Rabbit Farming: Indoor Microclimate

The surrounding environment plays a crucial role in livestock production. Several physical factors influence the efficiency of production, health, and animal welfare in small- and large-scale production systems. These interrelationships within and between the environment and animals assume a special relevance in high-producing meat rabbits reared on a large scale. A significant number of rabbits are produced as a close population developing a dynamic microclimate inside the sheds. Animal density, temperature, relative humidity, ventilation, and luminosity are the main factors accurately controlled to ensure the sustainability of the rabbitries. Most environmental monitoring is automated. In small-scale housing systems, rabbits are more dependent on natural conditions. Nonetheless, they can profit from technological advances in the rabbit industry to accomplish their function, mainly in impoverished rural areas, to provide food-derived products and services in local markets. This chapter highlights the main issues related to indoor environmental factors in both large- and small-scale rabbit production.