Farmed rabbits are produced in enormous numbers globally under conditions that are among the poorest of any farmed species, with welfare reforms gaining momentum.
Farmed rabbit welfare is significantly neglected relative to other major farmed species. Wire-floored conventional cages cause pododermatitis (sore hocks) from continuous wire contact, deny natural burrowing and hiding behaviors, and prevent social interaction appropriate to the species. The psychological welfare cost of permanent wire cage confinement for a prey animal with strong hiding motivations is substantial. Enriched colony systems — floor-level housing with appropriate social groups, bedding, and hiding places — significantly improve welfare indicators. Slaughter welfare is also a concern: stunning methods vary in effectiveness, and unanesthetized killing is documented in some small-scale settings. Consumer awareness of rabbit welfare conditions is lower than for chicken or pork, limiting market pressure for reform.