How do I keep my bunnies warm in the wintertime?

[mcb100]

Hi, all. I have two rabbits. Both are adults. One is a large minilop (he seems sturdy, it’s the tiny lionhead I’m worried about this season), and one is a small lionhead. They were originally house rabbits, and I have done a good job raising them so far. Sad to say, their human father and I split up and me and the rabbits are now relocating. The place we are now going to be living in states that I can keep the rabbits but I have to house them outside all year long. I live in Northeastern Pennsylvania and the winters here can be full on terrible….I’m worried about how they will adjust to the cold (I bought them a big, nice, fancy hutch outside.) because they have been spoiled house rabbits with central heat and a space heater all their lives, when the winter hits. What can I do to keep them warm this winter? (Unfortunately in order to live where me and the rabbits have to live now, they have to be only housed outside all year long.) Someone told me that it’s a terrible idea to put a space heater outside (they will be in their nice new hutch in a large outdoor shed/garage with a roof over it, but the shed has outlets in it that you can plug things into.), but is there any other kind of outdoor heater that I can buy and place directly outside the hutch? Also I will not place anything with a wire inside of the hutch because I have the types of bunnies that will chew through absolutely everything, and I mean everything. Any recommendations? I know rabbits can be outdoor creatures but I am concerned for them because they will definitely not be used to the cold at all + the lionhead has always been fairly tiny (3 lbs.). Thanks.

[Bam]

I don’t know about the heater.

The hutch must be raised above ground, preferably 3 feet or more. There must be a space where they are sheltered against wind, rain, snow and direct sunshine. Preferably that space should be isolated with styrofoam. The netting/cage bars must be predator proof, i e NOT chicken wire, all netting must be welded and the “holes” preferably not bigger than 0,5 inch times 0,5 inch. Weasels and ferrets eat rabbits. Rats can hurt them, but they’d probably be attracted by their food rather than the rabbits themselves. Mice are probably not possible to keep out, even if the hutch is standing on legs, as it should be. There must be a roof, house-cats, weasels and foxes etc climb, prey birds come from above.

They should have bedding like straw and fleece blankies so they can “nest” and they will need a bit extra food to keep warm and grow thick fur. When it’s below zero you need to refresh their water twice a day because it will freeze solid. 

I can see how this is distressing for you, but I hinks it’s better than to have to get rid of the buns. Since they are two, they won’t be lonely and they will help each other keep warm. The main worry I think would be the transition to outdoors from indoors in the middle of the winter. How cold does it get in Pennsylvania?

[mcb100]

The hutch I’ve got them should be fine. They will be sheltered against wind, rain, snow & sun as well. Right, it’s going to be distressing for me as well at first, because I take very good care of these animals and even when they’re caged, I’m used to getting up and peeking into the bunny room/checking on them. I know that it’s just going to be different having them outside at night. Haha & no, I am not giving them up–I would find a different apartment or work something out—they are like my children. It can get pretty cold here. Picture tons of snow in the wintertime (which they will still be sheltered from though), it is not uncommon for PA winters to dip into the negative temperature range (-10, -20, etc).

I am looking at these as well: http://www.amazon.com/Snugg…9

Thank you for your input! If anyone has any more helpful suggestions, that would be great too!

[Bunny Daddy]

Snuggle safes are great, I bought one for one of my feral cat shelters for especially cold nights, but it’s been a pretty mild winter here (Also in PA.) Also, if you haven’t already, you can make a spot that’s just stuffed full with straw (Not hay, straw insulates better.) 

The room I have the bunnies in right now doesn’t have a heater, so it does get a little cold if it drops below 30, or the wind is blowing real bad, so we bought a radiator style space heater at walmart that works pretty well, it turns off automatically if it gets too hot or is knocked over. The brand is Pelonis, I suggest the radiator style heater though, not the kind that blow air, with hay and bunny hair floating around, they’re not a good idea, it could be a fire hazard. 

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