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Author: Rob Usakowski
Winter is now approaching and so the issue of cold weather
is on many peoples minds. Bunnies handle the severe cold much
better than they handle the severe heat. There are two basic
issues you
must be concerned about during the winter months.
First, make sure your bunny has water available. During the
winter months we go with crocks instead of water bottles for
all of our outside rabbits. The tube of the water bottle freezes
much too quickly. We then check the water three times a day
to make sure the water is not frozen. If your bunny does not
have enough water, it will not eat enough food to keep it
warm.
The second thing to consider is shelter from the wind, rain
and snow. A wet rabbit cannot maintain the correct body temperature,
and this is further compounded by the wind. Yes, wind chill
factors make the rabbit feel even colder than the actual temperature.
It is important not to completely block ventilation in barns
and sheds. Ventilation in your rabbitry is just as important
in the winter as it is in the summer. Insulating a barn for
the winter will help keep the barn a little warmer. A balance
between shelter and ventilation is important.
There are several other things you can do for your rabbits
to keep them safe during the winter. We always give extra
straw or timothy hay to our bunnies in the winter. This allows
them to snuggle into the hay should the temperatures get really
cold. Additionally, you can place nest boxes in all of your
cages, as an extra place for the rabbits to snuggle into.
This would be similar to a wild rabbit going into its den
during extreme cold.
Breeding through the winter can present a problem. Baby bunnies
are born without fur. The mother compensates for this by pulling
her fur and covering the babies. There are a couple of options
available to winter breeders. Using a heat lamp, will give
the additional warmth a baby may need to survive. Also, the
nestbox could also be brought inside the house for the first
two weeks.
Of course the nestbox would need to go out to the doe once
or twice a day so that she can feed her kits. After a couple
of weeks they have enough fur to survive the cold temperatures,
and will often huddle together or nestle up to the doe to
stay warm.
Heaters can be used to keep buildings warm. Keep in mind
the extra cost of doing so. Often these are more for our comfort
than for the rabbits. The nice thing about a heater is that
water crocks won't freeze as quickly, and the barn is a little
warmer when you go out to care for the rabbits.
Rabbits can survive the cold. Your diligence in making sure
they have fresh water and good shelter, greatly increases
their comfort level and chances of survival.
About the author:
Rob Usakowski is the owner of Three Little Ladies Rabbitry,
which is run by his wife Cathie and their three daughters. Visit
their website at Holland Lops by
Three Little Ladies Rabbitry for additional articles on
raising rabbits.
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