ABSTRACT: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 m 2 fl oor 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 m 2 fl oor 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 signifi cant positive correlation between environmental temperature, illumination, ammonia and carbon dioxide gas concentrations and activity of rabbits.

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The cut out and dissection data from 137 carcasses of the Lithuanian slaughter pig population were used to study the impact of carcass weight on the quality of primal carcass cuts, their composition, and meat. The ratio of gilts to barrows, used in the experiment, was 1:1, and the carcass hot weight was recorded within 45 min post mortem in four groups, covering carcass weight range: under 65 kg, 65.1-76.9 kg, 77.0-85.9 kg, 86.0 kg and over. The study indicated that when the carcass weight increased there were increases in the proportion of hams, bellies and tenderloins (p<0.05) and decreases in the proportions of carcass parts of lower value (p<0.001). The increase in the carcass weight decreased the proportion of bones in ham, loin, shoulder (p<0.001) and belly (p=0.062). The highest proportions of lean tissues in the hams, loins, shoulders and bellies were obtained in the group of 77.0-85.9 kg carcass weight. Meat composition was not affected by the carcass weight. CIE

This study aimed at comparing the behaviour of growing bulls from two different breeds – Lithuanian black and white (dairy cattle breed, n=22) and Aubrac (beef cattle breed, n=17). The hypothesis tested in this study was that breed differences would result in differences in the behaviour of the bulls and that a clear understanding of such differences could lead to improved husbandry to meet their needs. Animals were raised in insulated barn in pens with deep litter, both breeds under similar conditions (animals were 11 to 14 month old, each group in separate 100 m2 pen). Aubrac bulls spent more time in standing, ruminating, drinking and aggressive behaviour and less time in eating than the Lithuanian black and white bulls. There were no significant differences in lying and moving behaviour. These differences possibly related to different breed of animals, and should inform decision making about the management of the two breeds studied.