Effect Of Housing System Research Articles

Effect of Housing System on Egg Quality in Laying Hens

Effect of Housing System on Egg Quality in Laying HensThe aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of eggs from hybrids of laying hens of selected Polish breeding strains depending on their housing system. Analysis was made of eggs from KA-62, KA-42, KA-68 and KA-48 hybrids housed in three systems: cage, litter and free range. One hundred eggs, randomly chosen from each experimental group between 34 and 36 weeks of age, were evaluated for a set of physical characteristics such as weight of egg and egg fraction, percentage of main egg fractions, egg shape index, air cell height, albumen height and pH, Haugh units, yolk colour and pH, as well as shell colour, thickness, density and deformation. Caged birds produced the heaviest eggs (61.06 g) with the lowest shape index (77.86%), lightest shell (39.86) and highest percentage of albumen (57.04%) and yolk (29.89%) in the egg. The most favourable quality traits of albumen from the analysed eggs, i.e. greatest height (5.00 mm) and Haugh units (69.70) were characteristic of egg albumen from hens raised on litter. Shell quality analysis showed that the eggs of free-range birds were characterized by the highest weight of shell (5.76 g), which had the greatest thickness (360.14 μm) and density (81.01 mg/cm2). Detailed analysis of the physical characteristics of eggs from the hybrids of laying hens revealed significant (P≤0.05) differences depending on the housing system. The eggs of caged layers showed many characteristics desired by processors. Meanwhile, the eggs of hens kept on litter were characterized by dietetic properties that could meet specific needs of the consumers.

Evaluation of meat quality from 3 turkey genotypes reared with or without outdoor access

To evaluate color [lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*)], water-holding capacity (WHC), and pH values, and for proximate analysis of breast and thigh meats from slow-growing (Bronze; B), fast-growing (Hybrid; H), and medium-growing (crosses; H × B) turkey genotypes raised with or without outdoor access, 36 turkeys (2 females and 2 males from each replicate) per housing system or 12, 16, and 8 turkeys per B, H, and H × B genotype, slaughtered at 17 and 21 wk of age, respectively, were used. Therefore, data were analyzed as a factorial arrangement (2 × 3 × 2 × 2) of treatments. All birds were provided with the same starter, grower, and finisher feeds. Muscle samples were collected at 12 h postmortem for evaluation of meat quality and proximate analysis. Outdoor access increased the a* value and protein content of the breast muscle (P < 0.05) and the b* value of the thigh muscle (P < 0.01). The B and H genotypes had higher (P < 0.01) L* values for the breast meat than did the H × B genotype, whereas the B genotype had lower a* (P < 0.01) and pH (P < 0.01) values for the breast meat or a higher (P < 0.05) pH value for the thigh muscle compared with the H genotype. The breast meat of the B genotype was more yellow (P < 0.01) than that of the H and H × B genotype. Thigh meat from the H genotype had a higher L* value and a lower a* value than did thigh meat from the other genotypes (P < 0.01). Thigh meat from the H × B genotype was higher in protein and lower in fat than was thigh meat from the B and H genotypes, respectively (P < 0.05). No interaction effect of housing system and genotype was observed on the parameters studied (P > 0.05). These results show that housing system did not affect the main quality parameters (pH, water-holding capacity, and L* values) of either muscle, and that genotype created more differences in terms of these parameters.

Effect of housing system, slaughter weight and slaughter strategy on carcass and meat quality, sex organ development and androstenone and skatole levels in Duroc finished entire male pigs

This study aimed at evaluating the effect of housing system (HS), slaughter weight (SW) and strategy (SS) on carcass a nd meat quality, sexual organ development and boar taint in entire males. Twelve pens of 10 pigs were used (two trials). Half of male pens were allowed visual contact with females (MF) and half with males (MM). Half MM or MF were slaughtered at 105 or 130kg in trial 1, or penwise or by split marketing in trial 2 at 120kg. Housing system showed no significant effect on carcass or meat quality. MF presented significantly longer testicles and heavier bulbourethral glands compared to MM. The distribution of androstenone and skatole levels was affected by SW but not by HS or SS, samples with androstenone >1μg/g of the different groups falling within the range of 16 to 22%. All correlations between androstenone and sex organs were significant. Housing system and slaughter strategy did not reduce the risk of boar tainted carcasses.

Effects of housing system on welfare and milk yield and quality of Girgentana goats

In the past years, in Sicily, goats of the Girgentana breed have decreased so drastically in number that they risked extinction. Among the causes, particular blame can be laid at the traditional housing system, in which the goats, after coming back from pasture, were tethered in individual wooden stalls. Such a system is still considered necessary by breeders in order to avoid aggressive and harmful behaviour on the part of the animals, due to the presence of their long horns (Giaccone et al., 1994). This belief negatively interferes with the action recently initiated for the recovery and regeneration of the breed (Portolano et al., 2002); in fact, the tie stalls housing, increasing manpower, limits the increase in size in herds of Girgentana goats...

Effects of rearing system and genotype on intramuscular collagen properties of pigs

In the past few years there has been an increasing interest in animal products originating from rearing systems that could be considered ‘natural’ or ‘traditional’, and niche market opportunities are available for pork produced with socially-acceptable assurances. Nevertheless, research comparing the effects of housing systems (outdoors vs indoors) on pork tenderness has yielded conflicting results, perhaps due to geographical location, climate and genotypes evaluated (Beattie et al., 2000; Gentry et al., 2001; Guy and Edwards, 2001)...

Effects of housing system and age of laying hens on egg performance in fresh pasta production: pasta cooking behaviour

Very few studies concern the effects of layer housing systems and age on egg technological properties. Thus the aim of this work was to study the influence of these two factors on egg performance in fresh pasta production, focusing on pasta cooking behaviour. Samples of pasta subjected to analysis were prepared with eggs laid by Hy-Line Brown hens (from 27 to 68 weeks old) housed in cage, barn and organic systems. Higher average values of weight increase and matter loss during pasta cooking were observed for samples prepared with eggs laid by older hens. Such cooking behaviour indicated the development of a weaker pasta protein network, resulting from a decrease in the quantity of albumen protein and an increase in fat content, which is due to the reduction in albumen/yolk ratio during hen aging. The housing system had a significant effect only on matter loss in cooking water, but differences between samples were so small as to be unlikely perceived by consumers. Both hen age and housing system significantly affected pasta cooking behaviour, but the greatest effect was exerted by the hen age.

Effect of housing system (wire cage versus group-housing) and in-house air quality parameters on the behaviour of fattening rabbits

In the same room of an experimental rabbit house 2 housing systems were compared, namely three pens to keep rabbits on bedding and six wire cages for unbedded rabbit keeping. In total, 69 New Zealand White crossbred rabbits 8-12 wk old were used in the study. The rabbits were kept in groups with 0.6 m2 floor area per animal in pens with thinly scattered straw. Wire cages had no bedding and there were 4 rabbits in each cage and 0.4 m2 floor area per rabbit. The study lasted for 8 wk. Rabbit behaviour was observed once 1 wk for 24 h. Behaviour was recorded using a scan sampling every hour. Results were analysed by calculating the percentage frequency of each behaviour. Behaviour analysis according to the keeping method indicated that rabbits kept on bedding spent on average less time resting and grooming (41.53 % and 5.18 % vs. 53.60 % and 8.48 %) and more time eating (29.86 % vs. 18.03 %, respectively) in comparison with those kept in wire cages. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between environmental temperature, illumination, ammonia and carbon dioxide gas concentrations and activity of rabbits.

Comparison of the welfare of layer hens in 4 housing systems in the UK

1. The welfare of hens in 26 flocks (6 conventional cage, 6 furnished cage, 7 barn, 7 free-range) was assessed throughout the laying period using a combination of data on physical health, physiology and injurious pecking, collected by researchers on farm and during post-mortem analysis, and information submitted by producers. 2. There was an effect of housing system on 5 of the indicators recorded by researchers: gentle feather pecks given, feather damage score, proportion of hens with feather damage, proportion of the flock using perches, and faecal corticosterone. 3. Post-mortem analysis revealed several differences between housing systems in skin damage, plumage damage to the vent and abdomen, keel protrusion, bodyweight, and the proportion of hens that were vent pecked and that had old and recent keel fractures. 4. There was an effect of housing system on 5 indicators recorded by producers: proportion of egg shells with calcification spots, proportion of egg shells with blood stains, weight of hens found dead, temporal change in the proportion of egg shells with stains, and temporal change in proportion of hens found dead. 5. Each housing system had positive and negative aspects but overall, hens in barn systems had the highest prevalence of poor plumage condition, old fractures, emaciation, abnormal egg calcification, and the highest corticosterone. Hens in conventional cages sustained more fractures at depopulation than birds in other systems. Vent pecking was most prevalent in free-range flocks. The lowest prevalence of problems occurred in hens in furnished cages. 6. Although housing system had an influence on the hens’ physical condition and physiological state, the high prevalence of emaciation, loss of plumage, fractures and evidence of stress is of concern across all housing systems, and suggests that the welfare of modern genotypes is poor.

The effects of housing system and feeding level on the joint-specific prevalence of osteochondrosis in fattening pigs

Osteochondrosis (OC) is seen as the main cause of leg weakness in pigs, leading to welfare problems and economic losses. Environmental factors in pig husbandry, such as the housing system and feeding strategy are expected to influence the prevalence of OC. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of housing system and feeding strategy on the prevalence and severity of OC. In the experiment 345 pigs were used. At an age of 69 days intact boars and gilts were separated and assigned to groups of five or six individuals. A two by two factorial design of housing system and feeding strategy was applied. The housing system was either a conventional concrete floor partial slatted, or a deep litter floor with extra space allowance. The feeding strategy was either ad libitum or restricted to 80% of ad libitum. Pigs were slaughtered at the age of 161–176 days. In total, five joints of the left front and hind limbs were macroscopically assessed for OC on a five-point scale, ranged from no OC through (semi-)loose cartilage fragments. The prevalence of OC in the experimental population was 41.4%, and 12.4% of the individuals had severe lesions. The tarsocrural joint was most affected (30.2%) by OC. OC scores between the different joints were not correlated. Medial sections of joints were most affected (63–100%). Boars were more affected than gilts in the elbow joint. Conventionally housed pigs were more affected than deep litter housed pigs. Ad libitum fed pigs had more OC than restrictedly fed pigs. OC was most prevalent with 57.5% in the pigs on the conventional floor with ad libitum feeding. OC was least prevalent with 33.7% in pigs kept in deep litter housing with restricted feeding. The sex, housing system and feeding strategy did not affect OC in the femoropatellar, metacarpophalangeal, and metatarsophalangeal joints. Our results demonstrate that the OC prevalence can be reduced by applying deep litter floors with extra space allowance and/or restricted feeding in fattening pigs.

Effects of housing and short-term transportation on hormone and lymphocyte receptor concentrations in beef cattle

The experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of housing system and short-term transportation on the pituitary and adrenal response and on blood progesterone concentrations of beef cattle. Since the use of steroid hormones in farm animals has been banned in the EU (Council Directive 96/22/EC), it seems important to study the possible modifications in serum progesterone concentrations induced by stress in cattle. Thirty-two, 6 months old male Piedmontese beef cattle (16 reared in a littered loose house, Group A, and 16 housed in a littered tying stall barn, Group B) were blood sampled at T1 (6 months old), T2 (12 months old), T3 (18 months old, before transportation to the slaughterhouse) and T4 (after transportation to the slaughterhouse) in order to measure hormonal concentrations and lymphocyte glucocorticoid (GR) and β-adrenergic (β-AR) receptor concentrations. Circulating hormone concentrations were measured using commercial radioimmunoassay kits, whereas lymphocyte receptor density was determined through binding assays. In beef cattle housed in tie stall barn a significant increase in serum cortisol concentration was observed at T3, whereas there was no effect of the housing system on blood progesterone concentrations. Short-term transportation caused a significant increase in blood cortisol and catecholamine concentrations in both groups, whereas lymphocyte GR and β-AR significantly decreased in Group A. Our data confirm the activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and the catecholaminergic system in short-term transportation and suggest that the stress-induced increase in circulating progesterone concentrations does not exceed the limit established by pending legislation.

Effect of environment on Pekin duck behaviour and its correlation with body condition on commercial farms in the UK

1. Forty-six flocks of commercially-reared Pekin ducks were studied to determine the effects of housing system and environment on the behaviour of farmed ducks and its correlation with physical condition. Houses differed predominantly in their ventilation, drinking, feeding and brooding systems, and were indicative of systems currently in use in the UK. 2. At 41 d of age ducks spent 1⋅5% of the time feeding, 6⋅7% drinking, 4⋅2% rooting and 15⋅5% dry preening. They spent large amounts of time relatively inactive, 43⋅5%, or performing comfort behaviours, 17%. On average 4⋅6% of their time was spent walking and only 1⋅8% wet preening. 3. A greater proportion of the maximum number of ducks able to use the drinker at any one time used the trough; nipple use was least and Plasson use intermediate. The proportion of ducks wet preening was not affected by drinker type but increased with increasing drinker space (mm/bird). 4. Duck behaviour was little affected by commercial production system and was influenced more by environment, age and physical condition. Activity at an older age incorporated more of the behaviours associated with thermal comfort (panting) and maintenance of plumage condition (dry and wet preening). These behaviours increased with increasing temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric ammonia. Poor walking ability was correlated to increased frequency of panting, reduced activity at the drinker, and longer resting bouts.

Effect of Housing System (Battery Cages Versus Floor Pen) on Performance of Laying Hens under Tropical Conditions in Congo Brazzaville

Effect of Housing System (Battery Cages Versus Floor Pen) on Performance of Laying Hens under Tropical Conditions in Congo Brazzaville

Bacteriological contamination, dirt, and cracks of eggshells in furnished cages and noncage systems for laying hens: An international on-farm comparison

For laying hens, the effects of housing system on bacterial eggshell contamination and eggshell quality is almost exclusively studied in experimental hen houses. The aim of this study was to compare eggshell hygiene and quality under commercial conditions. Six flocks of laying hens in furnished cages and 7 flocks in noncage systems were visited when hens were about 60 wk of age. Farms from Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany were included in the study. The following parameters were determined on eggs sampled at the egg belts: 1) bacterial eggshell contamination, as expressed by total count of aerobic bacteria and number of Enterobacteriaceae; 2) proportion of dirty eggs; and 3) proportion of cracked eggs and eggs with microcracks. Considerable within-flock differences were found in eggshell contamination with total count of aerobic bacteria, both for furnished cages (P < or = 0.001, range 4.24 to 5.22 log cfu/eggshell) and noncage systems (P < or = 0.001, range 4.35 to 5.51 log cfu/eggshell). On average, lower levels of contamination with total count of aerobic bacteria (4.75 vs. 4.98 log cfu/eggshell; P < or = 0.001) were found on eggshells from furnished cages compared with noncage systems. Concerning Enterobacteriaceae, no significant difference in average eggshell contamination between both systems could be shown. The total percentage of cracked eggs was higher (P < or = 0.01) in furnished cages (7.8%) compared with noncage systems (4.1%). This was, however, due to the high percentage of cracked eggs (24%) observed on one of the furnished cage farms. We conclude that bacteriological eggshell contamination and percentage of cracked eggs differed substantially between individual farms using the same housing system. This may also explain some discrepancies between the findings of the present study versus some findings of previous experimental studies or studies on a small number of farms. Although statistically significant, the average differences in bacteriological contamination of nest eggs between both housing systems have limited microbiological relevancy.

Effects of Housing Systems on Growth Performance, Blood Plasma Constituents and Meat Fatty Acids in Broiler Chickens

A research was conducted to determine the influence of the conventional and the free-range broiler housing systems using female broiler chicks had low hatching weight on growth performance, breast meat characteristics and some blood plasma parameters. In the conventional (totally confined) housing system sixty one-day-old female Ross broiler chicks were placed in indoor floor pens with three replicates of 20 chicks. In the free-range (partly-confined) housing system, sixty one-day-old Ross broiler chicks were placed in indoor floor pens and also accessed to a grass paddock during 44 day experimental period after 7 days old. Birds of both systems were fed the same commercial broiler diet. The free-range housing system significantly decreased the total feed intake and body weight of broilers (p<0.05). The redness (a* color) and yellowness (b* color) in breast meat were affected by the housing systems (p<0.05). The housing systems had no affect on fatty acids composition of breast meat (p>0.05). The plasma triglyceride and VLDL levels of the conventional reared birds were significantly higher than those reared the free-range (p<0.05). In conclusion, longer growth period was necessary to the free-range reared broilers.

Effects of Housing System and Age on Early Stage Egg Production and Quality in Commercial Laying Hens

2grazing area per bird). The effect of age on measured traits was investigated with 4 weeks intervals. Four replicates containing each 40 birds were designed for both of free-range and cage systems. The egg production and cracked egg percentage, daily feed intake and feed consumption per produced egg were different between housing systems. Regardless the housing system; daily feed intake and feed intake per produced egg increased, while egg production, cracked egg percentage decreased by the age of layer. Interactions between layer age and housing systems were found significant for egg production, cracked egg percentage, albumen index, albumen pH and haugh unit parameters. Yolk color (P<0.03) was considerably darker and shell thickness was significantly greater (P<0.01) in free-range eggs while albumen pH was significantly higher (P<0.01) in cage group. We concluded that egg production and quality traits were significantly affected by the housing system furthermore, maintaining external and internal egg quality parameters in constant state especially in free-range system appeared to be difficult.

Blood Plasma Mineral Profile and Qualitative Indicators of the Eggshell in Laying Hens in Different Housing Systems

The aim of this study was to compare the blood plasma mineral profile (Ca, P, K, Mg, Zn, Cu and Se) and egg-shell quality (eggshell weight, eggshell breaking strength and thickness) of laying hens housed in three different housing systems (traditional cage system, enriched cage system and deep litter system). In each housing system, 12 ISA Brown laying hens were observed during the laying period from week 22 to 75 of age. The effect (p &lt; 0.05 and p &lt; 0.01) of age and/or phase of the laying cycle on all mineral concentrations was determined. Eggshell breaking strength decreased (p &lt; 0.001) with the age of birds. The results of this study indicate that the housing systems compared had no significant effect on the blood plasma mineral profile of laying hens under study and the values were within the physiological range. However, a significant effect of housing system on eggshell breaking strength and eggshell weight was found. Improved eggshell quality was obtained in most periods of the laying cycle in the enriched cage systems.

Meat quality and fatty acid profile of M. longissimus dorsi of growing bulls under insulated, uninsulated and outdoor housing conditions

The objective of the present study was to compare the colour, chemical composition, meat quality and fatty acid profile of the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle of growing bulls housed in an insulated tie-stall, an uninsulated barn or a forest paddock. Two housing experiments were conducted at the North Ostrobothnia Research Station of MTT Agrifood Research Finland in Ruukki (64°44’N, 25°15’E). The first experiment was conducted from November 1999 to October 2000 and comprised 30 Hereford bulls, the second from November 2000 to December 2001 with 30 Ayrshire bulls. In both experiments the bulls were divided into six groups of five animals according to live weight and the groups were randomly allotted to one of three treatments: tie-stall in an insulated barn (IB bulls, ten animals/individual stall), uninsulated barn (UB bulls, five animals/pen, two pens) and forest paddock (PAD bulls, five animals/paddock, two paddocks). Nine carcasses from experiment 1 (three/treatment) and twelve from experiment 2 (four/treatment) were randomly selected for meat quality analyses. After slaughter, the carcasses were cooled for 24h at 2 °C and LD samples were taken by complete cross-section between the 12th and 13th ribs. The results were calculated across the two experiments and analysed as one data. There were no differences between housing environments in temperature or pH of the LD or meat moisture, fat or protein composition of the LD. Instead, the myoglobin content of the LD was 21% higher in PAD bulls than in IB bulls (p &lt; 0.05). Between IB and UB bulls there was no difference in meat myoglobin content and there were no significant (p &lt; 0.05) differences between housing environments in the colour of the LD. However, the muscle tended to be 6% lighter (L-value) in IB bulls than in PAD bulls (p = 0.09). There were no significant differences in shear force or sensory analysis (tenderness, juiciness, overall flavour) between treatments. The LD of the PAD bulls contained a higher proportion of 18:2 and 18:3 fatty acids compared to that of IB bulls (p &lt; 0.05). There were no significant differences in the saturated fatty acid (SFA) or monounsaturated fatty acid proportions of the LD between treatments. Instead, the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) proportion of the LD was 34% higher in PAD bulls than in IB bulls (p &lt; 0.05). The PUFA:SFA ratio was higher in PAD bulls than in IB bulls (p &lt; 0.05) but there was no difference in the PUFA:SFA ratio between UB and IB bulls. In conclusion, there were no important effects of housing system on the meat quality characteristics of the LD, although according to meat fatty acid profiles, outdoor housed bulls produced meat with a higher PUFA:SFA ratio than tethered bulls in an insulated barn.;

Effects of Tethering and Loose Housing on the Meat Quality of Hanwoo Bulls

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of housing system on the carcass and meat qualities of Hanwoo (Korean cattle) bulls. Fourteen 6 months-old male calves were randomly divided into two groups. The first group was individually tethered using double neck-bar tethers. The second group was collectively loose-housed in the pen. They were raised for 15 months prior to slaughter. At 24 h post-slaughter chilling, the carcasses were weighed and evaluated by official grader for carcass traits. At 48 h post-slaughter chilling, the M. longissimus at the 12-13 th thoracic vertebra from each carcass was collected and stored at 4±0.2°C for 7 days for meat quality analysis. There were no significant differences in dressing percentage and carcass yield index between groups. Meat from loose bulls had lower marbling score (p<0.05) and fat content (p<0.01) but higher PUFA concentration (p<0.001) than that from tethered bulls. There were no significant differences physical and sensory properties, aroma pattern, TBARS value, metmyoglobin concentration and CIE color values during refrigerated storage between groups. Compared to tethering, loose-housing bulls produced lower fat content and healthier meat without different physical properties, acceptability, and lipid and color stabilities.

Desempenho, características de carcaça, qualidade da carne e condição sanitária de suínos criados nas fases de crescimento e terminação nos sistemas confinado convencional e de cama sobreposta

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do sistema de alojamento sobre o desempenho zootécnico, as características da carcaça, a qualidade da carne e a condição sanitária de suínos criados em seis diferentes sistemas. Foram usados 803 suínos mestiços MS58 x (Landrace x Large White) em sete lotes seqüenciais no tempo, avaliando as fases de creche e de crescimento-terminação. Na creche, foram avaliados três tipos de alojamento: confinado convencional (CO); cama sobreposta-(CS); e sistema intensivo de suínos criados ao ar livre (SISCAL). No crescimento-terminação, foram avaliados apenas dois tipos de alojamento (CO e CS), sendo o último subdividido em três substratos (palha de trigo-PT, casca de arroz-CA e serragem-SE). Para a análise estatística foi considerado no modelo os efeitos de lote, o tratamento (combinação de tipos de alojamento na creche e no crescimento-terminação), idade dos suínos (84, 105, 126, 147 e 160 dias) e a interação tratamento x idade. Suínos alojados no sistema CO apresentaram maior (P&lt;0,05) ganho de peso diário (824 vs. 779g), maior peso de carcaça quente (75 vs. 69kg) e maior espessura de toucinho (18, vs. 17mm) do que os criados sobre cama todavia estes suínos apresentaram peso do conteúdo estomacal significativamente (P&lt;0,05) maior (360 vs. 204g) e menor grau de lesão do estômago do que aqueles alojados em tratamento convencional, embora com maior prevalência de espirro. O sistema de alojamento não afetou os aspectos sanitários avaliados, contudo, suínos alojados em cama sobreposta no crescimento-terminação apresentaram desempenho e características de carcaça inferiores àqueles do sistema convencional, independentemente do sistema de alojamento utilizado na creche.

Response of fattening rabbits reared under different housing conditions. 2. Carcass and meat quality

This 2 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to study the effects of housing system (pair caged – cage – : 2 rabbits/0.122 m 2 vs open top pen housed – pen – : 13 rabbits/0.86 m 2; same stocking density), floor type (wire mesh vs plastic net), and environmental enrichment (with vs without gnawing stick) on the meat quality of Pannon White growing rabbits ( n = 64). The housing system significantly influenced slaughter weight (2590 vs 2531 g in cage or pen, respectively; P < 0.01), reference carcass (RC) weight (1266 vs 1234 g; in cage or pen, respectively; P < 0.05), and the hind leg meat to bone ratio (6.11 vs 5.62 in cage or pen, respectively, P < 0.001). The animals reared in pens showed paler meat with lower pH u than that of those reared paired in cages. Hind leg meat dry matter and protein content were also influenced by the housing system (26.3 vs 25.9%, 21.9 vs 21.6%; in cage or pen, respectively; P < 0.05). Pen housed rabbits had significantly heavier femur and tibia bone weight and higher fracture toughness than pair caged rabbits. Floor type affected the fore part/RC weight ratio (29.2 vs 29.6% of the RC on plastic net or wire mesh, respectively). Gnawing stick presence increased slaughter yield (59.0 vs 58.3%; P < 0.05), RC weight (1266 vs 1236 g; P < 0.05) and the forepart/RC ratio (29.6 vs 29.2% RC; P < 0.05) while significantly reducing the meat colour b⁎ value and increasing m. Longissimus dorsi shear force (0.60 vs 0.50 kg/cm 2; P < 0.01). The hind leg meat fatty acid profile was only slightly influenced by experimental factors. Although this study showed pair caged rabbits to have increased carcass weight with better meatiness and other meat quality traits, hind leg bone strength was shown to be higher in pen housed rabbits.