Risques et perspectives pour le logement collectif des lapines reproductrices

Challenges and perspectives for collective housing of reproducing rabbit does Actually, in Europe, animal welfare and sustainability are two key words that the European Commission, consumers and markets are addressing, which have to be taken into account when discussing the transition of production systems. Within this context, researchers in rabbit science have been working for several years in developing alternative systems for collective housing, often cage-free, for growing rabbits and, most recently, for reproducing does. As for growing rabbits, different collective systems are already used under field conditions, which guarantee a higher available surface and address the restriction of movement that rabbits face in conventional cages. Differently, in the reproduction sector, the use of collective housing for reproducing does is not recommended based on available scientific and practical information, because of the negative consequences on animal welfare and farm productivity. In fact, these systems can challenge the expression of some major behavioral needs, such as social relationships and maternal behaviors of reproducing does. On the other hand, new research lines to improve welfare under farming conditions should identify strategies and experiences that could be positively being perceived by rabbits and globally improve their quality of life.