Keeping babies warm

[mama24]

I feel kind of silly asking this since I am from SW PA, and we kept our rabbits outside. And here I am in NC, and it's going down to *maybe* 25 at the coldest any given winter here, my rabbits are in a 3 sided barn, and I'm worried about them! LOL. But they're itty bitty babies! I haven't had rabbits since I was maybe 12. I got 2 California bucks, I think they're probably 10 weeks old, maybe older. We've had them for about 5 days and know which one is the keeper and which is not. I felt fine leaving the boys out there, they seem big enough to keep each other warm. But I also got 2 6week old New Zealand does 2 days ago and they are so so tiny. I feel awful leaving them out there! I have them together in the cage next to the boys, who are also together. I covered the top of the cages with hay and I threw some old blankets over both cages to block the wind and keep the heat in. Is that enough? The girls are just little babies and I am feeling guilty!

 

[terri9630]

Put some hay IN the cages. That way they can snuggle into it for warmth or eat it to help them stay warm. Digestion creates heat. As long as they are out of the wind they should be fine.

 

[Beekissed]

I agree with being out of the wind. As long as they have a place out of the wind their fur coats are good insulation, but I'd watch that hay in the cages for any dampness. Cold and damp could become a problem.

 

[lastfling]

Being in NC also, I had several does kindle in early December and raise their young from kindling to now in my rabbit barn which is unheated. My barn is enclosed on 4 sides, with a set of 3 openings (similar to windows) along one side. I keep the center opening open for ventilation (they have drop down hinged boards - making each opening approximately 2x2 - or 6x2 for the three -- if you can picture that). At any rate, there have been some pretty chilly nights and a couple of days since then and all have been fine. The only losses I had were at kindling - losing one in each litter. The remainder are doing great. I think as others have said. If you can keep the drafts under control - you and the rabbits will be fine.

 

[mama24]

Thanks! They do have hay in their cages. I put a Rubbermaid washtub filled with hay in each for them to sleep in, plus a little pile in the corner to snack on. The boys pee in their washtub, but the girls seem to be keeping theirs clean. Is that a normal thing, for boys to pee where they sleep??? I have to clean it out pretty much daily. I need to get some straw so I'm not wasting so much hay! And probably put some pine shavings in the bottom. I'm out of those, too. Here are some pics of my new little cuties!

 

[Beekissed]

Usually a rabbit will pee in the same corner of the cage....just move your sleeping quarters to another corner and see how it goes.

 

[mama24]

I tried that, and they moved it back! LOL

 

[SuburbanFarmChic]

I would turn it over and cut a hole in the side and wire it to the wall. Put hay underneath it and they'll have a pee through shelter and they can't play interior decorator.

 

[dwbonfire]

hello, im from NC too! where are both of you located? im in anson county. didnt realize i had so many neighbors on here!

i havent gotten into rabbits yet, but im sure it wont be long. i wondered how they would fair the heat here in the summers more than the cold of the winters, but both are a concern to me. i feel like rabbits might be fragile, but i might be totally wrong. i just worry more about smaller caged animals rather than my other livestock when it comes to weather conditions.

 

[Beekissed]

In the hottest weather, I just hang box fans so they would blow across all cages to move fresh air over the buns.