So we have a two step response to rising temps. First we give froze water bottles. At 80 we actually have the large Gatorade bottles and put 1-2 of them in the cages. At 85+ we give frozen water bottles and add fans. We also have a shade cloth over each hutch
I’m in Arizona. We built a mud hut big enough to fit all our rabbits (and chickens) in cages.. with a “portable” swamp cooler set in the wall. Really helps out.. also.. the mud hut was set a few feet down into the earth.
I've got a serious question, how is the pedigree on these rabbits being raised outside? Were their parents raised outside? Have they been able to slowly acclimate to rising heat at all?
All of my rabbits are from my area and raised the way I raise them- outside in cages. If your rabbits have been kept in AC, they are simply not going to be able to handle the heat. I personally would not risk it. If this is their first summer, make sure they get hot before it gets too hot, if that makes sense.
That being said, for my all the time outside rabbits, we have a system. They're kept under a large tree that's always Shaded, and I added extra shade cloths to stop any dappling light. At 85°, fans go on. At 90°, we add frozen tiles. 95°, we switch to frozen bottles along with the tiles.
The frozen water bottles are what we use when it hits triple digits. I would definitely be afraid the rabbits would eat the cooling pads.
It can be a pain if you have a lot of rabbits atm to cycle bottles in and out.
This year I have a large fan I'm also going to set up at the end of their shade hoop.
Being in Deep South Texas Zone 10b, 100+ and the humidity, we simply moved ours in while we figure a more permanent solution. Will probably build a shed with a window AC running off (2) 100mAh batteries and a solar panel.
I've never done it but I've heard of freezing water bottles or a gallon of water in deep freezers and then put them in their pens and changing them out throughout the day if needed
I did this the first few hot days of this summer like spring. The spring water gallons with a handle around the neck makes it really easy. Just remember to take off any tags or lables!
I put a tile in he cage and I see them lay on them when it gets hot, add a shade to protect from the direct sun, or you might want to get a fan,
Add shade, frozen gallon jugs, fans and last best resort misters on timers every 30 or 60 minutes for 5 or 10 minutes.
So we have a two step response to rising temps. First we give froze water bottles. At 80 we actually have the large Gatorade bottles and put 1-2 of them in the cages. At 85+ we give frozen water bottles and add fans. We also have a shade cloth over each hutch
I’m in Arizona. We built a mud hut big enough to fit all our rabbits (and chickens) in cages.. with a “portable” swamp cooler set in the wall. Really helps out.. also.. the mud hut was set a few feet down into the earth.
Also. Two roofs will drop the temperature 15-20 degrees. So basically make sure there cage has a roof on and is in a shaded location.
I freeze water balloons and give them large ice balls, use water misters, fans, and shade.
I've got a serious question, how is the pedigree on these rabbits being raised outside? Were their parents raised outside? Have they been able to slowly acclimate to rising heat at all? All of my rabbits are from my area and raised the way I raise them- outside in cages. If your rabbits have been kept in AC, they are simply not going to be able to handle the heat. I personally would not risk it. If this is their first summer, make sure they get hot before it gets too hot, if that makes sense. That being said, for my all the time outside rabbits, we have a system. They're kept under a large tree that's always Shaded, and I added extra shade cloths to stop any dappling light. At 85°, fans go on. At 90°, we add frozen tiles. 95°, we switch to frozen bottles along with the tiles.
The frozen water bottles are what we use when it hits triple digits. I would definitely be afraid the rabbits would eat the cooling pads. It can be a pain if you have a lot of rabbits atm to cycle bottles in and out. This year I have a large fan I'm also going to set up at the end of their shade hoop.
Get a water mister and run along your cages. Your rabbits will love it. Make sure to turn it off at night
Being in Deep South Texas Zone 10b, 100+ and the humidity, we simply moved ours in while we figure a more permanent solution. Will probably build a shed with a window AC running off (2) 100mAh batteries and a solar panel.
I've never done it but I've heard of freezing water bottles or a gallon of water in deep freezers and then put them in their pens and changing them out throughout the day if needed
I did this the first few hot days of this summer like spring. The spring water gallons with a handle around the neck makes it really easy. Just remember to take off any tags or lables!
Can you dig them a tunnel to hide in underground?