Hey guys!

Hi guys Long time no speak!! How are you all and the bunnies? I hope you're doing well.

I'm sorry I've not been around for such a long time. My life is so hectic now!! College days are long and hard work but I'm really enjoying it, although I'm finding by the time I've got back, sorted the animals and fed myself, I barely have time for a shower and cramming in any extra work before it's time for bed! I've then got nannying on my "days off" - not really a day off But I'm really happy at the moment with the way things are going, I just wish I had more time.

The buns are absolutely loving life outside and the shed is so convenient for me at the moment with my shortage of time. We've now moved the run behind the shed and they access it through the tunnel still. I had so little space when it was in the front and I ended up tripping over one night in the dark and landing right on the concrete, followed by an evening spent in A&E with a suspected broken wrist (luckily it was soft tissue damage only!). Willow's settled into "life enclosed" much better than I thought and Mojo is a different bun since being outdoors. I think he really appreciates the peace and quiet of the garden as our house can get quite busy, and he'll quite happily have nose rubs and cuddles now. It makes me so happy. They both get free range time daily whilst I'm sorting them out and they binky around the garden like mad things (Mojo never used to binky!).

As always, I'm also after some advice from you fab hoppers  

For those of you with outdoor buns, any tips for the winter? I'm worrying like mad already and it's nowhere near "cold" yet! They'll be shut into the shed at night with all gaps for wind etc to get through closed off, and then I'm going to put an old four foot hutch in the shed, take off the door to the living area but leave them with the snuggy and enclosed "bedroom" bit to snuggle up in. I'll pile that with straw and put a snugglesafe in there for them. The whole shed is bedded with straw at the moment and it seems to be keeping them snug, but I want a warmer place for them to go when it starts to get really bitter. Any other advise?

If temps drop crazily, is it cruel to bring them in? I've got a room for them in this situation but I'm worried about them overheating in the house with their winter coats. Is it kinder to leave them out, even if it's really bad? Talking of coats...

Mojo's coat has made a miraculous turnaround! Since he moved outdoors it no longer grows nor matts up. It's thick but tangle free. I can only think that it being "weathered" stops it getting out of control... Weird, but much appreciated on my part, and his I think!

I'm so sorry I've got no pics to post guys, the nights are drawing in now and by the time I'm home from college/work it's too dark for photos. They're still as gorgeous as ever though!

Miss you all so much xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Fluffslave I have missed you so much and often think about you  

Tuckerbunnies wrote:Fluffslave I have missed you so much and often think about you  

Likewise Maysie. I miss you hoppers so much but I've just no time to get on the forum anymore Weeks are busy busy busy and at the weekends I try to see my friends and boyfriend.

How are you and Mike? xx

FluffSlave wrote:

Tuckerbunnies wrote:Fluffslave I have missed you so much and often think about you  

Likewise Maysie. I miss you hoppers so much but I've just no time to get on the forum anymore :(Weeks are busy busy busy and at the weekends I try to see my friends and boyfriend.

How are you and Mike? xx

We are not to bad keeping busy  

You must come back now and then when you can and let us know how you are   

I'm glad

I will try to. I miss you all so very much. No one else can give me my "crazy bunny talk fix" like the hoppers!

yay I missed you welcome back  

fiver wrote:yay I missed you welcome back  

I'm not really "back", Rob I just don't have the time.

I'm just popping in to see how you all are and let you know how we are. I don't want to dissapear forever and will try my best to check in from time to time.

How are you and the buns?

ohhh    
buns = great and nuts plus got a fifi now
me = awful at mo

I'm glad your buns are well, I hope you feel better soon

       glad you pooped on to say hello. Missed you.

Hello and welcome back.

The rwaf have a good winter care guide on their website. I memory serves me there is a link to the guide on their homepage.

The problem with bringing them in in the winter is that the change from outside temp to centrally heated indoors can cause more problems than it solves.

Good to see you, Jess, if only briefly  

Humum says not to worry too much about the buns outdoors - if they have somewhere dry and draught-free then the arrangements you have already made will be more than adequate. With our lot, the difference in summer coats to winter coats, especially in the lionheads, is quite astonishing - you can lose a whole hand in the depth of a winter coat. They then struggle to keep cool when we get the odd mild day  

Sparky says - you could try fattening them up with extra treats, though

Nice to see you again sweets, glad you and the little ones are well.

Hugs

JO xx

Hey! Lovely to hear from you

Hey there!

Lovely to hear from you xxx

Don't worry about the winter as Sparky says.  All my buns have lived outside and have endured temperatures as low as -18.  Rabbits can cope with cold as long as they have plenty of time to get acclimatised and develop a thick winter coat.   What they need is a dry, draught-free place.  It is damp that they find hard to deal with.

I tend to fill the hutch with as lots of hay and you can put a cardboard box into the sleeping area and then fill the space around the box and the hutch with hay so it acts as extra insulation.  If the box has no floor then you can pop it over a litter tray as usual

I prepare my buns for winter by upping their food so they put on a little extra weight and then cut back in the Spring. 

The thing about taking them into the house is that they will find it very warm to begin with and will moult their winter coat.  Then they need to stay indoors. 

Hoping this helps.

It is wonderful to see you! I'm glad you checked in. I'm so happy you are happy!  Sounds like you have a very full life now. Best wishes!