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pasiria · Dec 4, 2008, 09:45 PM

Hi, I live in the south part of Texas. We hardly have cold weather; however, I would like some advice or tips on keeping my outdoor rabbit warm. It will be his first winter, since he was born around Feb and lived inside. He made the transition to the outdoors about late July. He is a very happy bunny, he has lots of space to run, and play with dirt and grass and hay. His space is about 20 sq ft. I rescued him from animal cruelty. I would like some feedback or you may post your bunny stories. What fruits do you give your bunny as a treat? I have a rabbit's manual, but would love to hear from you!

holly_penyo · Dec 4, 2008, 09:52 PM

I live, well actually lived, in san antonio when I had my bunny, and during the winter we would cover her cage with a blanket to help keep it warm and keep the wind off, but it sounds like your bunny lives in a bigger space and it may be harder to cover it with a blanket.

The blanket idea worked for us, the bunny never died from the cold or anything.

pasiria · Dec 4, 2008, 09:57 PM

Well, we're only 150 miles away, so you know what I mean. It hardly gets real cold, I was reading that an open space will allow more air flow, thus preventing humidity. Thank you.

Alty · Dec 4, 2008, 10:11 PM

You can purchase a type of insulation for your outdoor hutch or you can put siding around to keep drafts out.

As long as bunny has a place that is completely covered and safe from the elements, plenty of fresh water, timothy hay and a good diet, he should be fine.

Make sure to give your bunny plenty of hay as bedding in the winter and summer months, change it regularly as he will soil on it. The hay will help keep him warm.

My recommendation is this. If it's cold enough to freeze the water in his cage, then it's time to bring bunny inside.

I'm not a big fan of keeping bunny's outdoors, but if you have the proper cage and supplies and winters aren't too harsh, then he should be fine.

As for foods. I buy dried bananas for my bunnies, it's very healthy and they love it. Of course they also get lettuce and the occasional carrot. I found a wonderful store manufactured rabbit food that isn't too expensive and is actually very nutritious. I buy it at my local pet store but I'd have to get back to you on the name, I threw out the bag and I can't remember, sorry.

If you have any more questions about your bunny I have had bunny's all my life and currently have 4. Also, my sticky (which you might have seen when you posted this question) has many helpful tips on how to care for a rabbit.

Good luck with your bunny. :)

Emily94 · Dec 10, 2008, 03:06 PM

Hello, our bunny was outside, and all we did was put a small kennal in her run and stuffed it full of shavings, she nestled in and it kept her warm in -50c so I think it will work for you bunny:)

asheridan · Dec 15, 2008, 09:50 PM

I have been raising rabbits in Colorado for decades and have never had a problem with them dealing with cold weather as long as they have shelter so they stay dry and you get them fresh water when it freezes. I do feed them a 4-way grain and hay as the corn in the grain helps produce heat and the hay gives them the roughage they need. Seriously though - in south Texas cold is never going to be the problem. Heat on the other hand will kill a rabbit faster than anything so make sure he has a nice cool place in the summer.

Alty · Dec 16, 2008, 10:05 AM

One thing to keep in mind when housing rabbits. In the wild, rabbits burrow, they live underground. We have domesticated these animals, put them in cages. They instinctually want to burrow, that's why they are always trying to dig out the bottom of their cage.

As long as your rabbit has shelter from the cold, lots of bedding, fresh water etc, then yes, it should be find during the colder months, but you must make sure that s/he has the proper housing, especially since s/he cannot go underground to get out of the weather.