Species : Rabbits

The grim reality of industrial animal farming

Eurogroup for Animals

Published in 2023

Report summarizing the main welfare problems faced by broilers, fish, pigs, dairy cows and rabbits in intensive farming and the main shortcomings of current European legislation in this respect.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Cattle, Goats, Sheep, Fish, Pigs, Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Pain, Societal issues, Mutilation, Human-animal relationships, Stress, Livestock farming system

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Rapport du CGAAER n° 21124 – Mission d’appui à la filière lapin de chair

Bruno Gadoud, Philippe Seinger

Published in 2023

This report reminds us of the importance of farming conditions in ensuring the good treatment of rabbits. It also describes the initiatives taken by the rabbit industry to improve animal welfare. It provides a series of recommendations for the various stakeholders in the industry.

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories:Monogastric

Keywords:Enrichment, Housing, Livestock farming system

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Decree No. 2022-1012 of July 18, 2022 on the protection of pets and equidae against animal abuse

Elisabeth Borne, Marc Fesneau

Published in 2022

Implementation decree relating to the law against animal abuse, which specifies the certification procedures applicable to pet and equine owners and the information to be included in pet homing contracts

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Canine, Equine, Feline

Keywords: Societal issues, Human-animal relationships

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Welfare of domestic birds and rabbits transported in containers

EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW): Søren Saxmose Nielsen, Julio Alvarez, Dominique Joseph Bicout, Paolo Calistri, Elisabetta Canali, Julian Ashley Drewe, Bruno Garin-Bastuji, Jose Luis Gonzales Rojas, Christian Gortázar Schmidt, Mette Herskin, Virginie Michel, Miguel Ángel Miranda Chueca, Barbara Padalino, Paolo Pasquali, Helen Clare Roberts, Hans Spoolder, Karl Stahl, Antonio Velarde, Arvo Viltrop, Christoph Winckler

Published in 2022

EFSA scientific opinion on the protection of domestic birds and rabbits during transport. The main welfare consequences during loading and unloading are handling stress, injury, restriction of movement and sensory hyperstimulation; those while travelling and on arrival are injury, restriction of movement, sensory hyperstimulation, movement stress, heat, cold, prolonged hunger and prolonged thirst. These welfare consequences and the indicators measured on the animals are described. The hazards that cause them, and recommendations on how to avoid such hazards and to correct or mitigate their effects on welfare  are presented.

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Animal-based measurements, Pain, Risk management, Welfare indicators, Human-animal relationships, Stress, Transport

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A pilot study about on-farm assessment of health and welfare in rabbits kept in different housing systems

Angela Trocino, Francesca Menegon, Cristina Zomeño, Dario Pasqualin, Giovanni Cunial, Gerolamo Xiccato, Fabrizio Pirrone, Daniela Bertotto, Martina Bortoletti, Francesco Dorigo, Antonio Lavazza Guido Di Martino

Published in 2022

Scientific article comparing the health and welfare levels of breeding rabbits living with their litters and of growing rabbits in four different housing systems: two unenriched cage systems, enriched cages and pens. Although it does not reveal major health differences, it does identify management and environmental factors other than housing that can influence health and welfare.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Monogastric

Keywords: Animal-based measurements, Animaladaptation, Enrichment, Housing, Living environment, Robustness, Welfare indicators

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Owner demographic factors are associated with suitable pet rabbit housing provision in the United Kingdom

Grace Mee, Emma Tipton, James A. Oxley, Carri Westgarth

Published in 2022

Scientific study showing that, while unsuitable housing for pet rabbits is found in the homes of owners of all ages, genders and living standards, certain demographic owner characteristics are more frequently associated with poor housing conditions, creating a useful target audience to improve the welfare of these pets.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Monogastric

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Enrichment, Housing, Living environment, Human-animal relationships

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Purchasing Habits, Sustainability Perceptions, and Welfare Concerns of Italian Consumers Regarding Rabbit Meat

Stefania Crovato, Anna Pinto, Guido Di Martino, Giulia Mascarello , Valentina Rizzoli, Silvia Marcolin, Licia Ravarotto

Published in 2022

Scientific paper to determine consumer perceptions of rabbit meat in order to promote this sector to Italian consumers. Provision of information on the limited use of antibiotics and the absence of animal suffering are the two main motivating  factors for purchasers. Cage farming is not looked on favourably.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Keywords:Antibiotic resistance, Pain, Societal issues, Housing

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Traumatic Injuries Detected during Post-Mortem Slaughterhouse Inspection as Welfare Indicators in Poultry and Rabbits

Lenka Valkova, Eva Voslarova, Vladimir Vecerek, Petra Dolezelova, Veronika Zavrelova, Claire Weeks

Published in 2021

Scientific paper presenting a very large-scale Czech retrospective analysis of traumatic lesions in poultry and rabbits detected post-mortem at abattoirs. It reveals a high incidence of limb lesions in chickens and rabbits, and on the thorax in rabbits, exposing the need for reexamination of rearing conditions, and of housing and/or handling before slaughter in particular, in the Czech Republic.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords: Housing, Living environment, Livestock farming system,Pain

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Stunning methods and slaughter of rabbits for human consumption

EFSA

Published in 2020

Opinion on the different methods of stunning and procedures for the slaughter of rabbits in abbatoirs and on their risks and consequences for animal welfare. Identification of indicators for unconsciousness and death.

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories: Mammals

Keywords: Anxiety, Consciousness, Pain, Societal issues, Risk management, Fear, Human-animal relationships, Stress

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Scientific opinion concerning the killing of rabbits for purposes other than slaughter

EFSA

Published in 2020

Opinion on methods of killing rabbits other than for slaughter, identification of 14 hazards for animal welfare and mitigation measures

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories: Mammals

Keywords: Anxiety, Livestock buildings, Pain, Societal issues, Environment, Risk management, Living environment, Fear, Human-animal relationships, Stress 

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