History of raising rabbits Part 1.

(116-27 BCE) Varro, the Governor of Spain wrote in his treatise on farming (De Re Rustica) the following description for rabbits "Everyone knows, too that if you put but a few rabbits of both sexes the warren will swarm with them in a short period of time."

it is believed that the rabbit actually originated in Spain, or at least in the Iberian Peninsula. It was the Romans who discovered rabbits kept in cages could successfully be bred, which gave them a portable meat (and fur) for their armies. Which ensured the rabbits distribution all over the Roman Empire. Seeing as the cage to house a rabbit is relatively small it made it ideal for transportation on ships as well to feed crews and again armies because the journey on ships were lengthy and a rabbits gestation period short, the meat supplies could be replenished during the voyages.

(Romans are equally responsible for the spread of the Pheasant, Quail, and edible door mouse).

The two theories of the domestication of the rabbit:

1.) Caged rabbits (and tamer) rabbits lived longer thus having more litters, so it is in fact caged animals that are continually breeding, thus furthering the domestication of the species. Therefore caging enhances the development of the domesticated rabbit.

2.) But if the caged animals are killed for food and fur, then it is these tamer animals that will continually be eliminated, leaving the wild rabbits to proliferate. Thus caging does not enhance domestication.

Which ever theory you choose to believe (or even if you theorize your own) It should be considered that rabbits have been managed by man, and thrived, in a variety of situations for at least the last two millennia.