Higher Welfare Systems for Rabbits - Practical Options

Cage-free housing systems which take into account the needs of rabbits by providing them with more space and a more comfortable and stimulating environment have a higher welfare potential than caged systems.

Investing in well-designed cage-free systems for rabbits is considered to be a future-proof investment in the face of upcoming changes to the European legislation and evolving consumer expectations.

This document shares practical information for food companies and producers planning their transition to cage-free rabbit systems, covering:

• Welfare issues in caged rabbit production.
• The business case for a transition to cage-free rabbit production.
• Key features of rabbit housing to ensure good welfare.
• An overview of commercially available cage-free alternatives for growing rabbits.
• Recommendations on higher welfare housing for does.
• Assessing rabbit welfare using animal-based welfare outcome measures.