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Hilde Vervaecke presents Poster 80 during the poster sessions in the Aula.
Session theme 6: Free topics
152
Poster 80
DEVELOPMENT OF HIERARCHY AND RANK EFFECTS IN WEANED
FATTENING RABBITS (ORYCTOLAGUS CUNNICULUS)
H. Vervaecke 1 , L. De Bonte 1 , S. Vennens 1 , F. Tuyttens, L. Maertens 2 , J.M.G. Stevens 3
1 KaHoSL, Hospitaalstraat 21, 9100 Sint-Niklaas, Belgium
2 Department of Animal Sciences, Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research, Melle, Belgium
3 Centre for Research and Conservation, K. Astridplein 26, 2018 Antwerpen, Belgium
Given the rank-related fitness benefits found in other rabbit studies, we can theoretically expect the
development of a linear hierarchy by puberty (around 12 weeks). We describe the development of a
hierarchy in four mixed-sex groups formed after weaning at four weeks of age. The relationships
between rank and aggressiveness, weight, sex and wound count were examined.
To balance possible genetic effects each group contained four full sibling dyads (n=8) with the male
and female coming from the same litter (total n=32). Each group had a mesh wire cage of 0.72 m 2 .
The groups were observed at 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks. 1324 focal samples were carried out (total
220.67 hrs) with live scoring of all activities of the focal individual (The Observer, Noldus,
Wageningen). Simultaneously, agonistic interactions among all group members were sampled ad
libitum. For rank order analysis (MatMan) submissive behaviours shown after an agressive
behaviour were used.
Females were heavier than males (3.2 kg vs 3.0 kg: wk 12) and this difference became significant
from the sixth week (Anova, F=4.437, p=0.044, df=1). Two of the four groups developed
significantly linear hierarchies from the tenth and twelfth week on (i.e. they showed h’ indexes with
significant P values, MatMan, Noldus, Wageningen). Frequency of aggression increased with age in
three groups. Rank order did not correlate with weight (Spearman: n=27, rs =-0.015, p=0.93), nor
did both sexes show significantly different rank positions over the different groups (MWU,
Nmale=14, Nfemale=16, Z=-0.1467, p= 0.9). Aggressiveness increased with decreasing rank number
(Spearman: N=30, rs =-0.50, p=0.005), i.e. high ranking individuals (with low rank number) were
most aggressive. The wound count did not correlate with rank (Spearman: n=30, rs =-0.02, p=0.92).
Thus, there is some evidence that rabbits can form linear hierarchies, but with few rank effects at
the early stage studied here.
Contact information: Hilde Vervaecke or email hilde.vervaecke@kahosl.be
Complete address: Hospitaalstraat 21, 9100 Sint-Niklaas, Belgium
Species: Rabbit