Colonies

Colony Housing of Domestic Rabbits

Colony housing is a management system in which domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are kept together in large shared enclosures rather than individually . While some breeders and hobbyists use this approach, the system presents significant welfare, management, and production challenges. Research generally concludes that the disadvantages outweigh the benefits for both rabbits and caretakers.

Challenges of Colony Housing

Territoriality and Aggression

Rabbits are highly territorial animals. Introducing multiple animals into a shared space often results in severe fighting, injuries, or death, especially during the establishment phase. Rabbits establish dominance hierarchies in which dominant individuals demand submission from subordinates daily, with violence occurring if this is not displayed (1). Subordinate rabbits often live in a chronic state of stress.

Studies on colony-housed domestic rabbits have shown elevated aggression compared to individually housed rabbits, leading to increased injuries and stress markers (2).

Space Requirements

To reduce aggression, large amounts of space are required. Practical observations suggest a minimum of 50–80 square feet per doe and 30–50 square feet per buck when housed with does. Even at these levels, some animals may attempt to claim larger areas, making full compatibility difficult.

Predators, Parasites, and Pathogens

Colony rabbits housed on soil are highly vulnerable to the “three P’s”: predators, parasites, and pathogens. Soil environments promote persistence of coccidia (Eimeria spp.), Pasteurella, and other pathogens that are difficult to eliminate once established (3). Parasite loads are consistently higher in ground systems than in cage or pen housing.

Breeding Control

When multiple bucks are present, pedigree tracking becomes impossible. Litters may be lost if does nest underground, and failed litters may go unnoticed. If a buck is housed permanently with does, continuous back-to-back breeding occurs, which can physically exhaust does.

Maternal Behavior

Not all does display good maternal behavior in colonies. Some kill or injure kits, and kits born in underground burrows may be unrecoverable. This complicates both welfare management and selective breeding programs.

Effects on Stress and Meat Quality

Behavioral and physiological studies indicate that rabbits in colonies experience higher baseline stress and fear responses than those in individual or controlled group housing (2). Elevated cortisol levels have been measured in colony environments, comparable to wild counterparts that must remain constantly vigilant.

Contrary to some anecdotal claims, colony housing does not improve meat quality. Multiple controlled studies have shown that cage- or pen-raised rabbits produce carcasses with better tenderness, higher consumer acceptance, and lower cooking loss:

• Dalle Zotte et al. (2009) found restricted feeding and group housing negatively affected carcass traits and meat tenderness (4).
• Szendrő et al. (2012) reported that cage-raised rabbits yielded superior meat quality compared to colony housing (5).
• A 2022 German study comparing WRSA cages with larger “park” systems found higher levels of cortisol and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in park-housed rabbits, suggesting greater stress and potential negative impacts on welfare and meat quality (6).

Across studies, colony or park rabbits consistently showed tougher meat and higher physiological stress responses than rabbits kept in cage or pen systems.

Summary

While colony housing of rabbits may appear “natural,” it exposes animals to heightened risks of aggression, injury, disease, predation, reproductive mismanagement, and reduced meat quality. Research consistently finds that domestic rabbits, unlike their wild ancestors, fare better in systems that minimize stress, allow individual care, and provide controlled breeding and hygiene. For these reasons, most commercial and pedigree breeders avoid colony housing in favor of individual housing systems.

References

1. Mykytowycz, R. (1958). *Social behaviour of an experimental colony of wild rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.).* CSIR Wildlife Research Section Technical Paper.

2. Verga, M., Luzi, F., & Carenzi, C. (2007). Welfare aspects in rabbit rearing and transport. *Italian Journal of Animal Science*, 6(sup1), 537–547.

3. Pakandl, M. (2009). Coccidia of rabbit: a review. *Folia Parasitologica*, 56(3), 153–166.

4. Dalle Zotte, A., Paci, G., Cullere, M., & Szendrő, Zs. (2009). Effect of restricted feeding and group housing on performance, carcass traits, and meat quality in rabbits. *Meat Science*, 81(4), 674–678.

5. Szendrő, Zs., Szabó-Szentgróti, E., & Dalle Zotte, A. (2012). Effect of housing system on the carcass traits and meat quality of rabbits. *World Rabbit Science*, 20(1), 1–9.

6. Jilge, B., Kemper, N., Krieter, J., & Fels, M. (2022). Preliminary evidence regarding the detection of cortisol and IL-6 to assess animal welfare in various rabbit housing systems. *Animals*, 12(22), 3177. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/12/10/1622