We have the buns in a nice garden shed. I bought an a/c this summer and just installed a door with a window that opens because the shed is windowless. What indoor temp is preferable for fall/winter? I don't want to make everyone too hot 
Suggested indoor rabbitry temp in winter
- Thread starter Tiny Buns
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My outdoor buns prefer 60-40s as "comfy".
When we had only one, we kept him outside all winter. -40 Canadian cold quite often. We had a heated water dish, insulated his hutch, and place a lamp under the hutch for a bit of heat. We was always binkying like wee fo when we'd go out to use the hot tub.
I just wasn't sure if newborns and small kits need extra heat or what the indoor temp should be
I just wasn't sure if newborns and small kits need extra heat or what the indoor temp should be
If the doe has done the job right, the kits will be okay in a hairexplosive nest. I had babes born in January and they didnt come out until almost 3 weeks old!!
TF3
Well-known member
Following with interest.
Our rabbits are in a porch attached to the house, so there will be a little ambient heat.
The screened walls will be covered, so no drafts but still COLD (Northern Ontario).
I am planning on adding little shelter spaces and straw to each cage.
We are considering some sort of heat source to keep things from going to -40 if needed, however things like a ceramic heater are no good because their thermostat would keep them running forever as you can't set them to sub-zero LOL
Our rabbits are in a porch attached to the house, so there will be a little ambient heat.
The screened walls will be covered, so no drafts but still COLD (Northern Ontario).
I am planning on adding little shelter spaces and straw to each cage.
We are considering some sort of heat source to keep things from going to -40 if needed, however things like a ceramic heater are no good because their thermostat would keep them running forever as you can't set them to sub-zero LOL
Picked up an old propane furnace that used to be in a mobile home - it'd been sitting around outside for some time. Got it for $10. The squirrel cage fan worked so figured it was worth that. We were surprised when we hooked it up to a propane tank and it worked just fine. So we cleaned it up and put it in the bunny barn.
We don't turn it on unless the outdoor temp is supposed to be 20F or lower for an extended time. Had to buy a special thermostat - kicks on at 30F off at 45F.
The main purpose is to keep the water bottles from freezing and to ensure our comfort when we're in there doing chores. Otherwise, we wouldn't need to heat the barn at all - doesn't get all that cold here.
So, the short answer would be just warm enough to keep things from freezing.
We don't turn it on unless the outdoor temp is supposed to be 20F or lower for an extended time. Had to buy a special thermostat - kicks on at 30F off at 45F.
The main purpose is to keep the water bottles from freezing and to ensure our comfort when we're in there doing chores. Otherwise, we wouldn't need to heat the barn at all - doesn't get all that cold here.
So, the short answer would be just warm enough to keep things from freezing.
I don't heat at all to -20 f and below. Blocking wind is more important than keeping the heat up.
I've seen my rabbits get snowed on, and the snow on their backs did not melt. :shock: In other words, not enough heat was escaping to melt it. That's some very good insulation!!!
The nestboxes come inside with me though, so that I never get any dragged-out-of-the-nest kits, and also so that we can socialize them inside, since I've noticed my winter born kits get a LOT less handling outside.
I've seen my rabbits get snowed on, and the snow on their backs did not melt. :shock: In other words, not enough heat was escaping to melt it. That's some very good insulation!!!
The nestboxes come inside with me though, so that I never get any dragged-out-of-the-nest kits, and also so that we can socialize them inside, since I've noticed my winter born kits get a LOT less handling outside.
DBA":1n0247qq said:
I'm pretty sure we got it at Grainger...http://www.grainger.com/
If not there, then probably FarmTek...http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/home
I know the rabbits don't need it but it sure makes it nice when the temperature drops. I'm nearly 60 and my dad, who helps me most mornings, is in his 80's. Neither one of us misses switching out frozen crocks!
