Welfare aspects in rabbit rearing and transport

Abstract

The review starts with the description of the rabbits' (Oryctolagus cuniculus) main habits and the current situation concerning the rabbit husbandry and management systems, as well as their effects on the welfare of these animals. As far as the intensive rabbit husbandry systems are concerned, the main problems are related to the time since rabbits have been domesticated and their adaptive capacity and coping styles as respects the farming environment and management systems. Both these aspects have implications in the present and future of rabbit rearing for different purposes. Examples are given on the effects of different housing and management systems on rabbit welfare, as well as examples of the ethological, physiological and productive indicators used to evaluate these effects. Transportation and, more generally, preslaughter phases including catching, fasting and lairage at the abattoir are considered major stressors for farmed rabbits and might have deleterious effects on health, well-being, performance, and finally, product quality. A general statement of the recent scientific studies considering the effects of pre-slaughter factors on physiological and productive measurements are reported. Finally, some indications in order to improve rabbit welfare, already present at the European level, are also outlined, together with the European Food Safety Authority opinions.

Scientific Opinion Concerning the Welfare of Animals during Transport

“…Thus lairage represents an additional period of deprivation of water and/or food. Usually, this area is placed outside, and very few abattoirs provide an enclosed area equipped with forced ventilation and water-misting sprays as a control strategy for adverse environmental conditions (Verga et al, 2009). In a survey of Spanish rabbit abattoirs (Buil et al, 2004), it was found that, before slaughter, there is a short lairage time where animals are kept in the same multi-floor transport cages in a holding area near the stunning facilities.…”

“…In addition, plastic could reduce footpad injuries, although rabbits could chew plastic floors (TRAW, 2009). However, solid floors may impede ventilation and are more difficult to wash at the abattoir after slaughtering compared with those made of wire (Verga et al, 2009). …”

“…New scientific evidence confirms these conclusions, and also investigates their impact in relation to other factors, such as the position of the crates within the truck (Vignola et al, 2008;Liste et al, 2008 Under commercial conditions, rabbits are often transported in stackable crates placed on vehicles in multi-floor crate stands with a total loading capacity ranging from 1,500 to 6,000 rabbits (TRAW, 2009). Crates can be of such a size that a person can lift one of them, or be modular units that need to be lifted with a forklift vehicle (Verga et al, 2009). In commercial situations, standard rabbit crate dimensions are as follows: 100-110×50-60×22-30 cm (length×width×height) (Verga et al, 2009).…”

“…Crates can be of such a size that a person can lift one of them, or be modular units that need to be lifted with a forklift vehicle (Verga et al, 2009). In commercial situations, standard rabbit crate dimensions are as follows: 100-110×50-60×22-30 cm (length×width×height) (Verga et al, 2009). …”

“…Rough rabbit handling has been reported to increase pre-slaughter mortality and main carcass defects, such as haemorrhages, bruises and broken bones (Verga et al, 2009). Mazzone et al (2010) investigated the impact of handling during loading on rabbit meat quality.…”