Farmed rabbits face significant welfare challenges in intensive cage systems, including inability to perform natural movement behaviours and chronic reproductive stress on breeding does.
Farmed rabbit welfare is poorly regulated and poorly known to consumers. Wire cage systems prevent the jumping, running, and exploratory behaviours rabbits are highly motivated to perform. Inability to express these behaviours creates chronic frustration measurable through stereotypic bar-chewing and abnormal body movements. Breeding does experience reproductive exhaustion from near-continuous cycling, and the physical demands of frequent lactation cause progressive body condition deterioration. Kits separated early from does show impaired social development. Higher-welfare park systems that allow group housing and movement represent a genuine improvement, but adoption is slow due to increased management complexity and costs.