Group housing in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is not explicitly required by the law, but it would be benefi-cial for the socially living rabbits. Especially during reproduction, aggressive behaviour is part of the natural social behaviour of group housed breeding rabbits. Injuries caused by those conflicts cannot be completely ruled out, but they should not be provoked by inappropriate housing conditions and management.
In the AI (artificial insemination) management with 42-days reproduction rhythm on Swiss farms the does are being held singly from the 30th day of pregnancy, just before the expected littering date, until 12 days after birth, when they are inseminated. So far the consequences of this new reproduction method on agonistic behaviour, injuries and stress are not clear.
The first goal of the project is to gain knowledge of the level of agonistic behaviour in group housed rabbit does through extensive data collection and surveys on 26 farms. Secondly the consequences of introducing unfamiliar animals when regrouping the does in the context of AI-management on aggressive behaviour, lesions and physiological stress parameters are investigated with an experimental study. In another experi-ment concerning regrouping the effect of an applied odorous substance on the animals on their aggressive behaviour will be tested. The findings regarding management should help to minimize problems with agonis-tic behaviour in group housed rabbits.
In particular the project should also give a contribution in regard to the evaluation of an open request for the authorization of a group housing system. Additionally it should serve the promotion of alternative housing systems for breeding rabbits as well as supporting the research strategy of the Council of Europe.
