Overwintering English Lops - Help Please :3

[SilverBirchRabbitry]

[align=center]Alright first off I will tell everyone about my setup at my dads

I have a small shed, not very big at all. It is fully enclosed. The floor is dirt, but has shavings and hay spread all over the floor for extra warmth Anyways, there are no big drafts, yes there are very small random ones between the walls which aren't a very big deal, but I'm going to figure something out for those

Anyways my baby Hollands live in a big hutch on a wooden shelf type thing and across from them my black female EL doe lives in her hutch on a wooden shelf. My other 2 younger English Lops run around in there. They have bedding, food, a water bottle, treats and that sort of thing (they have a big futon mattress with hay bales on it that they like to sleep on

Will it be too cold out there for them? Because of their ears and all

They have water bottles, not dishes! Please let me know [/align]

 

[Blaze_Amita]

The bottles could freeze, that was the first thing that came to my mind. I used to live in teh southern Adirondacks in NY and I used to use a smaller shed and a small propane heater to keep it just above freezing in there so I didn't have to switch off to water dishes, But then again I had around 26 rabbits, that's a LOT of water dishes. Rabbits enjoy the cold from everythign that I have found. THe first pair of V-Lops I had used to spend their winters in a non heated barn and went to and from water dishes each spring/fall. I know V-Lops have smaller ears than E-Lops so that part I'm not sure on, but I see no real hard-core reason to worry much. Jus tmake sure they don't get wet and freeze to something I would guess.

 

[Erins Rabbits]

I've heard of EL's ears getting frostbit in the winter, but don't hold me to that, I've never had them! I know someone who will put tube-socks over their ears on especially cold nights, though.

I also have water bottles and haven't had a problem with them. They freeze most night and I lug them in the house and thaw them out every morning. I personally put a tube sock over them most days/nights, I've found it keeps the water above freezing than if it were completely exposed.

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

I think the biggest worry would be their ears and the possibility of them freezing. Using water bottles is good (the ears can dip into them), but they can leak, so you need to watch for that. I would try to cover any wire that they ear would touch. Keeping the shed above freezing can keep the water bottles fro freezing and if they do leak, they rabbits are less likely to freeze to the cage. Even if it is a few degrees above freezing, it can make a huge difference. Good insulation is safer than a space heater, as you do have hay and straw around. Blocking drafts will prevent the heat from escaping.

 

[LionheadLady]

As an elop breeder I am telling you you're fine... If you had crocks I would say no... but they will be fine... I have mine in a barn, not heated... & they are fine... My daughter has awesome show quality elops & I would not tell you this if I did not do it myself...

No need for socks on the ears... IF it gets really cold out... I bed them down with a ton of hay in the cage.... We have not had any issues... My good friend does the same thing as me...

I have never put socks on the ears... I have heard that they try to bite them off & then you're left with an elop with a hole in the ear...

You can go to home depot & get a roll of plastic & put it up along the walls on the inside... it will keep the draft out & also protect the wood if you have any bucks that spray...

Keep an extra water bottle for each rabbit & take them out in the morning & swap it with the frozen ones...

You will not have any issues... Just try to keep it dry in there by putting up plastic, staple it with a staple gun to the walls...

So, relax, all will be fine =)

 

[SilverBirchRabbitry]

Thanks everyone!
Especially Lionheadleady :3 I plan on going out to buy some extra bottles Also my bunnies are on solid floors, not wire, so that isn't a problem
I will ask my dad to put some plastic up aswell

 

[LionheadLady]

Any time!! If you ever want to ask me question on elops pm me... I will gladly help you!!

You gotta love those elop!!

Funny thing is, I always thought they were long eared ugly freaks... then I actually pet one & they stole my heart! They are the sweetest breed!

Now I see them as very elegant!

My daughter shows all over the place with her English Lops. We even flew 6 out to Convention =)