Pilot groepshuisvesting voedsters 2016

In five successive pilot experiment different park layouts were tested with the objective to minimize skin injuries in group-housed rabbit does. Does were single housed in so called combi-parks. At 21 or 23 days of lactation the separations between six single parks were removed to create a group-park (combi-park system). The park layout was altered by changing the place of wooden panels underneath and up the platform. In this way different hide and escape routes were created. The panels between the nest boxes remained. In the fifth pilot also the panels between the nest boxes were removed creating a so called park that is also used in meat rabbits. In the parcs were the nest box panels were also removed no severe skin injuries were observed. Therefore, park layout seems to influence skin injuries. Results have to be treated with care, as the pilots were performed with small numbers and not repeated.