EFFECTS OF FLOOR TYPE AND STOCKING DENSITY ON THE BEHAVIOUR MODES OF GROWING RABBITS

The experiment was carried out with 120 Pannon White growing rabbits, which were reared from 5 to 11 weeks of age on four types of floor: 1. wire net floor from 5 to 11 weeks of age, 2. wire net floor from 5 to 7 weeks of age, and straw litter thereafter, 3. wire net floor from 5 to 9 weeks of age, and straw litter thereafter, 4. straw litter from 5 to 11 weeks of age. In each group three different stocking densities (8, 12 and 16 rabbits/m²) were used. As for the rabbits 24-hours video recordings were made every week on the same day. The actual behavioral form of each rabbit was recorded in every 10 minutes. Based on the results it was found out, that the frequency of eating decreased, when wire net floor was changed to straw litter. The frequency of drinking was less than 0.5% in the 1st experimental group and mostly higher than 1% in the other three groups during the whole rearing period. The moving activity of the rabbits was higher on the straw litter, while resting was observed more often on the wire net floor.