Effect of cage height on the welfare of growing rabbits

The objective of this study was to analyze the preference of rabbits for cages of various heights, their production and occurrence of ear lesions. Experiments were conducted at the University of Kaposvar with Pannon White rabbits. In experiments 1 and 2 (preference test) growing rabbits (n = 112) - weaned at 5 weeks of age - were housed in cage blocks (16 or 12 rabbits/m(2)) having a basic area of 2 m(2). The cage block consisted of four equal size (0.5 m(2)) cages and the rabbits could move freely among the cages through swing doors. The cages only differed in their height: in trial 1 the height of the cages was 20, 30,40 cm or open top, in trial 2 the height of two cages was 30 cm and 40 cm, respectively. The rabbits had a low preference for open top cages, the least number of rabbits chose this cage type independently of the stocking density, age and part of the day (11.7-20.4% vs. 22.0-38.7%; p < 0.001). In trial 1 among the closed cages most of the rabbits stayed in the 40 cm and 20 cm high cage during the active and resting period, respectively independently of the stocking density (p < 0.001). In trial 2 preference for the 30 and 40 cm high cages was the same. In trial 3 the rabbits (n = 156) were kept between the ages 5 and 11 weeks in wire net floor pens having a basic area of 0.86 m(2) (13 rabbits/pen). Similarly to trial 1 the height of the pens was 20, 30 and 40 cm or open top. The cage height had no effect on the rabbits' production. The frequency of the ear lesions connected with aggressive behaviours was the smallest and the greatest in the 30 cm and 20 cm high cages, respectively (p < 0.05). Examining the rabbits' preference, ear lesions connected to aggressive behaviour and production (indicators of well being) it can be concluded that the commonly used 30-35 cm high cages are satisfactory for the growing rabbits. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.