[Bite wounds in young rabbits inflicted by adults of the same breed as a result of incomplete group separation (case report)].

Domestic rabbits should be able to exhibit their species specific behaviour patterns, including social contact, despite being kept in cages or in pens. Numerous housing systems have been studied and tried recently with the aim of providing appropriate keeping conditions for these animals (GEROLD, 1993). However, apparently optimal housing systems can lead to unexpected problems. Rabbits of two newly established pens were separated by a coarse-meshed (3 x 3 cm) grating allowing visual and tactile contact. Through this grating adult rabbits inflicted bite wounds to the front feet or the nasolabial regions of the weaned animals housed on the other side. Deep bites and lacerations requiring treatment occurred. Contact between separately housed rabbits must be restricted sufficiently to prevent the injuries described here.