Effects of perforated cage dividers on rabbit behavior. (2026)

Martin, J., Newell, M., Deemer, S.

Abstract

Based on study observations and the natural history of wild rabbits, bucks engage in affiliative social behaviors, but current caging may not allow enough space for the expression of species-typical behaviors, thereby resulting in continued aggression. In this study, we aimed to see if providing male rabbits with protected social housing using perforated clear dividers between neighboring cages to allow for visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile contact would encourage positive species-typical behaviors. Over a 7-wk period, we measured latency to approach technicians and response to petting as an indication of willingness to socialize with personnel, position in the cage as an indication of preference for adjacency to neighboring animals, and cage postures and behaviors that might indicate stress or anxiety. This study demonstrated that rabbits expressed more behaviors indicative of well-being when housed adjacent to other animals in cages with perforated dividers suggesting that protected social contact is a valuable refinement when rabbits are not socially housed with full contact. Rabbits with the perforated dividers approached handlers more quickly when the cage door was open; were more friendly and less skittish, anxious, or aggressive during petting; were more likely to be located in the cage adjacent to the socialization panel; and were more likely to be active or resting and less likely to be fractious, hiding, immobile/frozen, or perform maintenance behaviors when compared to those with solid dividers.