Farmed rabbit welfare requires addressing the specific behavioral needs of highly active, social animals that suffer significantly in the small wire cages that have historically dominated commercial production.
Farmed rabbit welfare has historically been poorly addressed despite the large numbers involved. The small wire battery cages standard in much of European rabbit production prevent almost all natural behavior — rabbits cannot run, jump, dig or socialize appropriately. The transition to park systems and enriched colony housing dramatically improves behavioral freedom but requires more complex management to control disease and aggression. The welfare challenge with rabbit farming involves recognizing these animals as highly sentient, behaviorally complex creatures whose needs have been systematically ignored in production system design. Species-specific welfare standards addressing behavior, space, substrate and social housing are needed urgently.