Behavioural and physiological responses of rabbits
Laen...
Kuupäev
2019
Kättesaadav alates
Autorid
Ferraz, P.F.P.
Ferraz, G.A.S.
Barbari, M.
Silva, M.A.J.G.
Damasceno, F.A.
Cecchin, D.
Castro, J.O.
Ajakirja pealkiri
Ajakirja ISSN
Köite pealkiri
Kirjastaja
Abstrakt
The profitability of a rabbit farming system must consider the thermal environment
that the animal will be exposed during the productive period. The goal of this study was to
evaluate the physiological responses and behaviours of 26 New Zealand rabbits during seven
days of their lives at three times a day. The experiment was carried out in rabbit house in the
Federal University of Lavras at Lavras, Brazil. To characterize the thermal environment sensors
were used to measure the dry bulb temperature and relative humidity at 48 points inside the rabbit
house, at 6:00 a.m., 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. In addition, the temperature and humidity index
(THI) was calculated. The respiratory rate and the superficial temperature of the rabbits' ears were
measured. Behaviour evaluations were monitored in punctual record, with duration of two
min/cage. Later an ethogram was made with the main behaviours identified. Similar data of
behaviour and data of physiological responses were identified by using Ward’s method of cluster
analysis. It was observed the period of 6 a.m. showed more comfortable conditions of THI values
than the others analysed. Besides, physiological responses presented better values at 6:00 a.m. in
comparison to 12:00 and 6:00 p.m. Furthermore, in general, a similar behaviour was observed in
the rabbits at 12:00 and 6:00 p.m., while at 6:00 a.m. was different. But rabbits demonstrated to
be more comfortable at 6 a.m. maybe because at this time environment conditions were better
than the rest of the day. Besides, it can be observed that rabbits were more active in sunrise and
sunset than in the rest of the day.
Kirjeldus
Article
Märksõnad
thermal environment, dendrogram, grouping of data, animal welfare, articles