15 August 2024 | Karim El-Sabrout, Anjum Sherasiya, Sohail Ahmad, Sarah Aggag, Eleonora Nannoni, Damiano Cavallini and Giovanni Buonaiuto
Environmental enrichment in rabbit husbandry aims to improve animal welfare and performance by reducing stress and promoting natural behaviors. Rabbits are highly sensitive to environmental stressors such as overcrowding, poor ventilation, and lack of space, which can lead to behavioral issues, reduced growth, and health problems. Environmental enrichment involves adding physical and social stimuli to rabbit enclosures to meet their behavioral needs, such as toys, mirrors, hiding places, and tunnels. Studies show that enriched environments improve rabbit welfare by encouraging natural behaviors, reducing stress, and enhancing productivity. For example, enriched cages with shelters and elevated platforms improve rabbit welfare, while certain floor types like plastic floors enhance exploration and growth. Mirrors can also improve natural behaviors and reduce aggression. However, the adoption of enrichment strategies is influenced by economic factors, as farmers prioritize cost-effectiveness. Future research should focus on integrating precision farming technologies, such as sensors, artificial intelligence, and environmental monitoring systems, to optimize rabbit welfare and productivity. These technologies can help monitor animal health, detect stress, and improve farm management. Overall, environmental enrichment is crucial for improving rabbit welfare and sustainability in farming systems.Environmental enrichment in rabbit husbandry aims to improve animal welfare and performance by reducing stress and promoting natural behaviors. Rabbits are highly sensitive to environmental stressors such as overcrowding, poor ventilation, and lack of space, which can lead to behavioral issues, reduced growth, and health problems. Environmental enrichment involves adding physical and social stimuli to rabbit enclosures to meet their behavioral needs, such as toys, mirrors, hiding places, and tunnels. Studies show that enriched environments improve rabbit welfare by encouraging natural behaviors, reducing stress, and enhancing productivity. For example, enriched cages with shelters and elevated platforms improve rabbit welfare, while certain floor types like plastic floors enhance exploration and growth. Mirrors can also improve natural behaviors and reduce aggression. However, the adoption of enrichment strategies is influenced by economic factors, as farmers prioritize cost-effectiveness. Future research should focus on integrating precision farming technologies, such as sensors, artificial intelligence, and environmental monitoring systems, to optimize rabbit welfare and productivity. These technologies can help monitor animal health, detect stress, and improve farm management. Overall, environmental enrichment is crucial for improving rabbit welfare and sustainability in farming systems.