Farmed Rabbit Housing and Welfare Standards

Farmed rabbits are kept in conditions that vary from barren cages to enriched park housing - welfare science guides better standards.

Key Facts

The EU banned conventional barren cages for farmed rabbits in 2012 in some member states
Park housing systems provide group housing with elevated areas, hiding spaces, and bedding
Conventional individual battery cages allow almost no natural movement or social behaviour
Rabbits are highly social and suffer in isolation - group housing is essential for welfare
Foot problems are common in cages with mesh floors - solid or appropriate substrate is essential
UK rabbit production is smaller than EU equivalents but welfare standards vary significantly

Welfare Considerations

Farmed rabbit welfare has received less regulatory attention than broiler or laying hen welfare despite clear scientific evidence for species-specific needs. Rabbits have strong requirements for social contact, movement, hiding behaviour, and appropriate substrate. Conventional cage systems fail to meet these needs.

What You Can Do

Choose rabbit products only from farms using park or enriched housing systems
Ask retailers about the housing system used for farmed rabbits in their products
Support Compassion in World Farming campaigns for EU-wide farmed rabbit welfare legislation
Donate to rabbit welfare organisations researching and promoting better farming standards