Effect of access to outdoor grazing and stocking density on space and pasture use, behaviour, reactivity, and growth traits of weaned rabbits

In a context of evolving concern over housing conditions farmed rabbits, we developed system that allows access to an outdoor area. The aim was study the health status, growth and behaviour rabbits raised at two stocking densities with paddock, or not. We distributed 299 weaned in four groups (YH: 100, NH: 99, YL: 50 NL: 50) using 2 × factorial design including (Y: yes) not (N: not) 23 m2 paddock indoor density (H, high: 17 L, low: 9 rabbits/m2). measured status each animal weekly for 42 days (from 31 73 age) performed reactivity tests new environment, human object. also assessed rabbits’ 26 40 by doing visual scan regular time intervals. Our results showed had no effect on mortality, but mortality tended increase from 3.0% 7.0% (P < 0.10). Although average daily gain, it higher N group than Y (+3.6 g/day; P 0.05). Rabbits entered paddocks first less beginning trial (50 s day 3 vs 10 min 31; 0.001). proportion outside after 20 environment test among L H (+24% points +11% 20; Regardless density, more touched experimenter’s hand (16% 27%; 0.05) object (34% 20%; group. Inactivity frequent inside pens (70.0% 34.2% 40; Locomotion (20.0% 7.2% did affect behavioural traits measured. conclusion, providing could allow them fulfil some natural behaviours slightly reduced their growth.