Cage size and enrichment effects on the bone quality and fluctuating asymmetry of fattening rabbits

Journal of Animal Science
S BuijsF A M Tuyttens

Abstract

We studied the effect of increased cage size on different aspects of bone quality (bone strength, diameter, weight, and length) and fluctuating asymmetry (FA). Such characteristics may indicate improved animal welfare, as greater bone quality may decrease fracture incidence during handling, whereas decreased FA has been suggested to signal decreased stress. As stress is likely not only influenced by the quantity of space, but also by its quality, we also studied the effect of environmental enrichment. Groups of 8 rabbits were housed in wire open-top cages of 0.40, 0.46, 0.53, 0.64, 0.80, 1.07, and 1.60 m(2) from weaning until slaughter. All cages of 0.40 and 0.46 m(2) (12 cages/size) were left barren to allow sufficient mobility. One-half of the larger cages were enriched with a wooden-enrichment structure that could be used to gnaw on, hide in, or lie in (6 cages per size × enrichment treatment). Increased cage size led to an increase in tibiofibula diameter (P = 0.008), a tendency for increased tibiofibula weight (P = 0.051), and decreased FA (P = 0.010), suggesting improved welfare. Bone length and strength were not affected by cage size (P > 0.1). Enrichment did not affect FA (P > 0.1), in contrast with our expectations bas...Continue Reading

Citations

Sep 19, 2014·Animal : an International Journal of Animal Bioscience·S BuijsF A M Tuyttens
Oct 3, 2013·PloS One·Charles T T EdwardsDavid W Macdonald
Jul 7, 2020·EFSA Journal·UNKNOWN EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW)Christoph Winckler

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