Keeping Outdoor Rabbits Warm In Winter?

Question

My two rabbits live outside in a wooden hutch, and winter is here.
What are some ways I can keep them warm?

Edit:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/hanyoumiko987/montana061.jpg
This is their cage.
To the left is where the straw and hay is for them to stay warm, but that's all I have.
And I put a tarp on the top to keep the snow out or if it rains, to keep the rain out.
I put rocks on it so it doesn't blow off.

Answer 1

That wire bottom is NOT good for their feet.

Rabbit feet are delicate and wire bottom cages can be painful. Consider using a solid bottom cage with a litter box in one corner. They should at least have some sort of mat or wooden plank to rest on.

As for keeping them warm, bring them inside!

If that's not a possibility, covering the whole hutch with an old blanket/carpet and then a tarpaulin will help keep the heat in and the weather out. During the day leave the front open for ventilation and at night cover the majority of the hutch leaving a smaller area for ventilation.

You should also provide a box full of hay with an entrance hole. They can crawl in there and snuggle at night.

Also make sure that the cage entrance faces away from the wind. If it's not possible to turn the rabbit hutch around then put something just in front to block direct wind and rain.

You should check that their water has frozen over anytime temps drop anywhere close to freezing. Even if the main bottle is unfrozen, it's important to check the spout as this can freeze solid and block. Insulating the bottle can help.

Answer 2

I've had rabbits my whole life....that little dog house portion of the hutch is enclosed with a dog house style opening on the inside, Rite?.. Pack it full of hay so that they can burrow into it . It will insulate them and keep them warm. Rabbits can take the cold but cant take a draft .Make sure that you place the hutch in a protected area and put some plexi glass on the open sides to keep weather out. and replace the water bottles at least twice a day , morning and night for the winter. and no direct sun in the summer(shade). when the weather gets around 90 and above give them a 2 liter soda bottle filled with water and frozen to lay on or next to to cool them down.... good luck with your pets.

Answer 3

If you can hook up a devise where a couple of heat lamps can be on all the time, and then take a sleeping bag and sew down the corners to the cage leave enough space for some air to enter and this will keep them warm and comfortable all winter.

Hope this helps you. I use to bring my daughters into the garage during the winter months.When we lived in Oklahoma.

Answer 4

Seal up any areas where a draft can get in.

I found that useing those one time only heating pads worked really well but the problem is they would need to be sealed inside of something (I used socks) since they have chemicals in them.

I've had rabbits freeze to death though... I think it might be best to bring them in, or at least in the garage if you have one.

Answer 5

Cover the hutch with padded blankets or other insulating materials. I am not sure because in the wild the would find a burrough and go down there and their body heat would surround them.

Answer 6

As long as they have a dry enclosed nest box with plenty of hay or straw inside for insulation, they'll be fine.

Answer 7

hay or straw shod keep there feet warm and snow and ther fer is a natural insulator unless it drops to -25 C and make shor theres no draft they may get cold or flu

Answer 8

give them plenty of timothy hay(you'd be suprised how warm a hay nest can be) also put something in there like a small cat carrier so they can go in there to get away from the wind.

Answer 9

let them stay in the house until it startes to get warm or give them some covers

Answer 10

375 degrees in the oven for about 2 in a half hours, maybe toss in some carrots for them.