Housing, gender, and animal welfare in rural rabbit production systems in madagascar

Rabbit farming is increasingly recognized as a sustainable livelihood strategy in low-resource rural systems; however, in Madagascar, production remains largely informal and poorly documented. In particular, the interactions among housing systems, gender dynamics, animal welfare, and productivity outcomes are not well understood. This study aimed to provide an integrated assessment of rural rabbit production systems in the Amoron’i Mania region, focusing on housing, breed characteristics, performance, behaviour, and socioeconomic factors. A multistage survey was conducted across 272 rural farms between 2023 and 2024 using questionnaires, interviews, and on-farm observations. A total of 3,018 rabbits were recorded, including 1,060 individuals for breed characterization and 445 for behavioural assessment. Housing systems were classified into Mixed Animal Pens (MAP), Group Pens (GP), Single Cages (SC), and Colony Cages (CC). Data on mortality, growth performance, and behaviour were analysed using χ² tests and ANOVA, with particular attention to housing system, breed, and their interactions, as well as gender-related management patterns. Housing systems were dominated by MAP (50.74%), followed by GP (25.37%), SC (13.60%), and CC (10.29%). Gender and age significantly influenced housing choices (P < 0.05), with women and older farmers favouring low-input MAP systems, while younger male farmers more frequently adopted SC systems. Mortality varied by housing system and physiological phase (P < 0.001), with higher pre-weaning mortality in MAP and GP systems and higher growing-phase mortality in SC and CC systems. Growth performance showed significant breed × housing interactions (P < 0.05), with commercial breeds performing better in controlled systems, while the Local Breed showed greater adaptation to MAP conditions. Behavioural analysis indicated that MAP systems promoted higher motor and social activity with minimal stereotypies, whereas SC systems were associated with increased static behaviour and stereotypic patterns. The findings highlight the complex trade-offs between productivity, animal welfare, and resource constraints in smallholder rabbit systems. Housing systems play a central role in shaping both biological outcomes and welfare conditions, while gender-related access to resources influences management decisions. Improving housing design, promoting locally adapted breeds, and strengthening technical support, particularly for women farmers, could enhance both productivity and welfare. These results provide a systems-level understanding to inform sustainable and context-appropriate development of rabbit farming in rural Madagascar.