Rabbits are highly social animals - group housing provides welfare benefits but requires careful management of space, resources, and social dynamics.
Group housing of rabbits substantially improves welfare when space and resource provision is adequate, but welfare can deteriorate in overcrowded or under-resourced environments. Hierarchy enforcement through chasing and aggression is normal but chronic bullying causes suffering. Multiple food stations, water points, and hiding spaces reduce resource competition. The RWAF recommendation for pairs as the baseline social unit reflects evidence that stable pairs can more reliably provide companionship without complex group dynamics requiring intensive management.