what do ppl do in the winter for there rabbits?

So Ive never has the rabbits for a winter and before I got them they were all in a hut, now they just live in the garden and go in the huts when they please. What shall I do in the winter? I dont wanna be running about everynight and scaring them putting them in a locked hut till morning but im wondering will they be ok just being left to fend for them selves. The flemmings come into the house for a bit when they want as I leave the doors open constantly, but the big uns never come in the house at all they dont like to be picked up but they do come to me when Im outside as they know the rivita is on the go.

What do you recon?

Its completely up to you hun - so long as they have somewhere to go that is warm / dry and safe and they can snuggle up to each other I dont think it matters too much if it is winter or summer. Just provide them with some lovely warm bedding and plenty to eat and they should be fine.

The only thing to bare in mind that if they are indoor buns then you cant put them out in the winter as they will need to develop wintery coats.

I leave my rabbits outside for the winter although when it snowed i only let them have limited time in the run because they just sat in the snow and got really wet. I was worried they might get ill if i let them sit in it all day

they are all out door buns hun only bring the babys in for cuddles they have been out for the last 2 months so that should be plenty of time for winter shouldnt it? x

Yep - should be fine.

If you live in a cold windy place then you need to make sure that the rabbits have adequate protection from the elements. Normally they live underground where the temperature is constant. Are they shut in their hut at night normally? As you will prob need to do this in winter.

@jay, no hun they are never shut in, they just come and go as they please.
The only ones in a hutch is the babys as they are 6 and 8 weeks old xx

I would def make sure they have somewhere cozy to go.

Although they have 'fur coats' like Jay said, wild bunnies know when and where they need to go somewhere warm, so domesticated bunnies need somewhere to do the same.

When Thumper was younger, she used to love digging in the snow - for a whole 5 mins. Then it was yuk, get me out of this.

i was wondering about this too,my buns cage is outside so was wondering if they were going to be ok,glad to know it will be

It's nice to have them do as they please but perhaps they would benifit from a bit of a routine as autumn arrrives.
Loll is a houserabbit (though according to him he's not... I'm a hutch-human) but even in his lauded position as master of the house he enjoys a routine.
In the wild rabbits have a routine.
If you can't move the hutches into a shed perhaps you could do as I did... had extra cladding that can be attached to the hutches for the colder weather. Make sure the hutches are draught proof and put extra hay bedding in. Allow exercise during the warmest part of the day and maybe set up some wind breaks in the sunniest parts of the yard, older buns are less inclined to move out of draughts if there's sun on their fur. Get the buns used to a go out/go in time table. They will soon adapt and be happy, snug and safe from the elements during the winter.
Another point to concider: if you live in a "foxy" area remember that during winter they are more likely to show an interest in domestic stock owing to the scariety of wild food like young rabbits and birds. So do double check the security of your hutches.

Hutch-human

I agree with the routine comment, thumper is a stickler for her routine

didnt know rabbits like routine

fall3n-ang3l wrote:didnt know rabbits like routine

Buns really like routine.

Daisy loves it - and without his routine becomes very grumpy and sometimes even goes off his food.

Breakfast is at a set time, as is garden time, night time food and meds, it all follows the same pattern - he likes it that way bless him.

well i love routine,always had it with my kiddies,so will start with the bunnies then

Routine is something that aids a buns (or indeed any creatures) feeling of security. Even we advanced humans thrive best within a routine.

ahh well think I might start the routine once I get there patch started xx ty guys x