In a facility housing rabbits, what constitutes their primary enclosure?

The primary enclosure for rabbits in a facility is considered to be the individual pens. Individual pens provide a dedicated space where each rabbit can be housed securely and comfortably. This setting is crucial for meeting the animal welfare needs of the rabbits, as it offers them a defined territory that supports their natural behaviors.

Within these individual pens, rabbits have room to move, explore, and engage in normal activities such as resting and nesting. The design and size of the pens must adhere to regulations that ensure they provide adequate space and enrichment for the animals.

The overall building serves as the broader environment where multiple animals may be housed, but it does not specify the individual needs of each rabbit. Floor space, while important for movement, does not capture the individualized requirements for each animal. Nesting boxes are essential for providing comfort and breeding areas for rabbits but are only a part of the overall housing setup and do not fulfill the requirement for primary enclosure in the context of regulations governing animal welfare. Therefore, the individual pens are recognized as the primary enclosure, as they directly relate to the specific housing standards and needs of each rabbit.