The successful introduction of an early rabbit to human habituation programme to reduce stress and aggressive behaviour

Abstract

Rabbits as a species, are naturally overly sensitive to stress which is a source of concern and consideration for the use in research settings; both in terms of their interaction with humans, and in terms of the quality of the scientific outcome. To reduce stress and increase animal welfare, we have introduced an early rabbit/human habituation programme during the breeding and husbandry cycle; all the way from birth to when the rabbits are transported to the users. The programme consists in a holistic approach of early and positive human-rabbit bonding. It starts from birth with an impregnation phase of human contact in the nest boxes four times per week for 4 weeks. From weaning, the habituation programme continues with weekly positive interaction by individual petting outside the cage. The effect of the habituation programme was evaluated with several clinical stress indicators observed during the acclimatization period at the users. The study was designed as a double-blinded randomized protocol with rabbits being evaluated from four different breeding areas but with the habituation programme being implemented in one area only. After 16 months and with more than 2,400 rabbits evaluated, results showed a significant decrease in stress scores of rabbits being sourced from the area with the implemented habituation programme and with total disappearance of aggressive behaviours, such as biting, while initial stress scores were maintained for rabbits being sourced from the three other areas without the habituation programme.