Injuries in cage-bred wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) caused by the size of the orifices in the cage floor

Abstract

The scarcity of wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) as a result of myxomatosis and viral hemorrhagic disease has led to restocking in countries such as Spain, Portugal, and France. Part of such restocking requires animals to be bred in captivity, and the game farms breeding wild rabbits in strict captivity normally use cages designed for domesticated breeds. Given the adaptability of the species to management under controlled conditions (Loliger, 1992; Verga, 2000), the results are satisfactory (GonzalezRedondo, 2003). However, some designs of industrial rabbit-breeding cages do not guarantee the minimum conditions of health and welfare when they are used for wild rabbits because they cause injuries, contravening the main function required of housing: that of securing the animals for prolonged periods free of the risk of producing bodily injuries or diseases (Loliger, 1992). In the absence of literature on the rearing of wild rabbits in cages, the objective of this work was to analyze the unexpected incidence of hind limb injuries in cage-bred wild kits caused by unsuitably-sized orifices in one type of flooring, and to propose improved designs in order to enhance animal welfare at game farms.