Lighting

[nobunnynoclue]

My rabbits are kept in our office. Their cage is in the closet. It takes up the entire space in there. Very big. The doors have been removed. And they have the run of the office day and night.

The office has a single window with a shade that is always closed. But it is a white, opaque shade so light shines thru. But still, IMO, not much light. There is one light from a ceiling fan.

I have been leaving this light on during the day and turning the light off at night. It is pitch dark in there at night. Sometimes if someone other than me is the last to leave the office in the morning, however, they leave this light off all day long. I don't like this method. I would rather there be an automatic light on/off mechanism and it bothers me that the light is simply an incandescent light. Could this possibly be healthy for the rabbits ?

What solutions would you recommend?

 

[JimD]

My buns are in what used to be the family room in the basement.

It's actually the nicest room in the house....paneling, drop ceiling, carpet, cable, wood burning stove.

They have 2 windows, but really don't get too much light from them.

So, all of the lights I use are full spectrum or "daylight" type.
The two ceiling fixtures have full spectrum tubes, and the table lamp have those twisty lamp and are also full spectrum.
They cost a bit more, but well worth the comfort level they provide me with.

The lights stay on all day, and then I have a couple of nightlights that get turned on at night.

 

[Samara]

JimD wrote:

My buns are in what used to be the family room in the basement.

It's actually the nicest room in the house....paneling, drop ceiling, carpet, cable, wood burning stove.

They have 2 windows, but really don't get too much light from them.

So, all of the lights I use are full spectrum or "daylight" type.
The two ceiling fixtures have full spectrum tubes, and the table lamp have those twisty lamp and are also full spectrum.
They cost a bit more, but well worth the comfort level they provide me with.

The lights stay on all day, and then I have a couple of nightlights that get turned on at night.

^ Same at my house. My nightlights are auto ones that come on when it's dark enough.

 

[JimD]

Samara wrote:

My nightlights are auto ones that come on when it's dark enough.

Mine, too!

 

[JimD]

Full spectrum light (natural or simulated)can help rabbits to produce vitamin D and process calcium.

Makes for healthier teeth and bones.....and less calcium expelled through their urinary system.
Too much calcium passed through the urinary tract can lead to "sludge".

 

[Samara]

When I had reptiles/amphibians I had to learn the balance of the UVA/UVB spectrum via lighting for the importance of vitamin balances. It translates over to the wee lagos thank god.

Even my fish have spectrum lighting because I dabble in live plants.

ILLUMINATE ALL THE THINGS! anic:

 

[bunnychild]

I try to get as much natural lighting as I can with out harming the rabbit(s) and some light at night

 

[Nancy McClelland]

We have a nightlight in the hall and they get natural light from the window in the "bunny room".

 

[LaylaLop]

I leave the window in their room open all the time. They don't get direct light on 3/4 of the cage but the room is very well lit most of the day. The room is south-eastern exposure so they get plenty of light. I don't give them a night light since the street light outside kind of filters in. On warm days I like opening the window for fresh air

 

[MILU]

Jim, where do I find this full spectrum light? Gonna get one for myself!! LOL
There are always good things to learn from rabbits and rabbit slaves!!

About the bun-buns in the closet, I guess if the lights aren't being switched on and off all the time, it should be fine - I'm sure you won't be doing that with your lights all the time, so I guess they'll be ok.

 

[JimD]

MILU wrote:

Jim, where do I find this full spectrum light? Gonna get one for myself!! LOL
There are always good things to learn from rabbits and rabbit slaves!!

About the bun-buns in the closet, I guess if the lights aren't being switched on and off all the time, it should be fine - I'm sure you won't be doing that with your lights all the time, so I guess they'll be ok.

I got mine at the local home improvement store (Home Depot or Lowes).

Most plant stores or pet stores carry them as well.

You can find them online, too (Amazon, Ebay, lottsa sites).

Just make sure they're true full spectrum.
Don't buy the one that look like regular lightbulbs because the filament can't provide true full spectrum.
They've got to be gas filled...look like flouescent bulbs....tubes or those twisty bulbs that fit standard light sockets.