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Asian Journal of Poultry Science

Year: 2012 | Volume: 6 | Issue: 3 | Page No.: 65-78
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Authors

Z.M. Kalaba

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Research Article

Physiological Response and Stress Indicators of California Rabbits under Intensive Conditions in Egypt

Z.M. Kalaba
For rabbits, minimum space allowances and stocking densities should always refer to the final weight that rabbits would reach. To investigate the effects of cage density on growth performance and some blood parameters of rabbits, ninety California rabbits (27-day old) were housed in wire cages (50x50x30 cm for each) in groups of 1, 2, 3 and 4 rabbits/cage; corresponding to stocking densities of 4, 8, 12 and 16 rabbits m-2 for G1, G2, G3 and G4, respectively. From weaning up to 12 week of age, G1 showed the highest (p<0.05) weight and gain with the best feed conversion. At 12 week of age, values of hemoglobin (g dL-1), red blood cell count, lymphocytes (%), packed cell volume (%) and mean corpuscular volume (fl) were highest (p<0.05) in G2. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (pg cell-1) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (g dL-1) were highest (p<0.05) in G1, while G4 showed the highest (p<0.05) white blood cell count. Concentration of total protein, globulin and creatinine was highest (p<0.05) in G1. Aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities were higher (p<0.05) in G4 and G3 than in G1 and G2. Albumin concentration and activity of alanine transaminase were not affected. Concentration of ACTH and corticosterone was highest (p<0.05) in G4, while cortisol was highest (p<0.05) in G4. In conclusion, 4 rabbits per cage (16 animals m-2; 32 kg m-2) could be an acceptable threshold in terms of good growth performance without any adverse effects on welfare of California rabbits under the intensive production in Egypt.
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