Pen type affects spatial patterns of group-housed rabbits
Mark A. Kukucka and William R. Stricklin
Department of Animal Sciences
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
ABSTRACT: Thirty-two New Zealand red and white rabbits were weaned at
28 days of age and assigned to one of four pens to determine the
effect of pen type on spacing patterns. The pens were of equal area
(0.74 meters square) but unequal perimeter. Pen types were: 1) square
pen, 2) square pen with raised platform (0.10 m wide and 0.2 m high)
affixed to the interior walls of the pen, 3) square pen with four
partitions (total length 1.7 m) and 4) an equilateral triangular pen.
Pens had wood shavings as bedding, food dispensers in their centers
and waterers on each side of the pen and were in a room with a
controlled photoperiod of 12 hours light to 12 hours dark. Time-lapse
photographs were recorded at 5 min intervals from overhead using 8 mm
cameras once per week for 4 weeks. The location of individuals was
determined from the photographs using computer digitization. Cartesian
grid coordinates of individuals were used to plot 3-dimensional
graphic analyses to ascertain the relation****ps between pen type and
spatial patterns of individuals and groups. The mean distance to pen
center was 2.9 +/- 1.3, 3.9 +/- 1.5, 3.0 +/- 1.4 and 2.9 +/- 1.3
during week one and 3.7 +/- 1.4, 4.7 +/- 1.4, 3.6 +/- 1.5 and 2.8 +/-
1.3 during week four for the four pen types, respectively. The
percentage of time spent on the platform was 19, 23, 30 and 36 for
weeks one to four, respectively. Our data demonstrate that rabbits
disperse as their age increases and that pens can be designed to
facilitate this behavioral change.
Kukucka, M.A. and W.R. Stricklin. 1985. Pen type affects spatial
patterns of group-housed rabbits. J. Anim Sci 61(S1):213.
Dr. Mark Kukucka Master's Thesis Title:
Spatial Relation****ps, Behavioral Patterns and performance levels of
group-housed domestic rabbits.
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