Feeding, Nutrition and Rearing Systems of the Rabbit
A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Nutrition".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2022) | Viewed by 39299
Special Issue Editor
Interests: rabbit and poultry feeding and nutrition; rabbit and poultry welfare; fish feeding; fish welfare; aquaponics; aquaculture
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Different nutritional and feeding strategies have been applied in growing rabbits to reduce the incidence of digestive diseases and to enhance productive performance as well as the global feed conversion ratio. Indeed, the high production costs and the occurrence of digestive disturbances, which are responsible for high morbidity and mortality rates in the fattening sector, represent the major threats to the profitability of rabbit farms. However, the main solution to control digestive diseases in growing rabbits is still the use of antibiotics, but this approach has critical issues concerning public health and animal welfare. Furthermore, consumers are increasingly concerned about the safety, quality, and sustainability of foods. Additionally, an enhanced farm feed efficiency can be achieved not only by improving genetics and management, but also by ensuring rabbit nutrition. Moreover, the development of new feeding strategies for the optimization of gut health, performance, and meat quality of growing rabbits is currently required. Further insights regarding nutritional and feeding strategies to optimize health, reproductive performance, and lifespan of rabbit does are also needed.
Another urgent need for the rabbit sector regards the development of alternative rearing and housing systems. Indeed, the European citizens’ initiative “End the Cage Age” has recently received a response from the European Commission, which intends to propose the gradual overcoming of the cage systems for the rearing of farm animals. Among the alternative housing systems, park systems have been investigated during the last years, but the design, structural characteristics, and equipment (e.g., environmental enrichments) of the parks are not sufficiently standardized. Moreover, there are severe issues regarding the collective housing of rabbit does (aggressive behaviors, wounds, and reduced productive and reproductive performance), which require the study of innovative solutions to improve animal health, welfare, and performance. Improving knowledge regarding the feeding and management of the rabbit in extensive rearing systems, including organic farming, through nutritional and behavioral studies is also required.
Thus, the present Special Issue addresses the latest advancements regarding rabbit nutrition as well as feeding and rearing systems for the purpose of: i) defining nutrient requirements of growing, fattening rabbits and reproductive rabbit does; ii) preventing digestive disturbances in the post-weaning and fattening periods; iii) reducing the environmental pollution of rabbit farms; iv) improving growth and reproductive performance, as well as feed efficiency; v) limiting the impact of environmental stressors; vi) enhancing the end-product safety and quality; vi) exploring the use of innovative prebiotics, probiotics, natural extracts, and by-products in rabbit feeding; and vii) enhancing knowledge regarding the health, performance, behavior, and welfare of growing rabbits and rabbit does reared in alternative housing and rearing systems.
Both original papers and reviews are welcome.
Dr. Marco Birolo
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- rabbit
- nutrient requirements
- feeding plans
- natural extracts
- prebiotics
- probiotics
- gut microbiota
- health
- growth performance
- meat quality
- food safety
- environmental impact
- housing systems
- rabbit doe
- welfare
- behavior
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