Effect of Nest Box Design on Rabbit Does Maternal Behaviour and Production

Abstract

This study was conducted to compare between three nest box designs and their influence on rabbit does maternal behaviour and production, fifteen adult White New Zealand female rabbits were classified into three groups according to nest box design (A, B and C) and each group contains five females. Among 3 nest box designs, the mean frequency of nursing events increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in group C nest box and flash movement duration (sec.) increased significantly (P ≤ 0.01) in group B nest box. The mean body weight (g) of kits at 30 days of age decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.01) in group A nest box. There was no significant difference between the three nest box designs in rabbit does nest quality traits scores before and after parturition and means of prolactin hormone level (ng/ml) at birth and 21 days of age. In light of these results, we could summarize that large or fully opened nest box had a positive effect on nursing events durations (min.), flash movement duration (sec.) and mean body weight (g) of kits at 30 days of age. However, such conditions do not affect other recorded parameters.