I'm starting a TNR program in my city to end the population of feral bunnies. Concerned about them moving indoors back outdoors.

[gelliebean]

Bunnies will be in foster homes for 2-3 weeks so they can recover from surgery. Thought of the problem that once they acclimate to indoor temperatures, releasing them back into the city might face some problems. It's winter right now. Very might but we are facing temperatures up to -10C (will probably get worse) and indoors it is probably around 23C. The reason I can't wait until summer months is because they reproduce so much. Only doing it 6ish months out of the year is not viable because of how many babies they make.

Questions:
How long does it take for a rabbit to acclimate to the temperature?
How can we help the bunnies be released back outside when they are used to cold temperatures?

 

[CamelNewt528962]

My rabbit is indoors but I found many posts about outdoor bunnies passing more often then indoor.

 

[Apollo’s Slave]

Questions:
How long does it take for a rabbit to acclimate to the temperature?

I would give them about a week or two. The first few days I would keep heaters off and open the windows - offer lots of cold water for them to cool down too if they get hot. And then slowly transition it, I suppose. Close the windows, the next few days. If you need to, turn your heaters on fairly low. It was winter when I got Apollo and I was terrified that he’d die if I let the room get too hot (as he was an outdoor rabbit in the rescue) so this is what I did. Hopefully that helps.

 

[Preitler]

The problem is not that they get too hot, 23° is ok even with winter fur. But two weeks in that temperature - yes, I think it's quite likely that they will shed their winter coat.

Is there no way to house them outdoors a few days after surgery? Or turn the heat down?

 

[Watermelons]

Perhaps the best foster homes are ones that have outdoor sheds or garages.
This is still better to be done in spring/summer.