Garages

[Desert Rose Rabbits]

Right now I have my does in quarantine outside in the backyard as I have no way of keeping the garage cooled down for the summer and they're used to the heat. They're set up with a mister system I cannibalized from the front porch so they're doing ok. However, I've got a buck that's used to being in a VERY climate controlled rabbit shed/barn and to be honest, with the snow during the winter, it'd be easier if they were inside somewhere. Are there any special considerations that should be made for Garage Rabbits? Our furnace and water heater are out there, but the car never is. Do I need to worry about fumes? What about sunlight? Depending on the weather, there are weeks where they may not be able to get outside for a few days. Would this be a problem or something akin to them simply being a house rabbit?

 

[Dood]

Rabbits do not need sunlight to make Vitamin D, so you don't need to worry about such a deficiency.

They do need at least 8 hours of light to maintain a circadian rhythm and keep breeding all winter.

There shouldn't be any 'fumes' from the furnace or water heater, their by products are odourless and harmless, unless they are faulty and release carbon monoxide. A detector in the garage may be a prudent idea.

I would worry about air circulation - the rabbits will add a lot of humidity to the garage and create a breeding ground for mildew and fungal spores to form. I would install an exhaust fan to ensure fresh air is drawn in and used air out.

 

[Desert Rose Rabbits]

Rabbits do not need sunlight to make Vitamin D, so you don't need to worry about such a deficiency.

They do need at least 8 hours of light to maintain a circadian rhythm and keep breeding all winter.

There shouldn't be any 'fumes' from the furnace or water heater, their by products are odourless and harmless, unless they are faulty and release carbon monoxide. A detector in the garage may be a prudent idea.

I would worry about air circulation - the rabbits will add a lot of humidity to the garage and create a breeding ground for mildew and fungal spores to form. I would install an exhaust fan to ensure fresh air is drawn in and used air out.

Hmmmm... do you think installing an inexpensive screen door to the outside access door would cover it? We don't have the money right now to put in an exhaust fan (courtesy of our dog Terra who insisted on having a lateral foreign body removed from her gut :wall: Don't know what to do with that dang dog!). Also, some people down the road from us did some work to their garage and got nailed by the HOA and had to take everything out/down, so if we make any changes that are visible, the HOA will grump.

 

[Dood]

If you plug in a floor fan to move the air around it should help.

 

[Cottie]

Hmmmm... do you think installing an inexpensive screen door to the outside access door would cover it? We don't have the money right now to put in an exhaust fan (courtesy of our dog Terra who insisted on having a lateral foreign body removed from her gut :wall: Don't know what to do with that dang dog!). Also, some people down the road from us did some work to their garage and got nailed by the HOA and had to take everything out/down, so if we make any changes that are visible, the HOA will grump.

An exhaust fan can be as simple as putting it in a window. Just build a custom screen to cover the gaps (extremely easy). You could also ask permission from the HOA to place slatted shutters on the outside, so you'll reduce drafts in cold weather and still gain the benefit of the fan.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I doubt your HOA would be able to complain about screened vents. Install them both near floor and ceiling level. The screen door and fan are good ideas as well.