Second Report of the BVAAWF/FRAME/RSPCA/UFAW Joint Working Group on Refineent
Contents Pages Pages
Preface 302
Aims of the report 302
1. Introduction 303
1.1 A brief history of rabbit keeping 303
1.2 History of rabbit breeds 304
1.3 Rabbits in research 304
1.4 Rabbit caging 304
2. Group housing in pens 305
2.1 Introduction 305
2.2 Group compatibility 305
2.3 Size of pens and stocking
density 307
2.4 Establishing groups 308
2.5 General husbandry 309
2.6 Environmental enrichment 312
2.7 Catching and handling 313
2.8 Identification 314
2.9 Breeding 314
2.10 Health 315
2.11 Running costs 316
2.12 Advantages and disadvantages of
group housing rabbits 317
3. Caged rabbits 319
3.1 Introduction 319
3.2 Cage design-size 319
3.3 Cage material and floors 321
3.4 Substrate and tray liners 321
3.5 Mechanical flushing systems 322
3.6 Food and water 322
3.7 Lighting 322
3.8 Temperature, relative humidity,
ventilation 322
3.9 Stereotyped behaviour 323
3.10 Environmental enrichment for
caging 324
3.11 Advantages and disadvantages
of caging 324
4. Conclusions 325
Appendix 1- Natural behaviour patterns
carried out by rabbits 325
Appendix 2 – Research
recommendations 327
References 327
Additional information 329