Providing enrichment for farmed rabbits addresses their strong behavioral drive to explore, dig, and seek refuge — drives that cage systems completely prevent.
Enrichment for farmed rabbits addresses behavioral needs that wire cage systems prevent entirely. As prey animals, rabbits have strong drives to hide and escape, to burrow and explore, and to chew on varied substrates. When these drives cannot be expressed, the frustration manifests as stereotypic behaviors and elevated stress hormones. Simple, low-cost enrichments including elevated platforms, gnawing blocks, and opportunities for social interaction significantly improve welfare indicators without major cost increases.