Transportation is a strong acute stressor, and the highly variable results of handling and fear are likely to be due to different levels of physiological stress. The objective of this study is to determine the physiological and behavioral responses in rabbit due to transportation (both open and closed) as a mean of stress. Ten males yearling New Zealand white rabbits were used. Rabbits were transported by two ways, the first was open transportation, and after a week rabbits were transported in closed vehicle, both for 90 minutes. Behavioral patterns wrer observed the day before transportation (control) and just after arrival of animals in 120 minutes observational period devided into 4 sessions (30 minutes each) by using video camera. Before transportation, body temperature, ear lobe temperature, heart rate min., respiratory rate were measured, and blood hematocrite value and hemoglobin concentration was determined. The same parameters were measured just after arrival of animals from the journey. The results revealed that, the method of transportation significantly affected the bedhavior. Time spent in squatting position and stretch both hind legs were heist in control rabbits as these behaviors express relaxation. The time spent crouching, lying flat, and grooming and number of teeth grinding, respiratory rate, and heart ratemin. increased significantly in case of open than closed transportation . Transportation also affected the daily feed intake. Animals those transported via open method consumed little amount of feed (69.86 g) as compared with 97.01 g and 113.03 in closed and control respectively. Stress of transportation caused significant increased in hematocrit value and hemoglobin concentration only in open method of transportation. This indicated that solid side walls are important for sight restriction and will lower the stress levels. To accurately assess an animal’s reaction, a combination of behavioral and physiological measurements will provide the best overall measurement of animal discomfort. In conclusion, the results of this study proved that method of closed transportation of rabbit is less stressful than open method. Reducing stress during handling will improve productivity and prevent the behavioral and physiological changes that could confound lower productivity. Noise should be kept to a minimum because animals have sensitive hearing. |
