Cold Weather, how do I keep my rabbits safe?

[Willow Blue]

I'm not used to really cold weather here in the south, and the country is dealing with a massive cold front this week. I have some 10 day old kits and mom's fur is almost nonexistent in the nest, it was really hot when they were born. We are getting to 19 degrees tonight. Should I bring the kits inside or will they be ok outside? My hutches were built for helping them survive our triple digit heat, I wasn't expecting lows like this. Will be lasting 4 nights too. I've wrapped 3 sides with plastic to block wind and I'll drop a huge canvas tarp in front to block wind from that direction. Will that be ok for my adult rabbits and the 4 week old kits that I also have?

 

[Scooter1A]

I'm not used to really cold weather here in the south, and the country is dealing with a massive cold front this week. I have some 10 day old kits and mom's fur is almost nonexistent in the nest, it was really hot when they were born. We are getting to 19 degrees tonight. Should I bring the kits inside or will they be ok outside? My hutches were built for helping them survive our triple digit heat, I wasn't expecting lows like this. Will be lasting 4 nights too. I've wrapped 3 sides with plastic to block wind and I'll drop a huge canvas tarp in front to block wind from that direction. Will that be ok for my adult rabbits and the 4 week old kits that I also have?

Hello and welcome to winter. I am in Illinois but our temps have been high and now of course this geo engineered storm will drop us to drastic crappy temps. So it sounds like you have got things covered, Stuff them with hay and if they are in a windblock they will just sit in there and eat. My sweet doe this morning growled at me when I moved her food bowl, she was arranging her leaves in her cage. They know what to do. This is my first winter with rabbits so this will be the test to see if I did it right. Sounds like you will be fine, wind block, hay, water, good to go!! Let's see if your mama pulls more fur. Interesting.

 

[Willow Blue]

The wind just picked up and it's starting to rain, the front is almost here. In only a few hours we will go from the 60's to the teens, that can't be healthy!! I'm trying not to freak out lol, we aren't used to this crap on the gulf coast. I hope they'll be ok. And my poor garden lol.

 

[Scooter1A]

The wind just picked up and it's starting to rain, the front is almost here. In only a few hours we will go from the 60's to the teens, that can't be healthy!! I'm trying not to freak out lol, we aren't used to this crap on the gulf coast. I hope they'll be ok. And my poor garden lol.

I hear ya, it's stressful. It's -1 here and the wind is crazy but I just went out and fed and rabbits seem fine. My buck is a little freaked out but he calmed down, he's not happy but he's OK. All the clothes I had on he probably didn't know who I was or he's blaming the wind and cold on me. Snow stopped and I pray the sun shines a little tomorrow. Maybe it will be too windy for the pilots to spray their aluminum poison. Creeps. Merry Christmas to all!!

 

[dizzybumblebee]

It can be wasteful but if you line the cage with hay, or straw they can nest in it (and eat it ) They will get dirty, poop in it and make a mess but it will keep them warmer.
You can also give them a nest box with hay stuffed in it.
Both of these ideas are to replicate what rabbits would do in the wild. Making a nest under a thicket or dig a burrow in either really hot or really cold climates.
I would think 10 day old buns would be ok but that is a significant drop in temps.
The real hassle is keeping them hydrated. When cold they don't drink much. Then the issue of thawing bottles or crocks is a joy.
If you are using bottles or a multi-rabbit waterer the lines or nipples will freeze fast. I quite using bottles at below 28F temps and switched to clamp on crocks. Those you have to bang out the ice and add tepid water back into. But with a crock they will drink more.
Ultimately if this really worries you, and I can understand it, you may want to bring them in overnight in carry cages (or dog crates, or even cages stacked up) If you have lotso cats and dogs in the house they will be snoopy and pester them, put them into a garage or separate room. They will be stressed enough.
Her in Western Oregon we have a typically mild climate. Rarely gets below 30 and in the summer we don't have high temps... at least not all summer only a few times each summer.
I would bring my buns in during the worst part of the weather. Hot for my rabbits is much more stressful. I do know they slowly adapt so your dealing with the opposite side.
Oh and they eat A LOT MORE when cold. Free feed or at least give more than usual

 

[Buknee]

I have 2 litters the same age. It is has dropped here into the negatives. I am not willing to find frozen babies. I have brought mine into the garage and take them up to their moms twice a day. It is more work to my already extra work load with keeping all our critters watered, but at least I don't worry about them. The older ones should be fine. They will keep each other warm. I did put a nest box back in for my Rex babies (8weeks) since I have them separated from their mom.

 

[dizzybumblebee]

I have 2 litters the same age. It is has dropped here into the negatives. I am not willing to find frozen babies. I have brought mine into the garage and take them up to their moms twice a day. It is more work to my already extra work load with keeping all our critters watered, but at least I don't worry about them. The older ones should be fine. They will keep each other warm. I did put a nest box back in for my Rex babies (8weeks) since I have them separated from their mom.

I don't blame you... I know they do have fur coats and we worry worry, but it is only for a short time.

 

[Graceful Rabbitry]

Yes, I am also so worried about my rabbits, working on building a barn for them it would be really convenient right now. It is 4 out right now will get up to 13 later. I worry through the night wondering if they got enough water before it froze. I switch to water bowls when it’s below freezing all day. I don’t worry about the babies too much we have built a under ground nest box with a ramp for the mom to get her cage and down to them. I love it!! We have old tarps over our hutches and tin on their sides the hutch it’s self has plywood on the back. Worked very well last year but it didn’t get this cold wishing for the best for everyone and their Rabbits!!

 

[Scooter1A]

-2 with winds around 25-30 mph, that's fun, NOT. All well, they look just fine. Chickens are fine but they aren't happy about being cooped up. Now I won't be so worried in the future, block those bunnies from wind, hay, pellets, bowls of water changing out at least twice a day. They are fine but I'm glad we are going to be up to 5 tomorrow, that's progress.

 

[Tommy]

I cover all but the very front and bottom of my cages and at night I cover all but the bottom. We also add sunflower seeds to their diet, like I do for nursing moms. I have not lost any through the winter. We also have 3 week old kits that are doing well. Temperature was below zero last night.

 

[Scooter1A]

I cover all but the very front and bottom of my cages and at night I cover all but the bottom. We also add sunflower seeds to their diet, like I do for nursing moms. I have not lost any through the winter. We also have 3 week old kits that are doing well. Temperature was below zero last night.

good to know. I give BOS with their pellets. this wind is brutal.

 

[freelady96]

I have 19 day old kits in -13 . They are still in nesting box and seem to be fine. I bought some material called Kapok all natural nesting material made by Kaytee. It was just under 3 bucks and it really is a nice warm insulator.
Mama had kits in back if box but pulled them up to the front. When i reached in, i felt the frozen urine mixed in with the fur, hay and wood chips in the back. I pryed it out and stuffed some dry hay in. Mama has pulled it in and around the kits.
Im glad i pulled that pee iceburg out.
Mama knows best.

 

[BuffBrahmaBantam]

The wind just picked up and it's starting to rain, the front is almost here. In only a few hours we will go from the 60's to the teens, that can't be healthy!! I'm trying not to freak out lol, we aren't used to this crap on the gulf coast. I hope they'll be ok. And my poor garden lol.

If I were you, I would take every precaution and either bring your buns inside to a warmer place, or put a lot of hay for them to use as a nest. The temps you describe are not an issue as much as the change in temperature. Rabbits do fine in extreme cold if they are allowed to acclimate. Your situation is crazy - a 50 degree change in temperature in one day may be too much for 10 day old kits.

 

[Willow Blue]

The rabbits all did just fine. I burned through a ton of hay to insulate their cages and give them lots of bedding to warm themselves in. Back and sides wrapped in double layer plastic tarp, front covered with a thick canvas cloth. Tied it all down in the wind. Had to change out frozen water several times but we made it. Still hitting the 20s at night but high got to the 50s today. Lots of people got sick from our temperature swing, lots of cancelled Christmas guests. On Thursday we’ll swing from the 30’s to the 70’s, another big swing but not as bad as the first one. Chickens don’t look too happy in this cold, the bunnies sure don’t seem bothered. The kits stayed in their nest box the whole time, no interest in coming out.

 

[Scooter1A]

The rabbits all did just fine. I burned through a ton of hay to insulate their cages and give them lots of bedding to warm themselves in. Back and sides wrapped in double layer plastic tarp, front covered with a thick canvas cloth. Tied it all down in the wind. Had to change out frozen water several times but we made it. Still hitting the 20s at night but high got to the 50s today. Lots of people got sick from our temperature swing, lots of cancelled Christmas guests. On Thursday we’ll swing from the 30’s to the 70’s, another big swing but not as bad as the first one. Chickens don’t look too happy in this cold, the bunnies sure don’t seem bothered. The kits stayed in their nest box the whole time, no interest in coming out.

That's good news. I'd be happy to have 20s at night. Lesson learned: leaves are essential. Found coyote tracks in my yard this morning, going tracking soon.

 

[Tommy]

I have learned that keeping them dry and blocking high winds are really the keys. The sunflower seeds are there to preserve their weight.

 

[hotzcatz]

wonder if there'd be any way to put a hot pad under the water dishes to keep them thawed? It'd have to be under the hutch wire so they couldn't chew the wires. Maybe put the heating pad in a plastic bag to keep any droppings off of it, then secure that up under the water dish area? or, if using a water bottle, somehow secure the heating pad around the bottle? We've never had a too cold issue so it's not something that I've ever had to deal with, but being a lazy critter, I'd find a way to get it heated somehow.

In large hotels, there's a constantly running small pump which circulates the hot water so it will always be available when the taps are turned on since the water heater is so far from most everything. Would there be some way to insulate the pipes and circulate warm water through them to keep them from freezing?

 

[tambayo]

Problem with heating water a little is all kinds of bacteria will be very happy.
I don't want a watering system here due to spreading disease (backwash i.e. saliva in the system) and i want to see how much each bunny drinks. It tells me if there is a problem (not enough food is one, heat of course, but also illness or something not working). Put young bucks in a pen together and they drink/wee more and if they are not littermates it's even worse. I prefer to water individual pens for prevention and spotting problems early.
We had a cold snap with a few days of frost 24hrs, but water stayed liquid in the shed. With outside bigger livestock i have had to break ice and refresh pails daily for a while each winter, but for a max of about 10 days per winter investing in fancy stuff isn't really worth it.

 

[Tommy]

You can get heating pads, bucket heaters and brooder lamps but they all have one problem. Warm water is a breeding ground for bacteria. I use the ole water bottle hanging on the cage. Yes there’s plenty of technology to support us in caring for our rabbits. Using the bottles forces me to visit every cage at least once a day. I see and record everything my rabbits drink and eat. That allows me to understand how each rabbit is doing and it gives historical data to develop plans for expansion. Knock on wood, I have only lost 2 adult rabbits in three years. One due to predators and the other died giving birth (extreme noise late in pregnancy caused spontaneous abortion and death). It’s more work to do all that but I like to think that all the time spent looking and recording is leading to healthier rabbits.

 

[AlbinoGiant]

I keep rabbits both indoors and outdoors. The outdoor rabbits have always been fine even in the most coldest weather.