Rabbit farming welfare assessment uses specific metrics addressing the species social needs, fear responses, and housing requirements that differ significantly from other farmed species.
Farmed rabbit welfare is chronically under-regulated and under-scrutinized despite the enormous numbers of animals involved. Conventional wire-floored battery cages deprive rabbits of the ability to run, jump, stand upright, or engage in normal social behavior — deprivations that cause chronic physical and psychological stress. The resulting immunosuppression and gut dysbiosis drive high rates of digestive disease that in turn require antibiotic intervention, creating a cycle where poor welfare drives poor biosecurity. Park housing systems that provide larger spaces with platforms, hiding areas, and group housing dramatically improve welfare metrics across all assessed domains. Consumer demand for improved rabbit welfare is lower than for other species, making regulatory pressure the primary driver of change.