Dutchbrothers
Well-Known Member
I read that bunnies cannot handle temperatures higher than 85 degrees. Is this also true if they can freely go into a shaded area?
Warm weather routine
- Thread starter Dutchbrothers
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Keep in mind that they live in burrows underground in the natural setting, so they would be at around 72 degrees F year round. 85 can bring about a fatal episode. So, countermeasures would be needed. Around here they are house only bunnies this time of year.
Dutchbrothers
Well-Known Member
Nancy McClelland wrote:
So if I dug a deep hole and put a large drain pipe in it and cover the top, would that be a good idea?
lagomorph
Well-Known Member
Interesting question, I don't know if they will use a drain pipe lined hole. Since you seem ambitious enough to dig, though, I will explain what we did:
We built an enclosure out of heavy duty plastic coated wire. The walls of it go 2 feet underground, so the rabbits cannot dig their way out if it, and predators cannot dig their way in. It measures about 8 x 10 feet and the floor is bare ground, so they can dig their own burrow.
We assume it must get grungy under there, so every spring and fall we turn the soil, destroying their old warren, and allowing them to excavate a fresh one. Spring and fall seem to be when they get the diggies, anyway, so digging a new one at those times allows them an outlet for that instinct. It keeps them busy doing something they love to do, and also creates a nice cool place for a nap during hot weather. And that is when they use it most -- at mid-day, on those sweltering summer days.
We built an enclosure out of heavy duty plastic coated wire. The walls of it go 2 feet underground, so the rabbits cannot dig their way out if it, and predators cannot dig their way in. It measures about 8 x 10 feet and the floor is bare ground, so they can dig their own burrow.
We assume it must get grungy under there, so every spring and fall we turn the soil, destroying their old warren, and allowing them to excavate a fresh one. Spring and fall seem to be when they get the diggies, anyway, so digging a new one at those times allows them an outlet for that instinct. It keeps them busy doing something they love to do, and also creates a nice cool place for a nap during hot weather. And that is when they use it most -- at mid-day, on those sweltering summer days.
