The Feasibility of Social Housing for Adult Laboratory Rabbits

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-5817.2017.04.005

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To study the feasibility of social housing for adult laboratory rabbits. Methods Totally 38 New Zealand white rabbits aged at 6 months with 19 males and 19 females were single housed. Food intake and body weight were observed one day prior to social housing, then the rabbits were divided into 2 groups (19 male, 19 female), each group respectively housed in 8 cages (5 cages with 2 rabbits, 3 cages with 3 rabbits) for 7 days, food intake, body weight, fighting and injury were observed during 7 days social housing, and then single housed for 21 days. Results The food intake of female rabbits was decreased compared with that of being single housed, the normal growth of body weight was affected; high fighting frequency was observed at the first day of social housing, fighting frequency reduced or stopped after social hierarchy established; no obvious injuries were observed. The amount of food intake and body weight were reduced significantly for adult male rabbits during social housing, frequent and continuous fights were observed that caused serious injuries even death. Conclusions Adult female rabbits can be social housed under proper nursing by animal care staff during the initial stage of social housing, social housing for adult male rabbits is infeasible.

Key words: Laboratory rabbits, Social housing, Pair housing

CLC Number:

Q95-33

LI Cai-yun, JIANG Zi-rui, PAN Xue-ying, SONG Zheng, CHANG Yan. The Feasibility of Social Housing for Adult Laboratory Rabbits[J]. Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine, 2017, 37(4): 283-287.

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