What characteristic of rabbits causes hesitation for individuals prioritizing ethical or local meat sourcing?

They are often viewed as clever and personable, causing hesitation regarding their slaughter.

An additional, subtle layer influencing consumption decisions involves the perceived morality and effort associated with procuring rabbit meat ethically. Due to their observed intelligence and personable nature, some individuals who seek locally or ethically sourced food experience hesitation when considering the slaughter of rabbits. This anthropomorphic view conflicts with the necessary process of turning the animal into food. Furthermore, while often perceived as easy to raise, small-scale rabbit farming requires specific knowledge concerning housing and health management for optimal meat production, potentially demanding more concentrated effort than an aspiring small-scale farmer might commit compared to raising backyard chickens.