Convegno ASIC 2016 11 th WRC: Inviati speciali in Cina 30 settembre 2016, Padova 1
TROVA L INTRUSO!
Proceedings of the 11 th WORLD RABBIT CONGRESS, June 15-18 2016, Qingdao, China 3. ETHOLOGY AND WELFARE Marco Birolo Università degli Studi di Padova
8 rabbit does growing rabbits 1 2 3 5 2 Housing systems Transport stress Stunning methods Environmental conditions 4
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Single housing Combi system for does & kits Enlarged & enriched single cages Semi-group housing systems Continuous group housing systems 6
Cage dimensions size (standard or double) height (30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, open-top cages) Trials Elevated platform different materials (wire net, plastic-mesh, wire net + footrest) Environmental enrichment types (gnawing stick, pinewood stick, straw, wooden block) Nest characteristics nest material (hay, straw, wood shaving, Lignocel ) 7
Single housing Combi system for does & kits Enlarged & enriched single cages Semi-group housing systems Continuous group housing systems 8
Trials Pens dimensions & enrichment Group composition Motivation Critical points Aggression among does Increased suckling mortality Electronic devices for recognition Group management Higher production costs Labour demanding 9
Single housing Combi system for does & kits Enlarged & enriched single cages Semi-group housing systems Continuous group housing systems 10
Time-program Critical points Trials Single housing Proximity of kindling Changes in the group composition Training of the does Handing places Group housing After 11-18 d of lactation Aggressive interactions among does Regrouping methods Group stability Problems related to agonistic interactions after regrouping remain unsolved 11
Single housing Combi system for does & kits Enlarged & enriched single cages Semi-group housing systems Continuous group housing systems 12
Continuous group housing systems are not sustainable either for production or welfare aspects Semi-group housing systems allow high productivity, but do not solve the aggressiveness among does The combisystem improves animal welfare and guarantees high performance and hygienic conditions 13
Pen equipment Genetic selection Does training alternatives to reduce agonistic interactions in semi-group housing systems 14
Wire net Plastic-mesh Perforated area 75% 50% <15% Floor types: material and perforation Platform characteristics: material and perforation Group size: from 8 to 49 animals Foot rest Multilevel platforms 15
Growth performance Hygienic conditions Health status Preference feet dirtiness mortality skin lesions feet lesions usage of different areas 16
Growing rabbits housed in large pens or in collective cages achieve similar productive performances Growing rabbits spend more time on the floor rather than on elevated platforms Plastic-mesh platforms are most used by animals with respect to wire-mesh ones Further investigations may be carried out to define the most appropriate floor types 17
In condition of short and comfortable transports the stress indicators are weakly affected in growing rabbits reared collectively Liver HSP70 expression might be used to evaluate acute stress events in rabbits People consider the stress factors affecting rabbits during transport differently based on their knowledge 18
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Europe Canada Stunning at slaughterhouse Euthanasia at farm Comparison of euthanasia methods Validation of animal unconsciousness Optimization of the stunning procedure Blunt force trauma Cervical dislocation Non-penetrating captive bolt 20
Bleeding should take place within 30 seconds of electronarcosis Electrical stunning for one second guarantees unconsciousness Blunt force trauma is not an effective method for euthanasia of adult rabbits The non penetrating captive bolt device is reliable and effective causing irreversible damage to the brain 21