Constructing a couple of outdoor enclosures costs far less than building many cages. An area of 110 square metres can accommodate 200 free-range rabbits and ten breeding does. It would require 25 cages with eight growing rabbits per cage to match the free-range system. In addition the breeding does require their own individual cages with nesting areas which means an additional ten cages.
Rabbit’s urine is high in ammonia which will jeopardize their health if not cleaned away often enough; commonly resulting in snuffles, an illness that has a high fatality rate. In nature, and outdoor enclosures with soil flooring, the urine is safely absorbed into the ground.
Rabbits produce two types of droppings one of which they need to digest again. It contains necessary nutrients and beneficial bacteria that are crucial for the rabbit’s health. In the cage system these droppings drop through the meshing and the rabbit is unable to access them.
The cage system requires more time and labour to clean. First it is necessary to remove the urine soaked droppings that lie underneath the cages. Then the floors and cages must be disinfected on a regular basis. An outdoor system is self-cleaning as nature does the work for us. The urine, as already mentioned, soaks away and the droppings dry out in the sun and soil making them inert. Once or twice a month the droppings can be raked up and are ready to be used as organic fertilizer.
Another time and labour intensive responsibility is feeding the rabbits and maintaining a constant water supply. In addition the feeding bowls and watering systems must be disinfected daily. As you can imagine this job is also much quicker with one or two enclosures than 35 cages.
Rabbits have minimal sweat glands and struggle to keep themselves cool in the hot weather. In the cage system they have no way to regulate their temperature; the farmer has to provide cooling systems such as insulation or air-conditioning units. When temperatures reach 30 degrees the male rabbits’ sperm is reduced and becomes deformed; the nursing does become dehydrated and are unable to raise their kits. In outdoor enclosures the rabbits are able to build burrows that are cool and allow them to escape from the heat. Alternatively the farmer can provide them with a couple of shelters to escape from the elements.
Rabbits in cages are extremely stressed, bored and aggressive to each other resulting in low immunity to illness, higher food consumption and injuries caused by fighting. Free-range rabbits feel safe together, keep each other entertained resulting in healthy immunity systems, less feed (nervous rabbits use more energy,) and fewer injuries.