care for your rabbit in the winter
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jordiwes
Well-Known Member
I moved this to the regular forum.
tamsin
Well-Known Member
Where are you? Winter can mean quite different things in different locations 
turbotina
Well-Known Member
We're in New England (MA). Please tell us aboutradiators, etc. Right now their cage is up against it but I know itwill need to be moved. Also what temp will I need to leave the heat on?While at work/school we usually lower the temp. Snow? anything we needto know?
Bunnys_rule63
Well-Known Member
Does your rabbit live inside or outside? Outsiderabbits require a lot of extra care in the winter but it sounds likeyours are inside?:?
turbotina
Well-Known Member
Tina & Turbo are indoor bunnies
JimD
Well-Known Member
Ideal temps for bunnies are between 60 and 70 F.Above 85 F and you'll want to cool the bun....below 55 F and you'llneed to warm them. Bunnies can handle the cool better than the heat.
I shut the heat in the bunnie room and it stays very comfortable when we set the house temp at 68-70.
I shut the heat in the bunnie room and it stays very comfortable when we set the house temp at 68-70.
FlopsnWills
Well-Known Member
rabbits are very high maintenance animals andwhen you have an outdoor rabbit, it takes a lot more dedication than ifthey can live inside with your family.
if you feel like you can keep them extra warm and provide lots and lotsof hay for beddingand are ready to change their water up to3-4 times a day, so it doesn't freeze.. then more power to you
if you feel like you can keep them extra warm and provide lots and lotsof hay for beddingand are ready to change their water up to3-4 times a day, so it doesn't freeze.. then more power to you
naturestee
Well-Known Member
FlopsnWills wrote:
:yeahthat
I do know someone who has outdoor rabbits in Wisconsin(Rabbitgirl). She has huge handmade hutches with roomysleeping areas that are fully enclosed. Those are stuffedwith hay in winter to make them warm.
If possible, it's good to have the hutch in a shed or just give therabbit a shed. It will protect them more from the weatherand from predators, which are a major concern even if you live in acity. In the country there are more coyotes and feral dogs toworry about.
The water does need to be changed several times a day to keep it fromfreezing and it's best to use bowls because the spouts in water bottleswill freeze in no time flat.
Contrary to popular belief, rabbits can get frost bite! AndI've heard of one in Wisconsin that was dumped at a shelter withfrostbitten ears. So please be sure that you're ready for thecommitment if you're going to keep your rabbit outdoors.
Outdoor rabbits are also a lot of work in summer because they aresensitive to temperatures over 80 degrees. 90 degree weathercan cause heat stroke, which can be fatal.
rabbits are very high maintenance animals and when you havean outdoor rabbit, it takes a lot more dedication than if they can liveinside with your family.
if you feel like you can keep them extra warm and provide lots and lotsof hay for beddingand are ready to change their water up to3-4 times a day, so it doesn't freeze.. then more power to you
:yeahthat
I do know someone who has outdoor rabbits in Wisconsin(Rabbitgirl). She has huge handmade hutches with roomysleeping areas that are fully enclosed. Those are stuffedwith hay in winter to make them warm.
If possible, it's good to have the hutch in a shed or just give therabbit a shed.
It will protect them more from the weatherand from predators, which are a major concern even if you live in acity. In the country there are more coyotes and feral dogs toworry about.The water does need to be changed several times a day to keep it fromfreezing and it's best to use bowls because the spouts in water bottleswill freeze in no time flat.
Contrary to popular belief, rabbits can get frost bite! AndI've heard of one in Wisconsin that was dumped at a shelter withfrostbitten ears. So please be sure that you're ready for thecommitment if you're going to keep your rabbit outdoors.
Outdoor rabbits are also a lot of work in summer because they aresensitive to temperatures over 80 degrees. 90 degree weathercan cause heat stroke, which can be fatal.
Bassetluv
Well-Known Member
And another :yeahthat...
For the most part, if you are going to be keeping a rabbit outdoors,you will need to have a hutch that is sturdy, not exposed to theelements (strong winds, rain, snow, sleet, sun), large enough for therabbit to be able to run around, and one that provides a solid sleepingsection that will also give the bunny a place to go if a predatorhappens to enter your yard. (Some bunnies die of fright easily, and thehaving a predator attempting to get in the cage can be enough totrigger death, especially if the rabbit feels trapped and exposed, withno place to hide.) The wire on the hutch must be of a sturdy gauge (nochicken wire...predators can easily tear through it, and rabbits areknown to chew through it as well). Living in an area where it gets coldin the winter, adequate warmth must be maintained for the bunnies. AsNaturestee suggested, keeping the hutch in a shed (with adequatelighting) is a great idea. Insulating the hutch is a good idea, as isproviding plenty of straw for the bunny to burrow into, so he/she canmaintain body heat. Freezing of water in winter is also an issue; youcan either be dedicated to constantly changing frozen water dishes, orif you are fortunate enough, have a heated water system. In the summer,heat can be deadly...so care must be taken to maintain cool temps(taking humidity into account as well). Good locks are alsorecommended, as not all predators are four-footed :X...and raccoons arewell-known at opening latches too.
Outdoor rabbits can have happy, healthy lives, just as indoor bunniescan, but it does take a lot more work and commitment on theowner's part. The bunnies have to be given at least as much attentionas an indoor pet, preferably even more, as illness and injuries can gounnoticed very easily if the rabbit isn't handled every day. And I dobelieve that a rabbit kept outdoors does much better if he/she has acompanion, as they are very social creatures. I have two rabbits whoare housed side by side outdoors, but in the winter and in on thehotter summer days they are brought inside. They also get the run ofthe yard when I'm home, for as long as I'm outside with them. So thisinvolves me giving them attention for several hours after I get homefrom work, and for most of the weekends as well. My life revolvesaround bunnies and dog these days!
For the most part, if you are going to be keeping a rabbit outdoors,you will need to have a hutch that is sturdy, not exposed to theelements (strong winds, rain, snow, sleet, sun), large enough for therabbit to be able to run around, and one that provides a solid sleepingsection that will also give the bunny a place to go if a predatorhappens to enter your yard. (Some bunnies die of fright easily, and thehaving a predator attempting to get in the cage can be enough totrigger death, especially if the rabbit feels trapped and exposed, withno place to hide.) The wire on the hutch must be of a sturdy gauge (nochicken wire...predators can easily tear through it, and rabbits areknown to chew through it as well). Living in an area where it gets coldin the winter, adequate warmth must be maintained for the bunnies. AsNaturestee suggested, keeping the hutch in a shed (with adequatelighting) is a great idea. Insulating the hutch is a good idea, as isproviding plenty of straw for the bunny to burrow into, so he/she canmaintain body heat. Freezing of water in winter is also an issue; youcan either be dedicated to constantly changing frozen water dishes, orif you are fortunate enough, have a heated water system. In the summer,heat can be deadly...so care must be taken to maintain cool temps(taking humidity into account as well). Good locks are alsorecommended, as not all predators are four-footed :X...and raccoons arewell-known at opening latches too.
Outdoor rabbits can have happy, healthy lives, just as indoor bunniescan, but it does take a lot more work and commitment on theowner's part. The bunnies have to be given at least as much attentionas an indoor pet, preferably even more, as illness and injuries can gounnoticed very easily if the rabbit isn't handled every day. And I dobelieve that a rabbit kept outdoors does much better if he/she has acompanion, as they are very social creatures. I have two rabbits whoare housed side by side outdoors, but in the winter and in on thehotter summer days they are brought inside. They also get the run ofthe yard when I'm home, for as long as I'm outside with them. So thisinvolves me giving them attention for several hours after I get homefrom work, and for most of the weekends as well. My life revolvesaround bunnies and dog these days!
Bunnys_rule63
Well-Known Member
RABBIT#1 wrote:
My rabbits live outside all year roundand don'thave any problems with it, however they do require extra care in thewinter. It's important that they live in large, secure and fullyweather-proofed hutch (minimum for 2 small rabbits 5ft x 2ft x 2ft) ora shed (which would probably be better because even if it is badweather you can sit in the shed with your bun and spend time withthem!).
The hutch should be raised off the ground and built out of strong wood(I'd recommend tongue and groove) and painted with a safe woodtreatment or paint. It needs a large bed area that is covered on allsides with a door for your bun to hop in and out of, then make surethat it is filled with plenty of straw and hay for your bun to snuggleup too!
Also if your winters get very cold it might be worth adding extrainsulation to the hutch by covering it over with some oldblankets/carpet/radiator insulation and a piece of tarpaulin. Also oncold nights cover over the front with a piece of tarp. to keep outdrafts and any bad weather, just make sure you leave a gap on eitherside to let the air still circulate around in the hutch.
Also it's hard to let outdoor rabbits get the proper amount ofexcercise with the shorter days and bad weather so I'd recommendbuilding a secure runwith a top (and bottom if s/he's adigger) witha sheltered area to go under, rabbits willhappily sit out in bad weather so make sures/he always haveplenty of shelter and bringhim/her in if the weather gets toobad.
My rabbits live outside all year roundand don'thave any problems with it, however they do require extra care in thewinter. It's important that they live in large, secure and fullyweather-proofed hutch (minimum for 2 small rabbits 5ft x 2ft x 2ft) ora shed (which would probably be better because even if it is badweather you can sit in the shed with your bun and spend time withthem!
). The hutch should be raised off the ground and built out of strong wood(I'd recommend tongue and groove) and painted with a safe woodtreatment or paint. It needs a large bed area that is covered on allsides with a door for your bun to hop in and out of, then make surethat it is filled with plenty of straw and hay for your bun to snuggleup too!
Also if your winters get very cold it might be worth adding extrainsulation to the hutch by covering it over with some oldblankets/carpet/radiator insulation and a piece of tarpaulin. Also oncold nights cover over the front with a piece of tarp. to keep outdrafts and any bad weather, just make sure you leave a gap on eitherside to let the air still circulate around in the hutch.
Also it's hard to let outdoor rabbits get the proper amount ofexcercise with the shorter days and bad weather so I'd recommendbuilding a secure runwith a top (and bottom if s/he's adigger) witha sheltered area to go under, rabbits willhappily sit out in bad weather so make sures/he always haveplenty of shelter and bringhim/her in if the weather gets toobad.
JimD
Well-Known Member
Bunnys_rule63 wrote:
I remember Buck describing the "storm windows" he made for one of hishutches. It was the one he was going to give me if I had adoptedMitzie....."It'll help keep her warm during the winter."
One of a kind, that wonderful man.
I remember Buck describing the "storm windows" he made for one of hishutches. It was the one he was going to give me if I had adoptedMitzie....."It'll help keep her warm during the winter."
One of a kind, that wonderful man.
gentle giants
Well-Known Member
I keep my rabbits in a pole barn. In the summerI keep the big doors at either end open 24-7 so they can get thebreeze. In the winter, of course the doors are closed, plus I fill allthe cages with straw, and drape blankets over them at night. Anytimethe temps are below freezing, I am out there changing the bowls threetimes a day. I keep twice the number of bowls I need, in the am I takethe frozen set inside and fill the other set for them, and then takeand thaw the frozen ones for later.
If you are only going to haveone or two rabbits, though, it would probably be worth your money toget heated bowls. The only thing you will have to worry about iskeeping the cord out of reach so the rabbit doesn't chew it. I wish Icould do that, but 25 heated bowls would be a little beyond my means,LOL.
If you are only going to haveone or two rabbits, though, it would probably be worth your money toget heated bowls. The only thing you will have to worry about iskeeping the cord out of reach so the rabbit doesn't chew it. I wish Icould do that, but 25 heated bowls would be a little beyond my means,LOL.
