Wild rabbit populations create agricultural conflicts that are managed through various methods with significantly different welfare implications for individual animals.
Agricultural rabbit control involves welfare trade-offs depending on method. Gassing is one of the most welfare-compromising methods causing prolonged toxic death for all animals in treated warrens. Shooting by skilled marksmen provides immediate death and can be coupled with conservation of habitat for other species. Ferreting with lurchers traditionally provides reasonably rapid death while also being a cultural practice. Choosing the most humane effective method reduces welfare harm from necessary control.