Prepping for Winter

[Cinnabun14]

It's getting colder here, and I want to make sure Cinnamon and Chika are okay during the cold months. They did well as babies back in March, and they were born and raised outside, but I just want to be sure.

Their hutch is raised off the ground, and we cover it with two thick moving blankets and a tarp. Inside, they've got four blankets, a towel, a pet bed, and a ton of hay (I've been adding more since it's getting colder). Is this enough or should I add more? We don't have an outdoor outlet nearby for a heating pad...

I've been feeding them 1/4 c each of pellets, do they need more to stock up? Also, we usually let them out in the mornings to run around, will this be okay in the snow? And I've heard of some people not touching/petting/brushing their rabbits during winter as to not mess up their insulation. Is this something I need to worry about?

bonus picture of the girls being obsessed with my boots. They lick licking or chewing my boots for some reason (they're rabbit-only boots)

 

[Shimmer]

I groom all mine all year round. A thicker winter coat may be more prone to matting up, which will cause various issues, including being less insulating and will affect movement. A fluffed out coat will keep more heat in (although that may not apply as much to Rexes ). They may also ingest additional loose fur if you stop grooming, which can result in gut issues. Regular grooming / handling also gives you the opportunity to keep an eye on their general health and pick things up early.

They need room to move about so they can generate heat and stay healthy. Snow shouldn't be an issue, but they should always have the option of a dry, draught-free space, and they shouldn't be allowed to get soaked through.

Straw is more insulating than hay, so could be used as additional Winter bedding. I stick to hay and just use a lot more in Winter, with the nest areas being completely loose filled with hay during the coldest weather - don't pack it so they can't actually get in. The bedding area should be regularly checked to make sure that it is clean and dry. Wet and draughts are not good - but they don't want to be so well wrapped up that there is no air flow as that will promote condensation and mould.

Heat sources - 2 rabbits are always better than one. I use multiple Snugglesafe microwaveable heat pads if the temperature drops below -2'C on a regular basis at night:

Amazon.co.uk

I increase the amount of pellets slightly over winter as there's less forage available and outdoor rabbits may need more calories to maintain bodyntemperature. Dry forage can be used, and always plenty of hay. If you use straw as bedding, they may eat it but it doesn't have the same nutritional value as hay.

Make sure that their drinking water is always available. Bottle nozzles freeze up quite quickly, whatever you do. Bowls are always better, but must be checked and changed regularly to stop them freezing up.

I also have a max/min thermometer on each hutch door under the covers and reset it daily, so I know how cold it is getting in the area the rabbits spend the night. I use these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brannan-12...d=1760120608&sprefix=max+min+,aps,136&sr=8-17

 

[Cinnabun14]

Thank you so much!! I was really worried about the grooming thing! Part of their run's covered too, so they've got some potentially snow-free running space. Do you think it'll be okay to let them run out in the snow?

I took a look at that Snugglesafe, and while it looked really good, there were some pretty horrible reviews about it exploding and people getting burned or houses/microwaves catching on fire. I'm a bit nervous, since our neighbor's house lit fire just recently, and I'm wondering is that's something I should worry about? They do share the same hutch, so I'll know they'll sleep together (I see them snuggle every evening, it's so precious), but I'd really like more if I can get it.

I'll increase their pellets slowly. I think Chika's already starting to get a little winter thick!

 

[Shimmer]

I've had at least 6 Snugglesafe heatpads for many years - one daughter kept 'borrowing' them for herself. I think I've only had one that I had to stop using. It went thinner in some areas and started rattling. They are pretty solid, thick discs. Just follow the instructions - 'cooking' time depends on the wattage of your microwave and only do one at a time. They just get to a nice body temperature for many hours, although they are a bit hot to handle straight from the microwave. Putting 2 or 3 together under a pile of hay in the nest area gives gentle heat for longer than one on its own, which is useful in colder weather or for eg guinea pigs.

I wrap them in a couple of sheets of newspaper instead of the fleece cover - it makes them easier to handle and keep clean as the hay sticks in the usual covers, but it depends on how / where you want to use them. Some rabbits may chew the fleece (and some eat newspaper). I've never had one get chewed, although I do tend to bury them in hay. They are safe in hutches as there are no wires, etc. and they don't get too hot, so can't cause burns or fires. They are basically gel filled hot water bottles.

 

[Cinnabun14]

Okay, that's a relief! I was very worried, but I suppose all I have to do is keep an eye on them to make sure they don't wear down and follow the heating instructions. Thank you so much, Shimmer, you've been a huge help x

 

[Omi]

Shimmer has covered everything I think, but I thought you would be interested in another example of outside bunnies in winter.

Our two have a shed with (usually) three large cardboard hay boxes stacked together, integrated to make a sort-of cardboard building. The boxes have a lot of hay inside and the bunnies tend to use them for sleeping/resting both winter and summer. I don't use straw because I prefer them to eat hay, but accept it has better insulating qualities. They then have a run, accessed via cat-flap with different areas, some of which is covered. I generally don't use Snugglesafe heatpads as the bunnies seem to ignore them, but would have no problems using them and have done so for poorly bunnies. I don't stop grooming them.

The bunnies usually have open access to outside of the shed regardless of the weather and I've had no need for any concerns that they are allowing themselves to get too wet or too cold. They move around a lot.

We live in the South of England, but at the bottom of a valley and so are in a frost hollow. The temperature goes down lower here than at the top of the hill. We regularly will get -5C and it can get lower. We usually have at least one period with snow per winter. Our snow is 'wet snow' though and so is more likely to cause wet surfaces. Do you know what temperatures you are likely to get and how prolonged are your snowy periods?

Regarding extra food, I would be careful with this and would want to weigh them regularly. I agree without as much forage in the winter, you certainly need to monitor that they are getting enough calories. But you probably might need to balance that with them possibly getting less exercise if the weather is bad. We have sufficient kale here in the winter for them and also some of our wild plants now seem to last, albeit in a weaker state, throughout most of the winter.

We previously had a family of Rex rabbits (4) and they went out in the snow. I have attached some photos for you.

 

[Cinnabun14]

Ah, thank you! The pictures are very lovely. I'm glad they can go out in the snow. Our mornings out together are a special time for us, and I would hate it if they couldn't run with us in our bigger yard. I'm not sure how cold it gets here or for how long, since we just moved, so I'll have to do some research. My guess is it gets pretty cold for a long while, since we're up North, but I don't know specifics.

I'm getting more and more confidence in the Snugglesafe!

I'm not too concerned about greens, since we live near enough to a store where I can buy them some, instead of wild forage. I'll remember to keep an eye on their weight too

Thank you so much x