I live in cold and windy New Hampshire, my bunnie's companion died last spring and i want to make extra sure she can keep warm this winter. I have a solid floor, 4 solid walls with an entrance on the side , so she can stay on one side away from the wind. I stuff the entire room with hay. On windy nights i cover the whole hutch (leaving the bottom open) with a tarp. Is there any other way to keep her warm enough? (Bringing her inside is not an option, 2 people allergic.)
2006-09-27 18:23:44 · 9 answers · asked by Rebcca L 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
You have your work cut out for you and I'm happy that you are taking steps now to be assured that your rabbit makes it through the winter. It is too bad that you can't bring her inside for the winter (and always) as bunnies do better indooors. Just as an aside, I wonder if your family who is allergic is allergic to the hay and not the bunny? If so, you could store the hay elsewhere. I am allergic to all animals but bunnies don't seem to bother me at all.)
I did a little research and other answers have given you lots of help. Bunnies do better in the cold than in the heat, but still extra care needs to be taken during the winter. Here is something from the Ontario House Rabbit Society:
“Proper Housing
If you cannot bring your rabbit indoors, then provide him with a wooden or plastic box, stuffed with hay or straw to burrow in for warmth, inside of his cage. Make sure that the cage is sheltered or placed in a barn or shed. The hutch should be free of leaks, have a sturdy, solid roof, be sheltered from the wind and have a locked door (raccoons can be very clever!). To further guard against predators, enclose your rabbit's cage inside of a covered metal dog run, or even in a barn or shed. Remember to take advantage of daytime sun and place the hutch in an area that provides some sunlight for warmth.”
Source: http://www.ontariorabbits.org/hot_topics/winter_woes.html
There is also good information in the book, Rabbits for Dummies about setting up a safe home for outdoor bunnies.
2006-09-28 04:47:35 · answer #1 · answered by Martha G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on where you're planning to keep your rabbit. Though, I'm sure you'll struggle to find a reliable hutch that isn't made from wood. In some cases a wooden hutch is fine, after all, you can buy cleaning products specially made to combat against the smells of your rabbit leaves in it's hutch without causing harm, and regular cleanouts will help avoid smelly stains in the corner off the hutch. A good clean out, followed by some time to let the moisture dry out will mean a wooden cage is fine for your rabbit. :] Be aware, though, a bored rabbit will quite happily chew or dig through the bottom of their wooden cage and escape. Be sure to add plenty of toys for him/her. Boredom is one of the biggest causes of deaths to pet rabbits. Good luck with your bunny. :D
2016-03-18 02:11:37 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some outdoor rabbits avoid death by predator or the other risks mentioned. But what is the quality of life for an animal living outdoors all the time? And what sort of relationship can you build if your bunny is out there and you're indoors? A life spent confined to a hutch is boring, depressing, and stressful for a sensitive creature such as a rabbit. A life spent unconfined but outdoors is simply too dangerous for domestic animals. By domesticating them, we have deprived them of whatever natural ability they had for survival on their own. If your rabbit currently lives outdoors, we strongly urge you to bring her in at least during the night, when predators are most common. Even if she's confined to a smaller cage, or a bathroom or utility room, she's safe, and she's making a first step to being part of your family. There's no magic in turning an "outdoor rabbit" into a house rabbit. It can begin in a single evening.
they should not be left unattended in extreme cold.
2006-09-28 02:08:02 · answer #3 · answered by Nikki T 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You're doing just fine! Like the first poster said, rabbits do a great job of insulating themselves against the cold with their fur, especially if they're housed outside year-round! The only other thing to worry about is her water bottle--because fresh water is so critical to a bunny's health, it is vital that she have constant access to unfrozen water. One thing that you can do to help with this is to fill her bottles up with luke warm water. Not only will it keep the water from freezing longer, but it's also like getting a cup of nice, warm tea for the bunny, and will help warm her up too. Hope it helps!
2006-09-27 19:13:59 · answer #4 · answered by Kellye B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are doing fine. As a child we had 200 rabbits. They come pre-winterized (thick fir) so the main thing is to keep them out of the wind and keep the hay/straw clean and fresh. I think you are a great owner.
2006-09-27 18:26:53 · answer #5 · answered by Paul S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're doing pretty much the right thing so far you just need to make sure you also give it Straw aswell and plenty of food! Good Luck!
2006-09-28 04:30:11 · answer #6 · answered by xxBritneyxx 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think its fair to leave them out in the cold. The water freezes and no matter what anyone tells you domestic rabbit's fur isn't too great a help. Can't you at least put them in the garage out of the wind or a basement? http://www.rabbit.org
2006-09-28 01:09:07 · answer #7 · answered by sugarcarat 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you go to http://www.practical-pet-care.com/rabbit_forum.php?301 and scroll down to the bottom, there's a thread there with some great advice.
2006-09-27 18:35:06 · answer #8 · answered by triviatm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can use a heat lamp with a timer on but do not let it get to warm in there cause of the hay
2006-09-27 19:17:55 · answer #9 · answered by dee d 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try putting blankets on top of the cage where she sleeps at to keep her warm. or you can put hay down for her to keep her warm also.
2006-09-27 21:31:02 · answer #10 · answered by i_am_a_evil_twin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋