This is my personal advice:
If you can't afford a snugglesafe/ are unable to bring your bunnies in etc during the freezing weather please don't be scared by alarmist tales but DO take steps to ensure they keep warm- especially if they are single buns.
1) insulate and waterproof and windproof the hutch(but allow air to circulate a little so they can breathe)
2) insulate inside the hutch
3) check on them as often as you can.
1) you can insulate the hutch by putting lots of layers of newspapers/ or a blanket /or old cushions/coats on the top covered by a cheap shower curtain which you can get from most supermarkets or a pound shop. Use stones/bricks to weight it down. (try to cover over some of the mesh part too)
If snow falls on top of this insulation, don't clear it off as the snow will itself act as insulation.
2) straw is warmer than hay but not as soft and sharp pieces can cause eye injury, so put layers of newpapers then top with straw, then a layer of hay -add a towel on top(warmed if possible) and then lots of hay.
3) check on them as often as you reasonably can, stroking them and giving extra pellets for energy.
Make sure their water bottle isn't frozen-cover it with an old thick sock.
make sure they haven't knocked any water bowls over as you don't want icy water in there- a dry hutch is most important.
Clean out any wet litter trays/areas
If its so cold its impossible to stop the water freezing then cut a few pieces of apple(minus the pips)/ and/or carrots- these will of course freeze too but the bun will be able to nibble little bits for hydration rather than be unable to drink at all because a water bottle nozzle is frozen solid.
This is how I have kept single outdoor buns in the past, and they have been fine in similar temperatures.
(If you heat a brick in the oven please make sure you cover it with cloth and that the rabbit is unable to pull the cloth off and burn itself.) I have never tried this.
another member suggests putting a small cardboard box filled with hay in the hutch which I think is a good idea.
Please try not to worry do the best you can.
I hope these tips may help?
sue :wave:
Anyone else have tips on keeping buns warm?
(and pre-empting those who may say if you can't afford a 16 quid snugglesafe you shouldn't have taken on your buns ?- may I say that
(a) snugglesafes are new and
(b)most come on here to learn about rabbits plus there are many youngsters dependant on parents finances and others whose finances may have dramatically changed in unforseen circumstances.)
If you can't afford a snugglesafe/ are unable to bring your bunnies in etc during the freezing weather please don't be scared by alarmist tales but DO take steps to ensure they keep warm- especially if they are single buns.
1) insulate and waterproof and windproof the hutch(but allow air to circulate a little so they can breathe)
2) insulate inside the hutch
3) check on them as often as you can.
1) you can insulate the hutch by putting lots of layers of newspapers/ or a blanket /or old cushions/coats on the top covered by a cheap shower curtain which you can get from most supermarkets or a pound shop. Use stones/bricks to weight it down. (try to cover over some of the mesh part too)
If snow falls on top of this insulation, don't clear it off as the snow will itself act as insulation.
2) straw is warmer than hay but not as soft and sharp pieces can cause eye injury, so put layers of newpapers then top with straw, then a layer of hay -add a towel on top(warmed if possible) and then lots of hay.
3) check on them as often as you reasonably can, stroking them and giving extra pellets for energy.
Make sure their water bottle isn't frozen-cover it with an old thick sock.
make sure they haven't knocked any water bowls over as you don't want icy water in there- a dry hutch is most important.
Clean out any wet litter trays/areas
If its so cold its impossible to stop the water freezing then cut a few pieces of apple(minus the pips)/ and/or carrots- these will of course freeze too but the bun will be able to nibble little bits for hydration rather than be unable to drink at all because a water bottle nozzle is frozen solid.
This is how I have kept single outdoor buns in the past, and they have been fine in similar temperatures.
(If you heat a brick in the oven please make sure you cover it with cloth and that the rabbit is unable to pull the cloth off and burn itself.) I have never tried this.
another member suggests putting a small cardboard box filled with hay in the hutch which I think is a good idea.
Please try not to worry do the best you can.
I hope these tips may help?
sue :wave:
Anyone else have tips on keeping buns warm?
(and pre-empting those who may say if you can't afford a 16 quid snugglesafe you shouldn't have taken on your buns ?- may I say that
(a) snugglesafes are new and
(b)most come on here to learn about rabbits plus there are many youngsters dependant on parents finances and others whose finances may have dramatically changed in unforseen circumstances.)