Study of the relationships between welfare, health and production performance in rabbits with access to an outdoor paddock

Context and challenges

The welfare of farmed livestock is currently a major societal concern. When questioned about the living conditions of livestock, citizens are strongly in favour of taking better account of their welfare. They want in particular for animals to have access to the outside, seeing this option as a major factor in their well-being (Delanoue et al., 2018). However, although this outdoor access enables the expression of specific behaviours, it can also give rise to stress and increase the exposure of animals to pathogenic agents. It is therefore a socio-economic challenge to better respond to societal demands by designing multi-performance livestock systems that take greater account of animal welfare while respecting the economic equilibrium of the livestock unit.
The rabbit sector is particularly concerned by these challenges because its production mode, particularly concerning habitat, is frequently criticised and has a poor image among consumers. Indeed, the animals are reared in closed buildings in slatted cages, without any enrichment of their living conditions. Under these circumstances, some of the natural behaviours of rabbits may not be expressed (gnawing, jumping, rearing on their hind legs, hiding, having appropriate social interactions) and the floor may cause injuries (foot pad dermatitis), notably in breeding females. However, studies focused on systems where rabbits have access to an outdoor paddock have been few in number. Initial work showed that outdoor access increased the activity rate of rabbits, particularly in the early morning and at dusk (in the same way as wild rabbits), and enabled the animals to express a larger number of species-specific behaviours (jumping, rearing on their hind legs, moving about). However, these benefits are offset by a reduction in their growth, probably explained by the additional energy required for physical exercise, less control over ambient temperatures and a higher loss rate (Fetiveau, 2019). It is therefore a scientific challenge to understand the factors that influence the relationships between the welfare (including health) and performance of rabbits that have outdoor access, as well as their equilibrium.

Objectives

This PhD project aims to acquire knowledge of the factors that influence the relationships between welfare and health in rabbits which have access to an outdoor paddock. Ultimately, the aim is to contribute to the design of livestock systems that will guarantee both the expression of natural behaviours for the species and their health and productivity.

Species concerned

References

• Delanoue, E., Dockes, A.C., Chouteau, A., Roguet, C., Philibert, A. 2018. Regards croisés entre éleveurs et citoyens français : vision des citoyens sur l’élevage et point de vue des éleveurs sur leur perception par la société. In : INRA Productions Animales. 11 juin 2018. Vol. 31, n° 1, p. 51‑68. DOI 10.20870/productions-animales.2018.31.1.2203.
• Fetiveau M. 2019. Effet de la densité et de l’accès à un parcours extérieur sur la répartition spatiale, la réactivité et les performances des lapins en croissance. Mémoire fin étude Bordeaux Science Agro, 81 pp.