Timing of part-time group housing for farm rabbits: Effects on reproductive performance, skin injuries and behaviour

Commercial rabbit farms commonly house breeding does in single-litter cages that generate concerns for animal welfare. Group housing increases the space per and allows more natural behaviour. When housed group, however, exhibit aggressive behaviour around parturition continuous group systems have negative effects on reproductive performances. Part-time aims to reduce aggression by delaying grouping of until 3–4 weeks after kindling. The aim this study was test effect time performances This trial conducted at 2 commercial Belgium. At 22 (G22), 25 (G25) or 28 (G28) days post-partum (pp) groups four with their kits were created removing walls between (13 7 treatment farm 1 2, respectively). Reproductive performances, skin injuries monitored during (farm 1) 3 2) consecutive reproduction rounds. Both checked immediately prior (as reference newly acquired injuries), 1, 4 6 grouping, again weaning (35 pp). Doe a subset (N = 21 treatment) observed pp. Results showed kit mortality day 35 highest G22 lowest G28 (P 0.03). incidence injured increased grouping. 93.3% 39% injuries. On all observation days, had fewer less severe compared from G25 < 0.05) 0.05). Skin before found but unexpected; it may indicate unrelated housing. Behavioural analyses indicated locomotion 0.02) friendly social 0.001), comfort 0.001) does. Offensive defensive behaviours rarely (< 0.1%). In summary, fewest days. did not show significant differences except mortality, which dependent treatment. Pre-grouping should be considered as affect estimates severity rabbits part-time groups.