How much cold can rabbits take?

Celeste5 said:

So, the past couple of days it’s gotten unexpectedly cold very quickly. I got my rabbits this summer and never thought about what I would do with them in the winter. I have two of them (both bucks) in a large outdoor cage. I had to separate my two does some time ago so they are living in a smaller cage that can be heated so they’ll be fine this winter. The problem is that the area my bucks live in does not have power readily accessible. I’ve had to run a really long extension cord for my quail that live in the same place but their three cages take up all the power outlets. I’ve been giving the bucks straw to hide and burrow in and they also have a plastic kitty litter box to hide in but I’m not sure either of those is enough. It’s going to get down into the teens in a couple days. Will they be ok since they have winter coats or should I try to do more and if I should try to do more do any of you have any tips for me? I’m always afraid of asking too much from power strips so I’m not sure I’m even willing to make that an option. The cage the does are in is really close to being too small for them so putting the bucks in with them is also not an option, plus they’re really mean to my poor girls. Anyway, anything would help. Thanks!

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Alaska Satin said:

Rabbits are a very cold-adapted species. As long as they've been outside the whole time, your rabbits should be fine without heating (unless they are a tiny breed like Britannia Petite, or one with special considerations like English Lops' ears).

Our rabbits lived in a semi-open shed for 16 years, and now live in an insulated, but unheated, barn. They are always in all-wire cages. During the winter, temps routinely go below zero for significant stretches of time. When it gets very cold - less than about 10 below zero F - we give our smallest rabbits (2.5 lb Polish) a box filled with straw or hay to snuggle into. But I resist putting hay in the rabbits' cages because it becomes a nightmare to keep clean, and if rabbits get wet or dirty, then they do become susceptible to suffering from the cold.

Keeping them well-watered is more important than providing ambient warmth, since if they're well-hydrated, rabbits can do fine in extremely cold temperatures (like several stretches of 35 below zero last year, ugh). You may see them sitting balled up and covered in frost, but that means that their natural insulation is working!

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Celeste5 said:

Thank you so much for this information. Do you think I should get them an insulated box to be in? All they have right now is a plastic kitty litter box so I don’t think that does much for them. They also tend to chew up whatever I put in their cage despite changing up play things and such quite often. If I do put a box in there it would also get chewed up so, if you think it might be necessary, what material and insulation would you recommend? I don’t want to give them something that would hurt them if they ate it.

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Alaska Satin said:

Rabbits' fur is their own natural insulation. It's actually incredible at doing its job. My daughter did a science fair experiment comparing the heat-retention properties of wool, flannel, synthetic fiber and rabbit fur (from our does' nesting boxes), and the rabbit fur far and away outperformed all the rest (and also was the lightest material).

As long as your rabbits are out of the wind and rain/snow, they should do fine in the KY winter. If they're meat rabbit sized, I wouldn't give them anything else. I only put boxes in the cages for nesting does; if I give my rabbits boxes at other times, they tend to become potty boxes, and the rabbits end up getting stained and/or wet feet.

If you really want them to have a box, you can leave the kitty litter box in with them, and fill it with wood shavings (not cedar) and straw or hay. I don't think you need to insulate it. A wooden box would also work, and then they could chew to their hearts' content. Just be aware, though, that if they sit in it a lot, and/or use it as a potty tray, they may end up wet and dirty, which is what you don't want.

Again, keeping rabbits clean, dry and well-watered seems to be the key to cold-weather comfort for winter weather in most of the U.S.

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Celeste5 said:

Thank you so much for this information. Do you think I should get them an insulated box to be in? All they have right now is a plastic kitty litter box so I don’t think that does much for them. They also tend to chew up whatever I put in their cage despite changing up play things and such quite often. If I do put a box in there it would also get chewed up so, if you think it might be necessary, what material and insulation would you recommend? I don’t want to give them something that would hurt them if they ate it.

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dlynn said:

Wind block is the most important. Your plastic will do that, but cardboard or wood is more insulating. I use box inside of box in group housing.(Den boxes inside a larger shelter) . Covering the cages and keeping the kitty boxes will do that. Just be sure to also leave some ventilation.

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Bunnies4me said:

Give them a wooden box that doesn't have a floor - then it doesn't get too messy. Mine have that and if they are cold, they sit on top of their boxes - admittedly that does become a bit soiled, but it not usually their designated corner. Wood is an awesome insulator!

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