Traditional rabbit hutch housing is widely considered inadequate for rabbit welfare, with minimum space requirements now recognised to need significant updating.
Rabbit housing welfare is a classic example of tradition persisting despite evidence. The small hutch housing generations of British rabbit keepers used provides less space than the minimum needed for rabbits to take three consecutive hops. Rabbits require space for their characteristic binky jumps, space to run at speed, height to stand on their hind legs, and 24-hour access to a connected exercise area. Isolated single rabbits suffer from the absence of conspecific social bonds. Modern welfare guidelines from veterinary organisations provide evidence-based housing standards that are dramatically better than historical norms.