Behaviour of two breeds of weaned rabbits under different stocking methods

ABSTRACT

Fourteen weaned rabbits, 7 Californian and 7 New Zeal and White [4 females and 3 males for each] were divided into 4 groups Group A, [one Californian male stocked with New Zeal and White male, in two replicates]; group B [one Californian female with New Zeal and White female, in two replicates]; group C [Californian male stocked with both Californian and New Zeal and White females]; group D [New Zeal and White male stocked with both Californian and New Zeal and White females]. The obtained results revealed that there was a highly significant [P <0.01] effect to the periods of day on all diurnal behavioral activities, except grooming was not significantly differed. On the other h and, the effect of stocking system, breed and sex were all nonsignificant. However, group B showed higher feeding, moving, exploration and lying, but less grooming and aggressive encounters. Moreover, group D showed increased feeding, drinking, moving and exploration, but less grooming, aggression and lying than group C. With regard to the breed, the New Zeal and White rabbits were found to have higher feeding, moving, exploration, grooming and lying but less aggression than Californian rabbits. Similar trend was observed in females. Moreover, the early morning period characterized by highest feeding, drinking, moving, exploration and aggression, but grooming was highest during late morning and lying was during early afternoon period