Environmental Enrichment in Rabbit Husbandry: Comparative Impacts on Performance and Welfare

El-Sabrout, Karim; Sherasiya, Anjum; Ahmad, Sohail; Aggag, Sarah; Nannoni, Eleonora; Cavallini, Damiano; Buonaiuto, Giovanni

doi:10.3390/ani14162367

Animals

2024

DOI: 10.3390/ani14162367

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Environmental Enrichment in Rabbit Husbandry: Comparative Impacts on Performance and Welfare

Karim El-Sabrout,

Anjum Sherasiya,

Sohail Ahmad

et al.

Abstract: Rabbits are highly susceptible to environmental stress. Such stress, stemming from conventional housing conditions, can negatively impact well-being and productivity. Some of these negative consequences are increased susceptibility to diseases and infections and reduced growth rates and reproductive performance, as well as increased behavioral issues such as aggression. Environmental enrichment is the modification of the environment in which a domesticated animal lives in order to meet the species’ behavioral … Show more

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Cited by 5 publications

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Dynamics of the Thermal Environment in Climate-Controlled Poultry Houses for Broiler Chickens

Ferreira,

Campos,

Ferraz

et al. 2024

AgriEngineering

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The implementation of poultry houses with enhanced control over environmental variables represents a solution to the growing demands for production and animal welfare. This study assessed the internal environment of dark-house poultry houses for broilers on a weekly basis throughout a production cycle. Data were collected over six weeks, from March to April 2016 involving 40,000 Cobb500TM broilers. A Hobo® datalogger continuously monitored the temperature (°C), relative humidity (%), dew point temperature (°C), and black globe temperature (°C) at 15 min intervals. The indices analyzed included the temperature and humidity index (THI), the black globe and humidity index (BGHI), and enthalpy (H). In the first week, both the THI and BGHI indicated favorable conditions for the birds, with the THI ranging from 72.4 to 80 and the BGHI from 77 to 81.6. Between the second and fifth weeks, the THI conditions varied between thermal comfort and discomfort, from 56.6 to 72. In the sixth week, all indices indicated discomfort, reflecting increased metabolism and population density. The dark-house system demonstrated a feed efficiency of 51%, an accumulated mortality rate of 1.97%, and a total production of 99,873 kg of meat. The study highlights the importance of continuously monitoring and adjusting environmental conditions to optimize production and enhance bird welfare.

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Dynamics of the Thermal Environment in Climate-Controlled Poultry Houses for Broiler Chickens

Ferreira,

Campos,

Ferraz

et al. 2024

AgriEngineering

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Nutritional Value of Oregano-Based Products and Its Effect on Rabbit Performance and Health

Abd El-Aziz,

Elfadadny,

Abo Ghanima

et al. 2024

Animals

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Antimicrobials long been used to enhance the performance and immunity of rabbits, typically by adding them to feed or drinking water to prevent illness. However, increasing consumer concerns about antibiotic-resistant microorganisms have led to a shift toward natural, eco-friendly, non-antibiotic feed supplements that can improve rabbit health and productivity. Recently, aromatic herbs and their extracts have gained considerable attention as natural antioxidants with growth-promoting and health-boosting properties. Essential oils and secondary metabolites play a central role in these effects, with Origanum vulgare (oregano) emerging as a standout option. Compared to synthetic alternatives, oregano is a natural, residue-free feed supplement with fewer harmful side effects. Its key bioactive components, thymol and carvacrol, have been shown to deliver significant benefits when incorporated into rabbit diets, particularly in improving production performance, immunity, and antioxidant capacity. Supplementing rabbit diets and drinking water with oregano essential oil (OEO) has been found to enhance growth performance, feed efficiency, and meat quality, while also lowering cholesterol levels and boosting antioxidant activity. Despite these promising results, research on the use of oregano in rabbit farming remains limited. This review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the potential effect of oregano supplements, on growth parameters, carcass and meat quality, hemato-biochemical parameters, antioxidant capacity, immunity response, gut health, and gene expression in rabbits.

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Clinical Pathology Evaluation in Pet Rabbits Vaccinated Against Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2)

Griffin,

Locke,

Montiani-Ferreira

et al. 2024

Animals

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A recombinant vaccine for rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2, a highly pathogenic virus, was granted emergency use authorization in the United States after the detection and spread of the virus starting in 2018. The goal of the current study was to assess pet rabbits (n = 29) through physical examination and routine clinical pathology testing using repeated assessments post-vaccination. In addition, seroconversion was also monitored after the initial vaccination and booster vaccination. Neither owners nor clinicians detected any physical abnormalities in relationship to the vaccine protocol. Hematological and clinical biochemistry testing showed some changes although median values were within species specific reference intervals. A significant increase in antibody levels was observed at day 21 (post-initial vaccination) and day 49 (post-booster vaccination) versus that present at baseline (p < 0.0001). However, variability in study rabbits was noted with some individuals showing low antibody levels as well as a lower overall response in older rabbits (r = −0.56, p = 0.006). A second cohort of rabbits was assessed at 11–12 months post-initial vaccination. In this second group, antibody levels were not significantly different from baseline levels (p = 0.21). Additional studies should be conducted to further define the variability in seroconversion and the term of protection in pet rabbits as the industry moves forward in the optimization of RHDV2 vaccines.

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Environmental Enrichment in Rabbit Husbandry: Comparative Impacts on Performance and Welfare

Cited by 5 publications

References 74 publications

Dynamics of the Thermal Environment in Climate-Controlled Poultry Houses for Broiler Chickens

Dynamics of the Thermal Environment in Climate-Controlled Poultry Houses for Broiler Chickens

Nutritional Value of Oregano-Based Products and Its Effect on Rabbit Performance and Health

Clinical Pathology Evaluation in Pet Rabbits Vaccinated Against Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2)

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