Rabbit farming welfare is undergoing reform as evidence of wire cage welfare failures drives transition to enriched and park systems in European and global markets.
Farmed rabbit welfare has historically been neglected compared to chickens and pigs, with wire battery cage systems persisting far longer than equivalent systems for other species. The welfare case against wire cages for rabbits is clear: hock sores from wire flooring, inability to perform locomotory behaviors including running and jumping, and social deprivation from individual housing all represent severe welfare failures. The EU transition to enriched systems from 2027 represents meaningful progress, and park systems that allow group housing and natural behavior expression are achievable at acceptable production cost. Consumer demand for higher welfare rabbit products needs to increase to support market-led transition.