Rabbits are the third most farmed animal in Europe, yet their welfare receives far less attention than pigs or poultry. Understanding rabbit ethology and the welfare failures of conventional cage systems is essential to improving outcomes for hundreds of millions of animals.
The welfare gap between conventional rabbit farming and the behavioural needs of the species is enormous. Rabbits evolved to live in warrens with complex burrow systems, running courses, and elevated positions for vigilance. Wire battery cages prevent all these behaviours, causing chronic frustration and high rates of stereotypic behaviour, aggression, and disease. Park systems that allow group housing with enrichment show lower mortality and better welfare indicators, demonstrating that production improvements and welfare improvements are aligned. The lack of EU-level species-specific standards for farmed rabbits represents a major regulatory gap. Consumer demand for welfare-certified rabbit products and advocacy for regulation reform can accelerate improvement.