Raising Rabbits Outdoors. Are you looking to start raising rabbits outdoors? If so check out this latest raising rabbits article.
There are lots of good reasons to raise rabbits outdoors. Perhaps you are looking for a small-scale 4-H project. Or perhaps your allergies prohibit you from keeping a pet in the house. Whatever your reasons, rabbits can be raised outdoors with great success.
Proper + Protective Outdoors Rabbit Housing
The most important thing to consider when raising rabbits outdoors is housing. Rabbit Hutches must protect rabbits from the wind, rain, sun, and snow. The hutch should have sides that prevent precipitation from entering, but still allow for good ventilation. Position the hutch against the house or barn so that it will be in the shade and sheltered from wind.
Caging for rabbits housed outdoors should be extra secure. Some bunnies are escape masters and will lose no opportunity to get out of their rabbit cages. Check your outdoor hutches often to make sure they aren’t coming apart. Hutches should be raised at least three feet off of the ground to keep bunnies within safe from cats or raccoons. If you position within sight of the house, you can keep an eye on things to make sure no bunnies are loose or no unwanted visitors get to your rabbits. Placing the hutch inside a securely fenced area is even better.
Raising Rabbits Outdoors: In the Summer and Winter
Rabbits are hardy critters and can withstand sub-zero temps with no problem. The most important thing is that they have fresh water at least twice a day during freezing weather. If you want, you can offer your bunny a nest box filled with straw to snuggle in. Be very cautious when using electrical devices such as heat lamps or nest box warmers. Since rabbits don’t really need help keeping warm, the fire hazard these appliances pose is seldom worth the benefits of using them.
However, the fur coat that is a bunny’s main asset in winter becomes a liability in summer. Rabbits are at risk of heat stroke in temperatures over 85* Fahrenheit, especially if the humidity is high. The most important things you can do for your bunny in summer are to keep it in the shade, make sure it has a fresh supply of water, and make sure there’s good airflow in its environment. Rabbits cool themselves by breathing, and can quickly succumb to heat stroke in an area with poor ventilation.
Remember the Neighbors!
Before starting, check your local zoning laws to make sure you can raise rabbits outdoors in your neighborhood. Even if you live in a country setting, it’s important to know your rights in case someone challenges you. Wherever you live, the community shouldn’t have much reason to complain about your bunnies. Rabbits are virtually silent animals that produce very little odor. If you keep the rabbitry tidy and remove waste promptly, you should have no trouble with your neighbors.
See Also our Article on: Raising Rabbits Indoors
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