Rabbit farming uses intensive housing systems that prevent natural movement and behavior, causing significant welfare compromise in millions of animals.
Farmed rabbit welfare receives far less attention than chicken or pig welfare despite comparable numbers and comparable welfare concerns. Conventional battery-style cages prevent rabbits from standing fully upright, running, jumping, or performing natural exploratory behaviors. The resulting behavioral restriction produces the same frustration-driven stereotypies seen in other intensively housed species. More spacious pen systems with enrichment exist and are used by higher welfare producers, demonstrating that improvement is achievable. Consumer awareness of farmed rabbit welfare remains low, limiting market pressure for change.