Animal welfare in rabbit farming: Meeting the “cage-free” challenge through precision nutrition

The European Citizens’ Initiative “End the Cage Age” marks a major turning point for farming in Europe. Faced with growing societal and regulatory pressure, phasing out cages is no longer just a possibility. It is a shared goal that all stakeholders must work towards. For the rabbit industry, transitioning to alternative systems requires rethinking production models. The main challenge? Balancing the expression of the animals’ natural behaviours with maintaining zootechnical and economic performance, while managing environmental stress. In this complex equation, precision nutrition stands out as an essential strategic tool.

Animal welfare is defined as “the physical and mental state of an animal in relation to the conditions in which it lives and dies”. According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, this concept is based on the “Five Freedoms”, which include:
• freedom to express normal behaviour for its species;
• freedom from fear and distress;
• freedom from physical and/or thermal stress;
• freedom from pain, injury and disease;
• freedom from hunger, thirst and malnutrition.

Therefore, nutrition plays a central role. It must constantly adapt to housing and environmental conditions to preserve health and ensure optimal welfare.

THE “CAGE-FREE” CHALLENGE: BALANCING NATURAL BEHAVIOURS AND ZOOTECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) “End the Cage Age” gathered nearly 1.4 million signatures. This prompted the European Commission to make a ban on cages a legislative priority for 2026. Rather than just undergoing these changes, the French rabbit industry has been proactive. It has engaged in a collaborative approach, setting an ambitious goal: to reach 30% alternative housing for fattening rabbits by 2030.

A. Undeniable behavioural benefits
New housing methods (parks, floor pens with or without outdoor access) aim to improve rabbits’ ability to express natural behaviours. Studies conducted by TECHNA⁽¹⁾ confirm the positive impact of these floor systems (Figure 1) on behavioural welfare. Although resting remains the rabbit’s main activity (about 66% of the time), animals raised in alternative systems move around significantly more. Moving time increases from 4.8% in conventional cages to 6.2% in parks, and up to 13% in floor pens with outdoor access. Furthermore, there is a notable reduction in stereotypic behaviours. For instance, excessive grooming, considered a response to an unstimulating environment, is seen in 16% of caged rabbits, compared to an average of only 7% in alternative systems. Rabbits can also stand on their hind legs more easily, directly reflecting their behaviour in the wild (Figure 2).

B. The zootechnical and health dilemma
However, the core challenge of transitioning to cage-free systems lies in maintaining farm performance. Despite the behavioural benefits, TECHNA’s studies and field feedback highlight real difficulties. Increased physical activity in group parks leads to lower growth performance. This results in a tendency towards lower body weights and a worsened feed conversion ratio, assuming the diet remains the same. Health risks are also higher because the group effect increases contagion and the frequency of digestive issues. Additionally, hygiene becomes more complex. Managing cleaning and disinfection protocols is harder in pens, which helps pathogens survive. For the nutritionist, a successful transition therefore relies on a multi-criteria approach, combining animal welfare, technical performance, and economic viability.

MANAGING FARM CONDITIONS: PREVENTING HEAT STRESS TO ENSURE RABBIT WELFARE
Evaluating welfare goes beyond the size of the enclosure. It involves knowing how to manage farms in all conditions, especially when facing climate hazards. This means respecting the freedom from thermal stress.

The rabbit is highly sensitive to heat. It struggles metabolically as soon as the temperature exceeds 26°C. We can even see early signs of poorer performance at more moderate temperatures, starting from 21°C. A TECHNA study⁽²⁾ showed a 22% drop in feed intake when the average temperature rose from 19°C to 25°C in maternity (Figure 3). This caused lower growth rates in young rabbits, a loss of body condition in females, and a higher health risk. Relative air humidity makes things worse by changing the temperature actually felt by the animals. For example, 35°C combined with 100% relative humidity is much harder to tolerate than 40°C with only 20% humidity. Even in closed, well-equipped buildings (with fans and cooling systems), fine-tuning temperature and humidity remains difficult.

PRECISION NUTRITION: THE SCIENTIFIC
LINK BETWEEN WELFARE
AND RABBIT PERFORMANCE
In this context of major challenges (cage-free systems, climate hazards, health pressures), precision nutrition stands out as a vital strategic tool. At TECHNA, this approach is built on three main pillars (Figure 4).

Pillar 1: Fibre Expertise, The Foundation of Digestive Safety
In rabbit farming, nearly half of all health issues are digestive (bacteria, viruses, dysbiosis, stress). These can lead to high mortality rates. Controlled starch and protein levels are necessary, but the role of fibre is absolutely crucial for the health of the caecum, the main reservoir in the rabbit’s digestive tract. Research by TECHNA, recognised as an expert in rabbit fibre nutrition, shows the importance of balancing two main types of fibre:

• Indigestible fibres (cellulose and lignin): Barely digested, they act as a mechanical “sweeper”. They reduce the time feed spends in the digestive tract, preventing the growth of harmful bacteria and the build-up of gas. They are vital for reducing diarrhoea symptoms.

• Digestible fibres (hemicelluloses and pectin): Used as a substrate by the gut flora, they are fermented and produce volatile fatty acids (VFAs), which provide energy for the rabbit. This fermentation lowers the caecal pH, creating a hostile environment for pathogens. They are particularly effective in reducing paresis (stoppage of the digestive transit).

This expertise also involves maintaining a strict balance between these two types of fibre during formulation. This is achieved mainly by using the Digestible Fibre / ADF ratio⁽³⁾. This scientific expertise is directly applied through Lapilest. This raw material was specifically designed by TECHNA to make rabbit feed safer, while keeping things simple for the feed manufacturer.

Pillar 2: Dynamic Formulation and Adaptive Feeding Strategies
Precision nutrition means adapting specifications to different physiological stages and farming contexts. This aligns nutritional intake with the animals’ needs. To do this, it relies on fine-tuning raw material matrices based on the results of strict quality control plans.

• Matrices: Technical and economic safety goes beyond simply checking raw materials and finished products (nutritional and hygiene criteria). TECHNA’s added value for its feed manufacturer clients lies in the dynamic, real-time adjustment of their formulation matrices. This is done notably using Black Box, a dedicated tool for creating raw material matrices. Regularly adapting the matrices guarantees absolute nutritional consistency. This is essential for stabilising the rabbit’s digestive system, which is sensitive to major changes in the feed formula.

• Adapted feed specifications: The shift to group parks, along with climate change, alters the rabbits’ needs. They are more active and eat less feed. TECHNA includes these new variables when formulating diets. These specifications help offset the increase in energy expenditure or the drop in feed intake, while managing digestive risks.

• Adjusted feeding programmes: TECHNA supports feed manufacturers in designing tailor-made feeding programmes and distribution plans. These are adapted to the farm’s constraints and goals, as well as health conditions and genetics. TECHNA’s deep understanding of rabbit feeding behaviour allows it to perfectly tailor its feeding recommendations.

Pillar 3: Functional Supplementation, A Key Lever for Health Prevention
Phasing out cages and increasing flock sizes in floor parks undeniably raise infection pressures. More frequent heatwaves also put a heavy strain on the animals’ bodies. In this context, beyond basic nutrition, the strategic use of feed additives is the third fundamental pillar for ensuring farm viability.

To help the industry face these challenges, TECHNA’s scientific approach relies on providing targeted functional solutions.

• Controlling the digestive and parasitic ecosystem: The rise in parasites is strongly linked to higher floor densities. Controlling health issues therefore requires dedicated nutritional strategies. This is exactly the goal of specialised product ranges like Suriance and Rabiance, designed to limit these risks.

• Physiological support against environmental stress: Because animals are more exposed, particularly to heat stress, using liver protectors, antioxidants, electrolytes, or respiratory tract protectors is highly recommended to maintain homeostasis.

• Strengthening overall immunity: Optimising immune status and improving the herd’s general resistance complete this preventive approach. Solutions like Imun’up or Kaoline perfectly illustrate this commitment to supporting the animal’s natural defences against new environmental stresses.

CONCLUSION
“End the Cage Age” is a shift that should drive innovation across the whole rabbit industry. To meet this major challenge, the approach must move away from standard models and become holistic. It must combine rigorous on-farm welfare assessments – using reference tools like EBENE® – with complete scientific control of farming practices and nutritional levers. By rolling out its expertise in precision nutrition (fibre balance, adjusted matrices), farming techniques (feeding methods), and natural health (dedicated additives), TECHNA is committed to helping its manufacturing clients improve sustainable performance. In the future, success will belong to those who can turn environmental and societal challenges into opportunities for progress. This will ensure animal health, the economic viability of the industry, and comfortable daily working conditions for farmers.

Bibliography:
(1) Study of the fattening rabbit behavior according to four housing systems, Rebours et al., WRC, 2024
(2) Effets de la température ambiante sur les consommations d’aliment et les performances en maternité, Vastel et al., JRC, 2025
(3) Effets du rapport entre fibres digestibles et indigestibles dans l’aliment sur la santé digestive et les performances des lapins en engraissement, Rebours et al., JRC, 2019

About Paméla Vastel
Holding an engineering degree in Animal Production, Paméla Vastel has dedicated her career to the rabbit sector across its entire supply chain, active within bodies like ASFC, WRC, JRC, and CLIPP. Following field experience in feed manufacturing, she has been a Rabbit Specialist at TECHNA for 16 years. She leverages her expertise to provide feed mills with tailored solutions driving performance, economic profitability, animal welfare, and the long-term sustainability of the rabbit industry.

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