[Effect of various factors on the suckling behavior of domestic rabbits]

An average number of 1.47 suckling events per 24 hours with a mean duration of 203 seconds per suckling was shown in investigations with 156 does (253 litter, 1.907 alive born pups) by continuous video recordings (infrared technique) over 1.045 periods with 24 hours. Two or more suckling periods with maximum of six sucklings per 24 h were recorded in 40% of all days. Number and duration of suckling events and also percentage of days with > or = 2 sucklings/24 hours were significantly influenced by genotype of does, parity and keeping system (flatdeck, get-away-cage). ZIKA-hybrids had the highest percentage of days with several suckling periods (52.7). Suckling activity had shown a circadian rhythm and was significantly correlated with dawn (light-dark as an inducing factor for suckling). 25% of all suckling events took place in the hour after the lights were turned off.