LionheadLuver
Warren Veteran
Hello
I've seen a few threads recently about people putting their indoor rabbits outdoors and worrying about the oncoming winter. I'd just like to say that hutch rabbits and outdoor bunnies can cope fine outdoors all year round, even in -20C temperatures as long as you take some precautions:
- Plenty of bedding, eg hay or straw. Use around a foot thickness in the bedroom part of their hutch or in an enclosed space in their shed/playhouse.
- Snugglesafes are a must over winter, especially at night, but also during the day when it doesn't get above freezing outside. Get one per bunny as they tend to like to sit on them.
- Cover the front of the hutch with duvet covers, bedsheets and tarpulin and layering traps in heat. I covered the front of my hutch with 4 layers last winter and even in -20C, the water bottles and bowls inside the hutch never froze. I used a bedsheet, 2 duvet covers and plastic sheeting.
- Rabbit's winter coats are designed to withstand cold temperatures so as long as they are put outdoors before it gets too cold, they will build up a lovely, thick winter coat.
- Rabbits will seek warmth from other rabbits, so where possible, keep them in pairs or groups.
I hope this helps put a few owners' minds at rest.
I've seen a few threads recently about people putting their indoor rabbits outdoors and worrying about the oncoming winter. I'd just like to say that hutch rabbits and outdoor bunnies can cope fine outdoors all year round, even in -20C temperatures as long as you take some precautions:
- Plenty of bedding, eg hay or straw. Use around a foot thickness in the bedroom part of their hutch or in an enclosed space in their shed/playhouse.
- Snugglesafes are a must over winter, especially at night, but also during the day when it doesn't get above freezing outside. Get one per bunny as they tend to like to sit on them.
- Cover the front of the hutch with duvet covers, bedsheets and tarpulin and layering traps in heat. I covered the front of my hutch with 4 layers last winter and even in -20C, the water bottles and bowls inside the hutch never froze. I used a bedsheet, 2 duvet covers and plastic sheeting.
- Rabbit's winter coats are designed to withstand cold temperatures so as long as they are put outdoors before it gets too cold, they will build up a lovely, thick winter coat.
- Rabbits will seek warmth from other rabbits, so where possible, keep them in pairs or groups.
I hope this helps put a few owners' minds at rest.