Évaluation d’aménagements des logements visant à améliorer le bien-être des lapins en croissance et des lapines
Year: 2023
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: The rabbit industry aims to improve the welfare of rabbits without compromising the economic viability, the health status and the ergonomic of the farms. The 3L project (Living Lab Lapins) identified and evaluated the relevance of improvements to better meet the rabbits’ behavioural needs: gnawing (gnawing block), hiding (opaque roof on nests), isolation (platform), standing up (raising the cage), jumping (communication hatches between 4 to 6 cages, platform), resting on a comfortable floor (plastic mat). Six commercial farms were equipped (8 to 12 improved cages were assessed in each farm). Rabbit welfare was assessed 1 week before slaughter, adapted from the EBENE® method. The health status was recorded on all rabbits in the studied cages (7 to 12 rabbit does and 68 fattening rabbits per farm in average). Behaviors were observed by scan sampling for female rabbits and ad libitum for growing rabbits. Behavioral data was analyzed by non-parametric tests. Weight and reproductive performance were evaluated by the farmers. Two focus group were organised to collect the farmer’s point of view. The hatches, platforms and higher cages increased movements (2.7 times more on average, p-value=0.004), stands up (5.4 times more on average, p-value=0.02) and hops (4.6 times more on average, p-value=0.05). Gnawing blocks and platforms were not often used by the rabbits and no rabbit does was observed climbing on the platform. These results were confirmed by the farmers. The enrichments had no effect on the health status, the weight or the reproductive performance. The enrichments were compatible with polyvalent rooms, but the farmers highlighted some ergonomic issues (roof handling, animal handling, cleaning). The innovations meet some of the behavioural needs of the rabbits, without compromising their health, even if some improvements need to be done to improve ergonomics and working conditions.
Source: HAL
Language: English
Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7204676140