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A hint for cooling outdoor buns (and indoor)

parsnipbun

Wise Old Thumper
For outdoor buns in wooden housing (especially if has dark coloured roof)

Buy cheapest possible LARGE white Cotton bath towels (better than sheets) lay them over roofs and ensure also some hanging part or whole way over front of housing . . (Tescos economy are fine - but the idea is to have some thickness so not ones that are literally as thin as cloth)

then pour water over or hose down the towels (if no hose or bucket or watering can, then put all towels in sink with water to soak before you put them on roof - but this is messy!!

This temporarily 'changes' heat absorbing black or brown roofs to reflective white, plastic roofs or felted roofs to towelling which does not absorb heat as much, and makes roofs damp for as long as possible so draws out heat. The towels at the front hanging down also causes a drip effect waterfall down front - which is even more cooling.


Indoor buns can also benefit by literally just putting wet towels on tiled or vinyl flooring.

Bun will get damp obviously so do watch for flies but as long as does not wee on towel should be fine.

Enthusiasts for cool breezes or those with a real problem, such as housing in a south facing room, can also arrange to hang wet towels over open windows.


We have 35 buns and a hare at present (and the bantams) and are doing this on all the hutch style housing (our very large chalets dont seem to need it as they all have dark areas under the raised indoor house parts, plus all roofed in double insulated wood so heat does not get through)
 
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MODS. I reckon we need this as a Sticky. It's cost effective and easy to achieve (i.e. you don't need to go buying specialist equipment)

Nice idea too!

:wave:
 
I'm using a single duvet cover over mine and as it is dripping over the sides of the run Casserole is drinking it:roll:
 
MODS. I reckon we need this as a Sticky. It's cost effective and easy to achieve (i.e. you don't need to go buying specialist equipment)

Nice idea too!

:wave:

Thanks!

you can also re-use the towels later in the year for wrapping hot bricks or snugglesafes in to warm hutches and keep above freezing!! Or line a poo tray for a bun thats allergic to hay (just dont ask . . . :roll:)

(or if you are short of money like us you can wash the towels on high temperature with some bleach and add them to the 'human towel' stock pile :oops::oops:)
 
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This is how we have set up our bunnies cool area :) I wet the towel in the morning and hang it over the table (£5 ikea table) there is also a tile under there that stays cool, a water bowl and a frozen bottle in the corner. The bunnies lie under there all day and it makes a massive difference! The bottles don't defrost fully all day whereas before I was having to change them every few hours :thumb: and they love it!

ETA sorry about the mess :oops: Elmo had a bit of a hay rampage
 
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