Keeping rabbits/guinea pigs warm this winter.

vivaladiva

The first frosts seem to be on their way and we have two new rabbits that are only 8 weeks old. Their hutch is under cover (tatty shed) but I'm a bit worried that they might not be warm enough. I have considered getting them a heat pad but even on ebay they are quite expensive. I'm wondering about insulating a plywood box with polystyrene or something (polystyrene would have to be sealed to they won't chew it). Anyone got any great old style ideas?

alec_eiffel

My bunny lives inside so don't have any advice from experience other than if you bring your buns inside you'll love it!

I know that's not always possible so this site has some good tips (about all things bunny)

http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/care/winter.asp

They suggest raising the hutch off the ground if it's not already. Use some extra newspaper on the floor of the hutch for insulation, cover the hutch with old carpet etc.

HTH and enjoy your baby buns!

littlemissfrugal

we had an indoor hutch for our two guinea pigs (long gone) in the downstairs loo and bought them in at night in the winter months and sometimes left them in all day if it was particulary cold. i would advise a nesting box inside the hutch with loads of straw - we also had a cover over the front of the hutch which we used at night when they were outside to keep the draughts out, a plastic tablecloth would do the trick

LydiaSophia

We use to have a rabbit and a guinea pig that lived outside in the summer. In the winter we always put their hutch in the basement. The basement was freezing though. Just make sure they have plenty of straw and newspaper in their hutch as bedding. Also you can put a sheet of polythene over the front of the hutch at night which will help keep the frost out.

Apart from that get a large box/ cage and keep them in the kitchen at night - poor little things, I'd hate to be out at night - especially when it actually starts to get really cold!

vivaladiva

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I'd love to have the rabbits indoors, but am a bit concerned that the cat might worry them. (Mind you the cat is quite fat/lazy so might be overestimating the risk here!)

flufff

the cat wont worry them.my old house rabbit used to worry and chase the cat!
I now have 3 bunnies.Used to keep them in the kids wooden playhouse in winter but floor has rooted and they chewed their way out.Mine have a hutch and big run.I cover it with plastic to keep rain off.Contemplating making a big removable wooden roof.Stuck with exs dog so cant bring them in.I'm tearing my hair out at moment looking for ideas.

Becles

My hutch is raised, and in the winter I make a curtain with the thick clear polythene used to insulate greenhouses. You could also use bubble wrap. This keeps the frost and wind out.

I always pack extra hay in for bedding, and when it's going to be below freezing, I make a sort of tent out of a newspaper for them to snuggle up inside.

annie12

Hi, our bunny has her hutch in the shed. I have a radiator that I use when it's cold, it's an electric oil filled one & it definitely keeps the chill off.
It's actually the wet weather along with the coldness that is bad for them.
I bring our bunny into the kitchen if she gets wet in winter, until she has dried. HTH

Sarahjovi

My Bunnies grow really thick coats during the winter, and even on the most frostiest days/nights they are out in their run and seem oblivious to the cold weather. I have a thick carpet covered in plastic over the hutch and cover the top of the run with plastic to provide shelter and also provide lots of hay! My bunnies are 4 years old now and are very happy!

Sarah

Rachie_B

my bunny just chews newspaper if i try lining the hutch with it :rolleyes:

think we are going to put his hutch in the garage when its gets colder though he does come inside a lot ,hubby wont let him live indoors all the time :rolleyes:

mcchse

I have insulated the inside of my guinea pigs' hutch by sticking layers of newspaper and then cardboard to the inside. On the floor of the hutch I then put more cardboard and newspaper and a thick layer of wood shavings Then in their bed area I put in balls of scruched up newspaper and hay to curl up in( they also like to play in this and eat it!)