Outdoor rabbits - your opinions please

**Maisiepaisie** · #1 02-07-07, 03:40 pm

I have 2 rabbits called Lolly and Dylan who live in my garden. They have free run of the garden and 4 hutches (doors always open) for shelter. Right now its bitterly cold here in the UK, below freezing. Is it OK for rabbits to live like this? Whenever I've brought them indoors they don't seem happy and will go out again if the doors open. I'm inclined to think they're happier outside doing the natural things rabbits do, digging, foraging etc but I'm so worried that they might be cold.

**_Luck_** · #2 02-07-07, 04:44 pm

If it's below freezing then I would absolutely DEFINITELY bring them in. I don't know a lot about rabbits but surely any mammal needs warmth. Do any of the hutches stay warm somehow? Maybe you could put heating pads or hot water bottles with blankets over them inside, but they'd get cold quickly.
If you can spare a room in your house, maybe a guest bedroom or something, then I would put them in there with some toys and food and stuff until the weather gets warm again.
But I really don't know much about rabbits, whether it's okay for them to be outdoor, if they hibernate, etc. I'm using instinct, sorry if I get something wrong here but I doubt they're really comfy in the below freezing temperatures!!
By the way, I fell in love with the black and white one. Who's who, may I ask? And Dylan is my dog's name, haha!

**Maisiepaisie** · #3 02-07-07, 04:55 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Luck_

By the way, I fell in love with the black and white one. Who's who, may I ask? And Dylan is my dog's name, haha!

The black and white one is Dylan. He's a neutered male. Lolly, the mainly white one is female. This is my absolute favourite picture of Dylan, I just have to post it

**Emmett** · #4 02-07-07, 04:55 pm

They should be fine outside as long as they have a place to get out of the rain and snow. A nesting box full of straw should be available to them. I don't think it gets as cold in the UK as does here in Montana and rabbits do fine outside. The only trouble I've ever had was with fly strike in the summer. You don't want to bring them in unless they are going to stay in for the rest of the winter. Putting them outside after they've got used to a warm house would be a shock to their systems.

**Maisiepaisie** · #5 02-07-07, 05:06 pm

They do have lots of hay in their hutches. Luckily tonight is not as cold as it has been the last couple of nights but I think tomorrow I will buy a large tarpaulin sheet to cover the hutches. That should add some degree of warmth.

**VoodooJoint** · #6 02-07-07, 06:04 pm

No, it's not okay for rabbits to live like that. You are correct. They are cold.

The reason they don't seem to like being inside is probebly because you keep them in cages inside, right? Probably rather small cages at that too. Of course they aren't happy. No animal would be happy having to live in a small cage and would much prefer having the ability to roam, romp and play.

My rabbits are just the opposite of yours. Inside they have room to explore and play on their terms. When the weather is nice outside I allow them out to play and forage in a special area I have for them but they are much more relaxed and happy inside.

No small animal should be housed outside. Imagine if you were to move your bed outside in this weather. Even if you had plenty of blankets and a warm coat you would still be uncomfortable, cold and wet. Imagine if your option of coming inside meant that you had to stay in your room with only a bed, food and water and were not allowed out and you barely had room to take 5 steps back and forth. Neither existence sounds particularly good does it?

Ouside animals are subject to severe tempurature changes, rain, sleet, thunderstorms as well as bugs and parasites and a huge variety of predetors and terrifying happenings.

Do your rabbits a favor and make them house rabbits House Rabbit Society Rabbit Care Guide They will be much happier and healthier for it.

**naturestee** · #7 02-07-07, 09:02 pm

I know it looks like your fence is good, but are you 100% sure that no predators can get into your yard? I'd be very worried since there's no protection other than a fence and the hutches they can run into. Cats can kill rabbits, and I've heard foxes can be common in urban areas of the UK. Owls and hawks can carry off a surprisingly large rabbit, too.

And especially considering that even if the rabbit escapes successfully, it can still die from fright/stress, I'd be very concerned about the safety of your rabbits. All it takes is a few seconds.

**crazywiggy** · #8 02-08-07, 02:44 am

I'm not going to join the debate about keeping rabbits outside, but if you are going to keep them outdoors in this weather there are a few things you could do...

Insulate their hutches. Look for hutch huggers and hutch snuggles by scratch and newton. They are weatherproof insulating covers for hutches to help keep the temperature more stable. They also do bottle covers to stop their water freezing. I think they sell online, or at pets at home.

Also make sure you give them more food than usuall and LOADS of bedding. Maybe you could also put an extra cover around the hutches so snow can't get in. You might need to change bedding every day at least if it's getting wet.

These things aren't perfect - but they might help.

**Maisiepaisie** · #9 02-08-07, 03:39 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by VoodooJoint

The reason they don't seem to like being inside is probebly because you keep them in cages inside, right? .

No you are wrong. I brought them into the house and let them wander around. I would never keep them in cages. You don't know how much I hate petstore cages/hutches. When I brought them indoors they seemed distressed and wanted to get out again. I really wish they could tell me what they wanted as I've absolutely no problem with them living indoors if thats what makes them happy. I just want to do what is best for them so I will have a read of that link you posted, thanks.

Naturstee, I don't think foxes would be able to climb that fence and as far as I'm aware there are no hawks or owls in this area. Cats do wander in but have never bothered the rabbits. Howver I am going to seriously consider bringing them inside until this cold spell passes.

I really appreciate all your input, thank you.

**OSUCavies** · #10 02-08-07, 11:41 am

Please bring your beautiful bunnies inside! I'm sure they are cold.

**VoodooJoint** · #11 02-08-07, 02:06 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maisiepaisie

I brought them into the house and let them wander around. I would never keep them in cages. You don't know how much I hate petstore cages/hutches. When I brought them indoors they seemed distressed and wanted to get out again.

Your rabbits are indeed exact opposite of mine. While mine are more relaxed inside, because they are used to it, yours are more comfortable outside for the same reasons.

They will get used to being inside and learn to love it. You will love it too as you will have more opportunities to watch their funny antics and interact with them.

It's just like when petstore caged GPs need time occationally to get used to a new bigger C&C cage. Any animal needs time to get used to changes. They don't always realize at first that the changes are a good thing especially prey animals that do not like environment changes because it could mean danger.

Bring them in, make it fun and comforting. Pet them alot to reasure them. Give them toys and reward them with treats. They will soon realize that inside, with people, is the place to be because it's so rewarding. They will still want to get out to dig and forage but save those times for when the weather is nice and they can be out there comfortably and safely.

**SoCalCavies** · #12 02-08-07, 02:56 pm

[FONT=Century Gothic]I owned my bunnies for over 12 years. I also picked the brain of probably the best bunny vet in the country - Dr. Jeffery Jenkins of Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital in San Diego (and Dr. Cecil). I read all of his articles. I am also a member of the House Rabbit Society to this day...

Your bunnies are NOT ok outside. They are cold. I don't care how much tarp you put on top of their hutches. Cold is cold. Trust your instincts!!! You know it's too cold or you wouldn't be fretting over it.

They are also prone to predators. Like someone else mentioned, not all predators are located on the ground! Do you know there are eagles, hawks and other airborne creatures that would love to have your bunnies for lunch?

Not only that, from the looks of your pictures, they don't even have any grass to play in. It looks like they are in dirt. ??

Please bring them inside. So many posts here offered great reasons why and suggestions on what to do. What I found the most true is what VoodooJoint said; you have no idea the interaction you are missing by having them outside!

As was already posted, PLEASE read the House Rabbit Society's website!! I think you'll find it extremely helpful.

I hope this helps, too, and doesn't sound like yelling. I just really hate to see them outside. At least you don't cage them all alone though. That's the worst thing you could do to such a beautifully gentle, socially interactive , herd animal. So, obviously you care about them. I'm so glad...
[/FONT]

**Maisiepaisie** · #13 02-11-07, 06:02 pm

OK you've convinced me and I will bring them inside shortly. The weather has got better and its nowhere near as cold as it was but anyway I will bring them in but first I need to sort out exposed electrical cables.

**Maisiepaisie** · #14 02-16-07, 09:22 am

I brought my bunnies inside this morning. I gave them a little bedding box next to the guinea pig cage which they have stayed in for most of the day. I've been keeping watch over them all day and they've come out a few times and nosied at the piggies and ate some food then gone back to the bedding box. They're still very unsure of their new surroundings but hopefully they'll soon get used to being in a nicer and warmer environment. I'll keep you updated

**caribear** · #15 02-16-07, 10:44 am

I love your bunnies! They are so adoreable!

**SoCalCavies** · #16 02-17-07, 03:18 am

BRAVO!!! Huge pats on the back from me and a great big hug!

You just made my day. Thank you! (I would've posted that in BOLD if we could on this website! I'm yelling: BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO!)

Now, just wait and see how much better you get to know them! My two bunnies were like night and day...and so much more admired once I experienced them

Thank you Maisiepaisie for this useful post, says:
SoCalCavies (02-11-07)

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