Effect of housing of growing rabbits in cage or in pen on productive and carcass traits

The aim of the experiment was to examine the effect of housing condition on productive performance and carcass traits, to gather information on the difference between cage and pen housed growing rabbits. The genotypes, housing and feeding conditions were the same as in the previous experiment (Szendrő et al.). Only the effect of housing (between 5 and 12 wk) was evaluated. The differences in body weight between Cage and Pen rabbits were significant from 7 wk of age, in favour of the Cage group. It increased from 96 g at 7 wk to 141 g at 12 wk. The differences in weight gain were significant between 5-12 wk (3.1 g/d), in favour of Cage rabbits. There were no significant differences in pellet intake, feed conversion ratio or mortality. The housing condition did not affect the dressing out percentage, but the ratio of ear lesions was significantly different (0 and 34%; P<0.001, in cage and pen, respectively). The ratios of fore- and hind parts to reference carcass were higher in Pen rabbits, and that of mid part, perirenal- and scapular fat were higher in Cage rabbits. In pens the rabbits could move more, so their weight gain and body weight were lower, but the ratio of fore and hind parts were higher. It can be concluded that housing growing rabbits in pen (larger group) resulted in lower body weight and a longer fattening period to reach the same weight. Moreover, housing of rabbits in a large group negatively affected their welfare, due to the higher incidence of ear lesions.