I have an outdoor rabbit, and we have a hutch with a box at the end where he can move freely in and out. Our bottle of water keeps freezing, and we cannot bring him inside because we got the rabbit for our son and his sister is allergic: (the cage part is open wire with a roof and the bottom is open wire. Also our rabbit does not pee or poo outside of his box, during the sumer we blocked off his house (with exception of hot days) so he would be trained to go outside in the caged area, now that we have opened it back up, hes going on the inside again. I need all the help of getting him through the winter. Thanks
I don't really understand what your rabbit hutch is like - is it just a sleeping compartment and a run, similar to the one below?
http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets ... My rabbits lived outside all year round and had a hutch and run that was similar to that one, only a lot bigger (the hutches were two storey and the run 10 X 3 feet).
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We put perspex against the window, covering about 3/4 of the window so that air could still ventilate but most of the wind, rain or snow was kept out. Is the hutch roof insulated? We put insulator under all the wood and used shed felting for the top. Give your bunny extra straw too, for warmth, and just basically try and keep drafts to a minimum.
Water needs checking and de-freezing at least twice a day, putting lukewarm water (not hot!) Into his bowl will help and prevent it freezing so quick.
Hope this helps:)
I had the same problem. Now what i do is Put a little bit of warm water and the rest cold so its cold-ish it okay for the rabbits to drink it but it takes longer for the water to freeze. And then put a old sock over the bottle. Or buy a bottle cover. Also put alot of straw in the hutches and at night put some covers over the hutches or just cover the wire bit.
Might want to get a heated garage and put the rabbits in there. I know a neighbor that has that because they have cats in there.
You may have to find a way to heat the rabbit's hutch
Rabbits shouldn't be kept on wire , it seriously damages their feet and also lets in draughts. The rabbit should either be kept in a proper rabbit hutch with a solid floor (minimum of 6ftx2ftx2ft) or in a converted shed or large dog kennel (the kind with the shed bit and run ).
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In order to keep them healthy through winter they need a fully enclosed area and to be kept away from wind, rain, snow and those deadly draughts! They should have a deep nest of straw and hay and the water replaced regularly to prevent freezing.
The only way to keep them from freezing is to have a bowl on a snugglesafe really. I've wrapped my water bottle in lots of stuff, it still freezes!
This is my set up:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/catxx/52144 ... They have 24/7 access to the run below, which is protected from the wind and rain by that shower curtain. Over the front of the hutch, that blanket comes down and it has a "hutch hugger" over the top to keep it dry, underneath the hutch hugger I also have a cheap duvet to keep it super snuggly. You can see how much hay I put in there, it's the same in the "bed" part (which they don't use that much). I also use a snugglesafe in the current freezing temperatures.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com They have day access to the grass run on the right you can just about see in that photo. They still spend the majority of the time down in the run, it's on paving slabs but I've put pet fleeces down there to keep it soft and snuggly! They are also litter trained and their litter pans are downstairs.
You're shortening his lifespan by keeping him outside. Best solution? Give him to someone who can give him proper care. I understand the allergy thing. I 'm allergic to the Timothy hay that I give to my rabbits and my chinchilla, but I take an allergy pill for that. I get it if you don't want to put your daughter on mess for a pet, but your best bet would be finding him a different home where he can live indoors, and get your kids a hypoallergenic pet ... Like a chinchilla. They dot produce any dander so it's very rare that people have allergies to them
Your rabbit will be just fine , if you do the following;
Make sure the hutch is insulated ..... and only has an opening large enough for him to get in and out of.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
Have a section that is protected from wind and snow ... but has lots of straw, so they can do their "business" He sounds like a pretty smart rabbit .... Just give him the basics.
As far as the water is concerned ... This is something you will have to deal with .... you will have to change it 4-5 times a day during freezing weather ...... Depends on how much you care about this rabbit .... This is what having a pet is all about ..... Either take responsibility or don't get a pet ..
