Commercial rabbit farming has relied heavily on barren wire cages that severely restrict natural behaviours, but welfare reforms are transforming husbandry standards in several countries.
The welfare gap between conventional battery cages and enriched colony housing for farmed rabbits is enormous. In barren cages, rabbits cannot perform any of their essential behaviours: running, jumping, hiding, digging, or social interaction. The wire flooring causes hock sores and foot injuries. Social isolation is profoundly stressful for a social species. Colony systems dramatically improve welfare by allowing movement, choice, and social bonding — but require more management skill to prevent aggression within groups. The transition from cages to colony housing represents one of the most significant potential welfare improvements available in commercial rabbit farming, and consumer demand for higher-welfare certified rabbit products can accelerate this transition.