Most commercially sold rabbit hutches are far too small to meet rabbits' physical and psychological needs. Inadequate housing is the most widespread welfare problem in UK domestic rabbits.
Rabbits confined to small hutches cannot stand fully upright, perform binkies (happy jumps), run, or explore — all natural behaviours essential to welfare. Studies show stereotypic bar-chewing, excessive aggression and depression in rabbits housed in inadequate spaces. Housing rabbits in hutch-and-run systems that allow constant access to larger areas substantially improves welfare.