Mary Allen
The rabbit owner observes his animals every day and should therefore notice quickly if something is wrong. What you have to pay particular attention to and the possible causes of misconduct.
Anyone who studies the behavior of rabbits does not have to be a master of observation. She or he quickly realizes that rabbits are not hares and that hares are very different from rabbits. For example, rabbits are born blind. Rabbits tend to be loners. The behavior of the one cannot be inferred from the behavior of the other.
Rabbits must be kept according to their needs. It is crucial that the animals can perform their biological functions. And that they don’t get into stressful situations. Today, stables are closely scrutinized; one wants to know whether the animals can practice and show their species-specific behavior. The design of the barn begins with the soil conditions, but animal nutrition and even climatic conditions also play an important role. With climate change, one factor will probably have to be weighted even more heavily in the future, because how can animals feel comfortable in a temperature range that is far above the optimum for an animal’s organism?
Housing systems can recently be assessed according to concepts with so-called functional groups. In order to make accurate statements, you have to observe the animals carefully every day.
Rest and Sleep:
Rabbits have feeding and activity activities throughout the day, culminating in feeding times. At midday, especially when temperatures are high during the day, periods of rest are indicated, but also at night. The rabbits have a daily recurring sequence of movements that rabbit owners have already observed several times and therefore quickly notice when something is wrong. Then the question arises: Is it due to the floor area or the equipment of the barn – or how are certain bodily functions impaired?
Activity and Exercise:
As flight animals, rabbits are very active pets. They like to hop and do hooks. A well-thought-out stall layout and correct attachment of the hay racks, feeding dishes, and drinking nipples allow the animals to structure the stall accordingly. The pet owner must respect the cleanup areas once they have been set. The behavioral indicators for the activity and movement behavior are timid walking (also detectable with the first steps of the young animals), hopping (more or less fast), and the hasty run. It is important to ensure that the floor surfaces are not damp and slippery.
Sexual and Reproductive Behavior:
The reproductive readiness of the breeding animals is part of successful animal husbandry. This requires a certain physical fitness from the female and male animals. The main indicators for reproductive function are reproductive, nest-building, birth, and suckling behavior.
Eating Behavior:
Insufficient spatial structuring, but also employment poverty are reflected in behavioral deviations. Rabbits are naturally interested in all kinds of natural materials. These are also used for additional raw fiber intake. In order to keep the activity materials highly attractive, there are pet owners who regularly switch; But straw should never be missing. If there are too few activity materials, this is reflected in the manipulation of housing facilities – in particular, biting into the bars of the doors – or other stereotypical movement patterns. The indicators in the area of nutrition are undisturbed water and food intake (especially in groups or large litters), food processing (sufficient chewing), and the search for food.
Social Behavior:
Ranking fights are part of the natural behavioral pattern in rabbits. Of course, stable groups have advantages, as these kinds of tough fights, which can lead to injuries, usually only take place when the group is formed. An important indicator in the functional circle of social behavior is the social structure and the possibility of avoidance and retreat. If animals have wounds, this indicates an increased occurrence of aggression, ranking fights, and bite injuries.