Farm Animals

Farmed Rabbit Welfare: Enriched Housing System Design

Enriched housing systems for farmed rabbits that enable core behaviours represent the welfare minimum beyond barren cages.

Key Facts

Elevated platforms allow rabbits to survey their environment satisfying a core behavioural need
Gnawing materials support dental welfare and satisfy a primary behavioural drive in rabbits
Hiding areas reduce chronic stress from exposed housing without cover
Social housing in pairs or small groups allows social contact essential for rabbit welfare

Welfare Considerations

Rabbits in enriched systems with platforms, gnawing materials, hiding areas, and social contact show dramatically better welfare than those in barren cages. The transition to enriched housing is commercially viable and driven by both regulation and consumer demand. Enriched housing represents the welfare floor, not the ceiling.

What You Can Do

Choose rabbit products from enriched or cage-free systems where available
Support EU regulation reform requiring minimum enriched housing for farmed rabbits
Advocate for UK rabbit welfare standards that require all core behavioural needs to be met