Outdoor Rearing and Behavioural Patterns in Diverse Rabbit Breeds: An Exploratory Study.

ABSTRACT: EU regulations on organic rabbit farming are relatively recent, and scientific evidence on key technical aspects remains limited. Outdoor systems may improve health and welfare by allowing natural behaviours, but their effectiveness depends on management practices, environmental conditions, and breed. The objective of this study was to explore breed-related differences in rabbit behaviour under outdoor rearing conditions. A total of 15 Leprino di Viterbo (LV) and 15 New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits were weaned at 29 days of age and reared under outdoor conditions until 84 days of age, during October and November. All animals had ad libitum access to a commercial pelleted diet and pasture, and the intake of both was measured weekly. Animal behaviour was monitored by video recording, and eigh

SUBMITTER: Bosa L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12729517 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature