, providing a scientific basis to assess such a complex topic
Different housing systems will be explored throughout the chapter, considering the implication on animal welfare and productivity
Summary
Supermarkets, producers, politicians and other stakeholders are increasingly using the term animal welfare regarding livestock, as the public interest for animal welfare has been arising over the last four decades, especially in Europe. Rabbit rearing must adapt to these concerns, and re-thinking and re-organising husbandry systems seem needed. We will explore animal welfare in rabbit production from a scientific perspective. The basics of animal welfare concept and evaluation will be described in depth, providing a scientific basis to assess such a complex topic. Rabbits have singular behavioural patterns, physical conditions and social relationships, not comparable to other livestock species, leading to specific needs in terms of housing and management. Different housing systems will be explored throughout the chapter, considering the implication on animal welfare and productivity. Both present and new approaches will be considered
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
