The aim of the present study was to develop and evaluate a new housing system for fattening rabbits. Data were collected on a farm with rabbits housed either under new conditions (NC) or established (conventional) conditions (CC). NC housing was characterized by large groups (Ø 58 rabbits, max. 12 rabbits/m²), slatted plastic floor (11 mm slats and 11 mm gaps), elevated platforms with partly solid floor, boxes and different enrichment materials. CC rabbits were kept in small groups (eight rabbits, 23 rabbits/m²) in cages with wire-mesh floor, an elevated platform, a box and one gnawing stick. Skin lesions and weight gain of 524 rabbits, cleanliness of their hind feet as well as their mortality and morbidity were investigated from weaning to slaughter in five batches. The evaluations showed higher daily weight gain (46.3 ± 6.0 g vs. 43.1 ± 5.5 g) and final weight (2878 ± 328 g vs. 2707 ± 299 g), as well as a lower cumulative lesion score at the middle of the fattening period in NC than in CC rabbits. Nevertheless, cleanliness of hind feet was assessed to be worse and mortality was higher in the NC housing. The NC system provided some benefits in terms of animal welfare compared to the conventional system, but hygienic challenges posed by this system make further adjustment necessary.

The aim of the present study was to investigate a new housing system for fattening rabbits with two different flooring designs (F1 and F2) in accordance with new legal requirements in Germany (11 mm slats and 11 mm gaps, elevated platform with 15% perforation), in comparison with an established system with wire mesh flooring (C). While F1 flooring was made of punched slatted plastic panels, F2 consisted of fixed single rods with a rounded surface. In six batches with F1 and C housing, and subsequently three batches with F2 housing, soiling of rabbits’ hind feet, pens, and cages as well as mortality rates were recorded. While pens and rabbits in F2 conditions were assessed as being cleaner than F1, neither reached the cleanliness of C rabbits and cages. Mortality was highest in F1 housing (18.1%) and comparable between F2 (10.3%) and C housing (11.7%). The present investigations showed different results in terms of soiling and mortality for different implementations of the German regulations. Nevertheless, both floors in accordance with these requirements revealed hygienic disadvantages compared to the established cages. Further research is necessary in order to keep rabbits under good hygienic conditions and in compliance with legal requirements.