Rabbits and water

[trinityoaks]

I know that wet rabbits in winter can be deadly, but what about SE Texas summers? Daytime highs run about 90-90F and overnight lows about 70-75F this time of year.

The buns are in an enclosure with wood lattice sides (lined with plastic sheeting) and a roof of vinyl siding. How diligent do I need to be about not letting rain or lawn-sprinkler overspray get into the rabbit "barn"?

The vines I planted around the sides are growing nicely, but it'll be a while before they completely cover the walls all the way to the eaves. Still, would it be ok to roll the plastic sheeting up to the top to allow more air flow through the "barn"?

 

[SMR]

I spray the rabbits (mist them not soak them)/barn down when it gets really hot out, even with ac on to try to keep the expense down and the ac only set on interval runs. I've never had a problem doing it, had a few not like it but never hurt any one.

 

[MaggieJ]

Unless you have driving winds that take a deluge into the rabbitry, I think that in summer heat the extra ventilation is worth the odd sprinkling of water on the rabbits. I mist mine with a spray bottle in summer and have never had any ill effects. Our old summer rabbitry was pretty open and I know the rabbits occasionally got damp during a storm, but again, no ill effects. The one exception to this would be kits in the nest box. I would take steps to ensure that they stay dry. Even if they didn't get chilled from moisture, the nest box would become nasty very quickly if wet.

 

[trinityoaks]

Thanks, y'all! We hit 91 today, and the buns seemed to be a little uncomfortable. My water wand has a mist setting, so I misted them down. They didn't like it very well, but they seemed to be more comfortable after they settled down again.

I think I will go ahead and roll up the plastic tomorrow. I'm hoping to breed my Rex does in the next month, but will make sure the nest boxes are protected from getting wet.