Observations on biotic parameters of Angora rabbit breed under controlled conditions in different housing systems

The aim of the present study was to compare the body weight (BW) gain and physiological parameters such as temperature, respiratory rate (RR), and heart rate (HR) of Angora rabbit reared in different housing systems.

A total of 30 angora rabbits (age 4-6 months), weight 1.5 kg in average were divided into three groups, i.e., (outdoor control [OC], indoor in cages [IC], and indoor open [IO]). All rabbits were reared for 10 weeks. Feed and water were given ad libitum. BW gain and physiological parameters such as temperature, RR, and HR were recorded.

All parameters showed some degree of variations. The BW differed significantly (p<0.05). The mean BW in kilogram (kg) of OC group was 1.59±0.03 obtained during the experimental period, while the BW of IC group shows a decrease of 1.43±0.05 and IO group it was 1.49±0.06 kg. The body temperature (BT) of the control group was 38.83±1.07°C, but IC and IO groups show increased in BT (39.10±0.78°C) and (39.33±1.24°C), indicated no significant difference among the groups (p=0.05). The RR in breaths/min of OC group recorded was 40.3±5.20, but the RR recorded for IC and IO groups was 41.2±7.29 and 39.3±6.30 breaths/min, respectively, showed less variation. The HR obtained in beat/min of OC group was 136.9±15.22, IC group (139.1±16.42) and IO group were (139.6±19.90 beat/min) showed less substantial variation.

The present study clearly indicates that housing rabbits in cages and stress condition is a cause of poor welfare due to movement constraint, it will affect the body biotic parameters such as normal temperature, respiration as well as it can reduce the growth performance of animals significantly but housing system may not affect HR.