# Rabbit Cage and Colony Housing Decisions: Welfare, Hygiene, and Management ## Key Takeaways - **Welfare Trade-offs:** Cage housing offers easier individual health monitoring and reduced aggression but severely limits locomotion and social expression, potentially leading to stereotypic behaviors. Colony housing provides more space and social interaction, reducing stereotypic behaviors, but increases risks of aggression, injury, and pathogen transmission. - **Hygiene and Disease Transmission:** Cage systems facilitate isolation of diseased animals and easier cleaning, reducing rapid pathogen spread. Colony systems, with shared air and surfaces, pose a higher risk of fecal-oral and respiratory pathogen transmission, necessitating more intensive cleaning and ventilation protocols to manage ammonia buildup. - **Management and Labor Demands:** Individual cage checks and cleaning are quick but labor-intensive per animal. Colony housing requires more time for group observation, deeper cleaning, and challenging group handling for treatments, though daily individual checks are less frequent. - **Enrichment and Behavioral Needs:** Cage limitations necessitate specific enrichment items like gnawing blocks and hiding places to compensate for restricted movement. Colony housing's greater space allows for structural enrichment and social stimuli, but requires careful group composition and resource distribution to minimize aggression. - **Production and Health Monitoring:** Cage systems allow for precise individual feed intake and weight gain recording, aiding genetic selection. Colony systems often rely on group-level metrics, complicating individual performance tracking but potentially improving reproductive success in stable groups if aggression is managed. --- [Rabbit housing](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/small-mammal-care/rabbit-housing-indoor-vs-outdoor-hutches-and-enrichment) decisions fundamentally influence welfare, hygiene, and management outcomes. Two primary systems dominate commercial and laboratory contexts: individual cages and colony pens. This article compares these systems using welfare indicators, aggression patterns, hygiene protocols, labor requirements, enrichment strategies, and production records. Evidence from peer-reviewed literature and international standards guides the analysis, while uncertainties that require veterinary and managerial judgment are noted. --- ## At a Glance | Aspect | Cage Housing | Colony Housing | |--------|-------------|----------------| | **Welfare indicators** | Reduced aggression, individual health monitoring possible, limited locomotion and social expression | Social contact and more space available, higher risk of aggression and injury, foot lesions may increase on soiled bedding | | **Hygiene** | Easier to isolate diseased animals, lower airborne ammonia risk if cleaned regularly, dust mite allergen may accumulate in bedding (Scopus 0019783643) | Shared air and surfaces facilitate pathogen transmission, cleaning more labor-intensive, higher ammonia build-up without adequate ventilation | | **Management labor** | Daily individual checks and cleaning quick, record-keeping straightforward | Requires more time for group observation and deeper cleaning, handling groups for treatment is challenging | | **Enrichment** | Limited by cage size, provision of gnawing blocks and hiding places recommended (Scopus 17144373320) | Greater space permits structural enrichment and social stimuli, risk of stereotypic bar biting reduced | | **Production records** | Individual feed intake and weight gain easily recorded, lower mortality from aggression | Group feed conversion ratios, mortality can spike from fighting, reproductive success may improve in stable groups | This table summarises broad trends. Specific outcomes depend on stocking density, group size and stability, environmental control, and the health status of the foundation stock. --- ## System Context and Planning Decisions ### Housing Types and Regulatory Frameworks Cage housing consists of individual wire or plastic enclosures with a solid or slatted floor, commonly used in meat rabbit operations and research facilities. Colony housing encompasses floor pens or elevated platforms with groups of rabbits, often promoted for behavioural enrichment. The [WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code](https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/standards/codes-and-manuals/terrestrial-code-online-access/) provides general welfare recommendations for farmed rabbits, including space allowances and environmental control. The [FAO Animal Production and Health](https://www.fao.org/animal-production/en/) guidelines emphasise that housing systems must allow species-typical behaviours while maintaining disease control. No single system is inherently superior, the choice depends on the producer’s biosecurity capacity, labour availability, and market requirements. The [Merck Veterinary Manual](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/) notes that both systems require regular cleaning, proper waste management, and avoidance of environmental extremes. ### Key Welfare and Production Indicators Comparative evaluations rely on measurable outcomes. Welfare indicators include: aggression (bites, scratches, hair loss), foot lesions (pododermatitis), stress hormone levels, and stereotypic behaviours (bar biting, over-grooming). Production indicators include: growth rate, feed conversion, mortality, and reproductive output. [PubMed record 42435677](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42435677/) and [PubMed record 42385951](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42385951/) offer evidence on aggression and foot health in confined systems. Published data inform but do not fully resolve the trade-offs between individual welfare and social needs. Professional escalation applies when a system predisposes the group to recurrent disease (e.g., pasteurellosis, coccidiosis) or when aggressive outbreaks cannot be managed through regrouping, enrichment, or culling. In such cases, veterinary advice on system modifications or temporary isolation is warranted. --- ## Core Management Framework ### Hygiene and Disease Prevention Hygiene management differs markedly between systems. Cage housing permits individual waste isolation, simplifying cleaning routes and reducing the risk of rapid pathogen spread. Colony housing creates a common environment where faecal,oral and respiratory transmission occur more readily. The [USDA National Animal Health Monitoring System](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/nahms) and the [FELASA recommendations](https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84903487016) for laboratory rabbits stress that colony design must incorporate separate ventilation, ease of disinfection, and a sanitation schedule that accommodates group occupancy. Dust mite allergen concentrations, measured in domestic environments (Scopus 0019783643), can be elevated in deep bedding colonies if not changed frequently, the clinical relevance for rabbit mucosal health requires further investigation. In both systems, a quarantine or isolation area for sick animals is essential. The [USDA APHIS Livestock and Poultry Disease](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease) portal outlines reportable conditions that protocols should address. When mortality or morbidity exceeds baseline thresholds, escalate investigation to rule out infectious disease. ### Enrichment and Behavioral Provision Environmental enrichment is a regulatory and welfare necessity. The [PubMed record 42106164](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42106164/) and Scopus 17144373320 describe enrichment requirements for rabbits: gnawing materials, hiding structures, and opportunities for foraging and digging. Cage housing requires enrichment to compensate for restricted movement, without it, stereotypic behaviours develop. Colony housing provides more space and conspecific contact, but social enrichment alone does not eliminate the need for structural elements. Group composition profoundly affects aggression. Stable, single-sex groups or pairs reduce fighting compared to dynamic regrouping. [PubMed record 42264954](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42264954/) indicates that aggressive interactions in colonies can be minimised through early socialisation and adequate resource distribution (feeders, waterers, shelters). Professional judgment is required to determine when enrichment items themselves pose a hygiene or injury risk (e.g., frayed edges, material that wicks urine). Monitoring enrichment use and adapting it to the group’s response is a continuous management task. ### Labor and Record-Keeping Implications Labour demands shape feasibility. Cage systems require daily inspection of each animal, rapid cleaning of individual trays, and straightforward identification of sick individuals. Colony systems demand more time for group observation, removal of soiled bedding, and treatment capture. Production records in cages are more detailed per animal, in colonies, group-level data suffice for many operations but complicate genetic selection and individual treatment histories. The [PubMed record 42344428](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42344428/) discusses record-keeping approaches in [rabbit production](/knowledge/animal-farming/rabbits/rabbit-welfare-and-enrichment-meeting-behavioral-needs-in-production-systems) that apply to both systems. The choice should align with farm goals: high,value breeding stock may justify the labour of cage housing, while commercial meat production may favour colony efficiencies if health and welfare can be maintained. Uncertainty remains about long-term outcomes for each system under variable management. Extension resources (such as those from [WOAH](https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/standards/codes-and-manuals/terrestrial-code-online-access/) and [FAO](https://www.fao.org/animal-production/en/)) advise consulting local veterinary and agricultural advisors when planning transitions between systems. ## Facilities and Environment [Rabbit housing systems](/knowledge/animal-farming/alternative-livestock/rabbit-housing-systems-cages-hutches-colony-pens) fall along a continuum from individual cages to colony pens, each presenting distinct trade-offs in space, microclimate control, and social dynamics. In cage systems, wire floors facilitate manure removal and reduce direct contact with excreta, factors that lower the risk of coccidiosis and respiratory disease associated with ammonia buildup (Merck Veterinary Manual). However, restricted movement and lack of substrate contribute to pododermatitis (sore hocks) and bone weakness. Colony housing provides greater floor area and opportunity for locomotion, but wet litter and poor drainage rapidly elevate bacterial loads and ammonia, particularly in deep-litter systems where ventilation is inadequate (FAO Animal Production and Health). Regardless of system, ventilation remains the primary tool for moisture and ammonia control, rabbits are obligate nasal breathers and highly sensitive to airborne irritants. In enclosed cage rooms, mechanical ventilation should deliver air uniformly at floor level, while outdoor colony sheds require ridge vents and side curtains adjusted for season. Thermal neutrality for domestic rabbits ranges from approximately 15,21 °C (59,70 °F), temperatures above 28 °C (82 °F) induce heat stress, manifesting as reduced feed intake, lethargy, and reproductive failure. Colony housing in hot climates often requires evaporative cooling or shaded, open-sided structures. Conversely, cold stress increases maintenance energy requirements and can predispose kits to hypothermia, especially in wire cages without nesting material. The FELASA recommendations for laboratory rabbits specify solid flooring in at least part of the enclosure, bedding for nesting and comfort, and platforms or elevated resting areas to allow postural variety (FELASA recommendations for the health monitoring of mouse, rat, hamster, guinea pig and rabbit colonies in breeding and [experimental units](/blog/guides/experimental-units-definition-examples-and-common-mistakes), 2014). These principles apply to commercial systems seeking to balance welfare with hygiene. ## Nutrition and Water Delivery Feeding systems must align with housing type. In individual cages, a rack-mounted hopper or trough delivers pelleted diets without waste and permits per-animal intake monitoring. In group colonies, multiple feeding stations reduce competition and should be placed at least 0.5 m apart to prevent [dominant](/blog/careers/dominant-definition-biology) animals from monopolizing feed. High-fiber diets (>18% crude fiber) are essential in all systems to prevent enteritis and hairball formation, especially when animals lack access to roughage. Water delivery via nipple drinkers or automatic cups minimizes spillage in cage systems, in colony pens, raised water points with drain pans or slatted platforms keep the floor dry, reducing fly breeding and dermatitis risk. Producers should measure daily water consumption per pen or per cage row , a sustained drop often precedes clinical illness by 24,48 hours (USDA APHIS Livestock and Poultry Disease). Nutritional needs vary by production stage: lactating does require 16,18% crude protein and elevated calcium for milk synthesis, whereas growing fryers tolerate 15,16% protein. Ad libitum feeding of high-energy diets to non-productive adults leads to obesity and hepatic lipidosis. ## Production-Stage Decisions The choice between cage and colony housing interacts with production stage. For service (mating), individual cage management allows precise timing: the doe is brought to the buck’s cage, and the date of mating is recorded. In colony breeding, bucks run continuously with a group of does, making paternity determination difficult and necessitating DNA testing or controlled mating periods (WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code). Gestation and kindling are safer in individual or small “maternity” cages where the doe can build a nest undisturbed and cannot be harassed by other females. Colony kindling risks disoriented does kindling on the wire, increased kit mortality due to trampling, and cross-suckling that confounds weaning records. For grow-out, weaned rabbits 30,90 days old can be housed in either system, however, aggression (ear biting, flank biting) peaks at pubertal onset (~12 weeks) in mixed-sex groups. Growers destined for slaughter are often raised in colony pens with stable social groups formed at weaning to minimize fighting. For bucks, individual housing remains standard because chronic aggression in group-housed males reduces libido and causes testicular damage. Replacement does may be raised in small groups of 4,6 until first service, then transitioned to individual cages to establish performance records for culling decisions. ## Records and Monitoring Production records must be system,specific. In cage operations, individual doe cards document litter size at birth and weaning, kits born alive vs. stillborn, and number weaned per doe per year (MWY). Colony systems rely on group,level metrics: weaned kits per mated doe per month, mortality to weaning, and average weaning weight. Without individual identification (ear tags or tattoos), it is impossible to identify poor,performing does, thus colony breeding is more suitable for genetic selection programs only when pedigrees are maintained via electronic ID. Regular weighing of a sample of growers (e.g., 10% of pen) at two,week intervals indicates whether feed delivery or health problems require adjustment. The USDA National Animal Health Monitoring System provides benchmarking protocols for commercial rabbitries, including recommended parameters for mortality, morbidity, and feed conversion. Records should also include environmental data: daily minimum and maximum temperature, relative humidity, and ammonia concentration measured at rabbit nose height using colorimetric tubes or electronic sensors. ## Welfare Indicators Welfare assessment draws on direct observation and system,induced pathology. In cage systems, chronic foot lesions are a key indicator: prevalence of pododermatitis in breeding does on 2.5 mm wire is higher than on 3.5 mm wire or on plastic perforated floors (Merck Veterinary Manual). In colony systems, facial or flank wounds from aggression should be scored weekly, if fresh bites are present on more than 10% of animals, group composition or density must be adjusted. Stereotypic behaviors , bar chewing, repetitive circling , occur more frequently in barren cages and signal compromised welfare. PubMed record 42435677 describes how limited space and lack of enrichment in commercial cages correlate with elevated corticosteroid metabolites. The WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code includes guidelines for acceptable stocking densities: each adult rabbit should have sufficient space to lie fully stretched, sit upright, and turn around, for a 4,kg doe, this requires at least 0.2 m² of floor area in a single cage and no fewer than 0.25 m² in a colony. Enrichment (gnawing blocks, hay, tunnels) reduces abnormal behaviors and also serves as a welfare indicator , if enrichment items are ignored, it may signal sickness or environmental stress (Environmental enrichment for laboratory rodents and rabbits, 2005). Pain or discomfort from disease (e.g., mastitis, pneumonia) can be inferred from hunched posture, reduced grooming, and ocular discharge, any such signs warrant veterinary consultation (FELASA recommendations). ## Worker and [Food Safety](/knowledge/bacteria/livestock-bacteria/cooking-chicken-bacteria-prevention) Worker safety concerns include zoonotic agents (tularemia, ringworm, Pasteurella multocida) and ergonomic injury from lifting heavy cages or feed bags. In colony systems, larger pens require entry into the enclosure, increasing risk of bites and kicks. Pre,exposure rabies vaccination is not standard for rabbit handlers, but gloves and bite,proof sleeves are recommended for colony cleaning. Feed hygiene must prevent contamination with rodent feces or urine, feed storage bins should be sealed and elevated. Water lines must be cleaned periodically to prevent biofilm that harbors Pseudomonas and E. coli. For meat production, rabbits should be withdrawn from feed 12,18 hours before slaughter to empty the digestive tract, reducing risk of fecal contamination during evisceration. Carcass inspection for abscesses, myxomatosis lesions, and tularaemic nodules is mandatory at abattoirs, suspect cases must be reported to the USDA APHIS Area Veterinarian in Charge. ## Failure Patterns Most failures in [rabbit housing systems](/knowledge/animal-farming/alternative-livestock/rabbit-housing-systems-cages-hutches-colony-pens) stem from ventilation inadequacy or improper group dynamics. In colony pens, the first sign of failure is an ammonia odor that irritates humans, at concentrations >25 ppm, respiratory epithelial damage occurs in rabbits and predisposes them to enzootic pneumonia. In cage systems, failure often appears as a cluster of pododermatitis within one rack row, indicating that wire floors have sagged or accumulated sharp edges. Weaning failure , high mortality between 21 and 28 days , is frequently due to maternal mastitis or coccidiosis, but may also arise from feed refusal if pelleted rations crumble or become moldy. Record analysis should flag any doe whose fertility (kits born alive per service) drops below the farm’s own historical baseline. Social failure in colonies presents as chronic wounding, small fatality clusters, or does that consistently abort, these animals should be removed from the group and evaluated individually. ## Practical Monitoring Daily checks take less than 30 minutes per 100 animals in cage systems: walk each aisle, observe posture, feed intake, and water flow. In colony systems, checks require entering each pen to inspect the floor for wet spots, feces consistency, and aggression. Weekly records of weight gain in growers and mortality numbers allow early detection of enteritis or respiratory outbreaks. Ammonia testing with simple detector tubes costs little and should be performed monthly in all seasons. Any rabbit with reduced appetite, diarrhea, or nasal discharge for more than 24 hours should be isolated and examined by a veterinarian. Routine necropsy of 3,5 dead rabbits per month helps identify subclinical disease threats. Environmental enrichment must be replenished at least twice weekly to remain effective. For producers who cannot commit to this monitoring intensity, individual cage systems provide simpler sanitation and health surveillance, whereas colony systems demand higher labor inputs and more skilled observation to maintain welfare and productivity. Effective health observation in rabbit housing systems requires integrating routine visual checks with individual handling where feasible. In colony pens, group dynamics can mask early signs of disease, animals that retreat from social interaction, reduce feeding, or exhibit dull coat are often overlooked until illness is advanced. The [WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code](https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/standards/codes-and-manuals/terrestrial-code-online-access/) emphasizes that stockpersons should be trained to recognize subtle behavioral changes such as decreased locomotion, hunched posture, or reduced fecal output. Caged systems permit close inspection of each rabbit, but the confined space may amplify stress-related behaviors like bar chewing or fur pulling, which themselves signal poor welfare. In both setups, weekly body weight records and fecal scoring provide objective data, the [Merck Veterinary Manual](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/) advises that a 10% weight loss over two weeks warrants veterinary consultation. Biosecurity protocols differ fundamentally between cage and colony housing. Cages arranged in rows with solid partitions reduce aerosolized pathogen spread, but manure handling and shared equipment (feed scoops, water lines) create fomite risks. The [USDA APHIS Livestock and Poultry Disease](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease) portal recommends all-in-all-out stocking for colony rooms to break disease cycles, whereas cages can be depopulated sequentially. Colony floors accumulate urine and feces more rapidly, regular litter replacement and core aeration are necessary to prevent ammonia buildup above 10 ppm, which is linked to respiratory irritation. The [FAO Animal Production and Health](https://www.fao.org/animal-production/en/) guidelines highlight that colostrum intake and early-life hygiene are especially critical in group housing, where maternal antibody transfer may be inconsistent in multiparous does. Diagnostic and veterinary escalation thresholds rely on syndromic surveillance. Acute mortality spikes, purulent nasal discharge, or sudden-onset diarrhea require immediate isolation of affected animals and submission of fresh carcasses for necropsy. Common differentials include epizootic rabbit enteropathy, pasteurellosis, and coccidiosis. The [FELASA recommendations for health monitoring of rabbit colonies](https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84903487016) (2014) outline a tiered screening approach: sentinel animals should be placed in colony pens, while caged rabbits may be sampled individually at higher cost. Practitioners must decide whether to treat symptomatically or cull based on production phase and economic margins, without culture and sensitivity results, antimicrobial selection involves uncertainty. Escalation to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory is warranted when herd-level morbidity exceeds 5% in a one-week period or when clinical signs do not resolve after three days of supportive care. Uncertainty remains inherent in comparing cage and colony outcomes for chronic conditions such as subclinical mastitis or metabolic bone disease. Published studies often differ in breed, stocking density, and ventilation, limiting external validity. The [PubMed record 42435677](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42435677/) and [42385951](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42385951/) offer data on lesion prevalence but do not resolve which system minimizes total welfare compromise. Producers should track their own production records (mortality, growth rate, feed conversion) and adjust housing decisions seasonally. Interdisciplinary consultation with an animal welfare scientist can help interpret ambiguous evidence. Sustainability of rabbit housing involves trade-offs. Cage systems use less floor space per animal and automate waste removal, reducing labor inputs and water consumption for cleaning. Colony pens may require more bedding material and manual disinfection, but they allow natural behaviors such as digging and social grooming, which may lower chronic stress responses. The [PubMed record 17144373320](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17144373320/) notes that environmental enrichment in colonies can reduce agonistic behavior if structural complexity (tunnels, platforms) is adequate. Manure management in colonies often produces a drier litter fraction that can be composted on farm, supporting circular nutrient use. However, the [PubMed record 0019783643](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/0019783643/) warns that dust mite allergen levels can be higher in deep-litter colony buildings, necessitating ventilation adjustments. Lifecycle assessments remain scarce, producers are advised to consult local extension services for region-specific resource-use benchmarks. ## Frequently Asked Questions 1. **How do I monitor health in a colony pen where rabbits hide?** Install elevated resting platforms and observe from a distance at feeding time. Use a torch to inspect ear position, eye discharge, and respiration. Any rabbit that fails to come forward for feed within five minutes should be caught for individual examination. 2. **What biosecurity measure is most important when switching from cages to colony housing?** Strict all-in-all-all-out stocking with a minimum seven-day empty period between batches. Clean and disinfect all surfaces, including water lines, and avoid sharing equipment between age groups. 3. **When should I call a veterinarian for a rabbit housing problem?** If more than 2% of animals die in 48 hours, if does abort or fail to kindle, or if you observe neurologic signs such as head tilt or incoordination. Also call if you suspect a notifiable disease listed by your national veterinary authority. 4. **Can I use the same vaccination protocol for caged and colony rabbits?** Yes, but colony rabbits may need booster doses at shorter intervals due to higher pathogen exposure. Consult your veterinarian for serological testing to confirm vaccine efficacy. 5. **How do I handle aggression in a colony pen?** Separate aggressive individuals immediately. Ensure enclosure complexity with multiple feeding stations and hiding barrels. Breeding trios (one buck, two does) often reduce fighting compared to large mixed groups. 6. **What is the optimal stocking density for colony pens?** There is no universal threshold, the [FAO Animal Production and Health](https://www.fao.org/animal-production/en/) recommends 1.5 to 2 square meters per adult rabbit with a group size not exceeding 10 animals. Adjust based on breed size and ventilation capacity. 7. **How do I manage ammonia in colony housing?** Increase ventilation rate to maintain relative humidity below 70% and use litter materials with high absorptive capacity (e.g., wood shavings). Spot-clean wet areas daily and fully replace bedding every two weeks. 8. **Is colony housing suitable for commercial meat production?** Some producers achieve comparable growth rates to cages with careful genetic selection for docility and disease resistance. However, labor costs for cleaning and monitoring are typically higher. Start with a pilot pen to assess local market acceptance before converting entire barns. --- **Educational veterinary notice.** This information is intended for animal-health professionals and experienced rabbit producers. Housing decisions should be made in consultation with a licensed veterinarian who can evaluate your specific farm conditions, local disease prevalence, and regulatory requirements. No single system is superior in all contexts, continuous record keeping and periodic welfare audits are essential for optimizing both rabbit health and economic sustainability. ## Related Farming Guides - [Rabbit Farming Housing Feeding Breeding Welfare And Health Observation](/knowledge/animal-farming/rabbits/rabbit-farming-housing-feeding-breeding-welfare-and-health-observation) - [Rabbit Housing Design For Health And Welfare](/knowledge/animal-farming/rabbits/rabbit-housing-design-for-health-and-welfare) - [Rabbit Biosecurity And Quarantine](/knowledge/animal-farming/rabbits/rabbit-biosecurity-and-quarantine) - [Preventing Digestive Problems In Farmed Rabbits](/knowledge/animal-farming/rabbits/preventing-digestive-problems-in-farmed-rabbits) - [Farm Health Intelligence Observation Records Biosecurity Diagnostics And Veterinary Escalation](/knowledge/animal-farming/farm-management/farm-health-intelligence-observation-records-biosecurity-diagnostics-and-veterinary-escalation) ## Related Clinical & Scientific Guides * [Rabbit Housing for Meat Production: Efficient and Humane Systems](/knowledge/animal-farming/rabbits/rabbit-housing-meat-production-efficient-humane) * [Raising Meat Rabbits From Weaning to Processing Weight](/knowledge/animal-farming/rabbits/raising-meat-rabbits-from-weaning-to-processing-weight) * [Rabbit Cage Sizing and Space Requirements by Breed and Stage](/knowledge/animal-farming/rabbits/rabbit-cage-sizing-space-requirements-breed-stage) ## References and Further Reading - [FAO Animal Production and Health](https://www.fao.org/animal-production/en/) - [WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code](https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/standards/codes-and-manuals/terrestrial-code-online-access/) - [USDA APHIS Livestock and Poultry Disease](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease) - [Merck Veterinary Manual](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/) - [USDA National Animal Health Monitoring System](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/nahms) > This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, treatment, public-health guidance, or regulatory reporting.