Study of maternal behaviour in a line of
rabbits highly-selected for prolificacy
HOST RESEARCH GROUP
Name of the
Laboratory: Genetic and Physiology of Breeding Systems
Name of the
group: Modelling and Genetics
Host
institution: INRA
Websites:
Short
project description:
Genetic
selection in livestock may have consequences on the behaviour of animals
(Canario et al., 2013). For example in pigs, it was shown that sow and
piglet behaviours at farrowing have been modified with selection for several
decades on lean growth and prolificacy (Rydhmer and Canario, 2014). The
projects carried out to study genetics of behaviour in livestock at INRA refer
to the setting of experiments, with breed comparison and crossbreeding,
including fine recording of behaviour with both video recording and behavioural
observations on farm.
At INRA of Auzeville, a rabbit line selected for 47
generations on litter size is available to design a behavioural study.
Behavioural characteristics of rabbits have been lowly analysed by the past, so
there is room for large investigation. The objective of the research project is
to establish reliable measurements of doe behaviour over successive litters and
to estimate associations with offspring survival and growth. The repeatability
of behavioural reaction to novelty, human and offspring manipulation will be a
question of interest. The training period (first semester 2015) will be divided
in 2 periods of equal duration, the first one dedicated to the experiment and
the second one, to the statistical analysis of the results (R software). The
rabbit species will be used as a model. A large amount of data can be collected
from many animals in a short time period, leading to the proposal of strategies
to improve both rabbit welfare and production.
Techniques
that will be used by the student:
The student will be in charge of the setting of
a protocol and of the daily behavioural measurements on farm. Direct
observations on farm will be preferred but video recording can be realized on a
sample of animals. This work will require strong interactions with the persons
in charge of the farm, and manipulation of rabbits. Data on offspring survival
and growth until weaning will be available. The student will carry out the
statistical analyses of these data.
Background/skills
requested:
Candidates with background in animal behaviour science and basic understanding of statistics
RESEARCH SUPERVISOR:
Laurianne
Canario – researcher on genetics of adaptation
References
Canario
L., Mignon-Grasteau S.,Dupont-Nivet M., Phocas F. 2013.
Genetics of behavioural adaptation of livestock to farming conditions. Animal,
7 :3, 357-377.
Canario L., Mignon-Grasteau S.,Dupont-Nivet
M., Phocas F. 2013. Génétique de l’adaptation comportementale des animaux aux
conditions d’élevage : le cas des productions bovines, porcines, avicoles et
aquacoles. INRA Productions Animales, 26 :1, 35-49.
Rydhmer
L, Canario L. 2014.
Behavioral genetics in pigs and relations to welfare. Book chapter in: Genetics
and the Behavior of Domestic Animals 2nd Edition – edited by Temple Grandin and Mark J. Deesing.