The transition from individual wire cages to colony and group housing systems for farmed rabbits is progressing in some European markets, with significant welfare improvements documented in well-designed systems.
Farmed rabbit colony systems represent one of the clearest wins available in farm animal welfare improvement. The welfare benefits of group housing over individual wire cages are well-documented and substantial: rabbits in colonies express natural behaviours, develop normal bone density from movement, and show lower rates of the stereotypic behaviour that signals chronic frustration. The challenge is practical: managing groups of rabbits requires more skill than managing individual cages, and rabbit social dynamics can lead to fighting and injury if groups are not properly composed. Well-designed colony systems with appropriate group sizes, hiding places, and social monitoring demonstrate that these challenges are manageable with appropriate training and investment.