Digital breeding and assisted management in organic rabbit farming: the first results
Résumé
The development of organic production is growing significantly, but the organic rabbit farming remains a niche
market in France. This lack of technical references is an obstacle to the development of the ‘alternative’ rabbit sector.
A smartphone application GAELA combining decision support (breeding management) and performance recording
(single, direct and secure entry on a public server) for rabbit farming using individual monitoring of breeders was
created. Performance of reproduction were compiled for 6 farms over 3 years of production (2018-2021). Preliminary
results indicated that the livestock size averaged 30 does and varied largely among the farms. With 3.9 matings, 2.6
parturitions per female/year were obtained (fertility rate averaged 66.8%). Total number of kits born by parturition
averaged 7.8 and total number of kits born alive averaged 7.1. At weaning, a low survival rate was recorded (69.3%).
If it could be increased to 85%, the sales revenue could increase 3,564 euros for a farm having 50 females producing 3
litters per year (based on an average of 1.6 kg carcass/rabbit at 15€/kg). The result confirmed the existence of a progress
margin in the management of the maternity unit, by improving the survival rate before weaning (housing management,
prophylaxy, etc.), while reducing the parturition interval, and without impairing the survival rate after weaning. This
first study validated the usefulness of GAELA and highlighted the potentialities of organic rabbit farming. GAELA
will be updated in 2022, with more features for daily management of rabbits, and data management. Moreover, a new
web service ‘GAELA-Web’ will be available in late 2022, to provide performances analysis for breeders. In 2023,
GAELA intends to provide animal prophylaxis and genealogy tracking. Thanks to GAELA, a national reference
system for all ‘non-conventional’ rabbit farming is now in progress.
Domaines
Science des productions animales
Origine : Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s)