Rabbits Anyone?

[salmonberry]

Hi everyone. I'm new to this forum but was very excited to find it.
I live North of Willow in the Susitna Valley. Temps get down to
-30, but not much lower. I would like to keep my cages in an unheated lean-to type enclosure and am wondering if it will be too cold for them. Do they do alright in wire cages at these temps? I know about the water situation and can deal with that. Will they breed at these temps?

I sure hope someone out there can help me. People from Outside forums don't seem to get why I can't provide heat for my rabbits.

Thank You,

Salmonberry

[Kristianna]

Welcome to the forums, Salmonberry.

I am sorry I can't answer your question. I don't live in Alaska (yet!).

I hope you enjoy these forums. They get a little slow from time to time, but then they pick up again.

Welcome!

[salmonberry]

Thanks, Kristianna, for answering.

[smwon]

My parents kept rabbits in an unheated building. I don't recall how cold it got in Birchwood where we lived, I know it did get cold. Mother said sometimes the rabbits ears would get froze, but they survived. I have always thought that making an enclosure and adding haybales then adding the rabbits and letting them burrow into the hay would work really well to keep the critters safe and warm during the coldest of winters... hey if anyone does that let me know... this is what I plan to do someday...

Oh yes... and welcome!

[salmonberry]

I do have an aquaintance who "colonizes" her rabbits. She has an approx 30x30 fenced in area in which she puts straw bales. They do well in the summer and winter with this setup. Less cold issues.

I had thought about this method, but would like to have more control over who breeds with whom. I also have heard diseases can spread rather quickly with colonies.

I am really hoping the all wire cages will work, but I'm a little concerned about the very cold portion of winter.

Thanks, smwon, for your input.

Salmonberry

[Washkeeton]

I had one rabbit that stayed out side for 3 years. Depends on the breed. One you dont want any drafts cause they will die from that.
Two when I build my cages I will put wood that can be removed in the summers around the back, sides, and top leaving the bottom and front open. I had him in a cage on the ground with tarps around the dog kennel. While I was feeding him I would let him go to run around with the turkeys. They seemed to like him. If you are planning on the rex or mini rex breed their feet are really soft and will get sores quickly on the wire cages. You have to give them something to stand on. My rabbit would get a dish of water and after he drank it he would stand in the dish. He would not move most of the day especially durring the winter.

With the cold especially in winter up here i would be afraid to have rabbit babies unless they were some where heated cause it would seem to me they might freeze. No matter that they come into a warm area it only takes a few short min to freeze when they are wet and the last time I checked no birth was dry. Just a thought.

[salmonberry]

Hey Washkeeton,

Let me pick your brain, if I might (it won't hurt, I promise ;D).

First, I have heard a lot about not letting drafts in, and I understand that, but in the dead of winter I'm trying to figure out how to have proper ventilation without a draft. Any ideas?

My thought is a setup similar to what you suggest with a permanent top and back, but temporary sides. I also have seen a rolled up heavy canvas or tarp for the front of the cages. I think this will take care of the ventilation without drafts idea that we have been talking about. I have thought of insulation the back, sides and top with blue board, but I think that the front tarp will just let all the heat out anyway.

Second, whereabouts do you live in AK. I have heard of babies born in -35 temps that do alright in an insulated nest box with lots of straw and fur. I know that the risk of death is high

Third, I have been thinking of Satins. There pelt would be a bonus for me. Thanks for the heads-up about Rex's soft pads. Any idea about Satin's pads. What breeds have the toughest pads?

Any help would be appreciated.

Salmonberry

[Freeholdfarm]

I've had, and am getting again, Silver Foxes, because of their really nice pelts. They are also a good meat rabbit (were actually bred for meat production). So you might consider them, too.

We had a few rabbits when we were in Tok (NZW and Californians, if I recall correctly), and kept them in the little barn with the poultry and the goats. We didn't try to breed in the winter -- it's just too cold there. But they did fine.

Kathleen

[smwon]

I do have an acquaintance who "colonizes" her rabbits. She has an approx 30x30 fenced in area in which she puts straw bales. They do well in the summer and winter with this setup. Less cold issues.

I had thought about this method, but would like to have more control over who breeds with whom. I also have heard diseases can spread rather quickly with colonies.

I am really hoping the all wire cages will work, but I'm a little concerned about the very cold portion of winter.

I had those concerns also... I was thinking I would make a separate area in a building for each doe and a separate area for the buck just as if they were in separate cages... each area would be fenced from the next and hay bales would be snugly put in each pen leaving an open space for each rabbit for putting feed and water then let them burrow into the hay bales... the only problem I could see was catching the rabbits for butchering. But then I also figured they have to come out to drink and I could close the space off and catch them when they came out... I don't have it all figured out, but those are some of my ideas.

[Washkeeton]

Wow, I missed this thread totally. I will have to get back to you all about the cages and all. I am on my work week. I have some ideas.

Hey Salmonberry, I really am sorry I missed this. I really hope if not posting your still reading. I will try to answer this on my week off.

[smwon]

Ok Wash... I have been waiting! ;D I want to hear about your rabbit idea! Come on now...

[salmonberry]

WASHKEETON, are you out there? I drop by from time to time. Still very interested in raising rabbits. Maybe this spring if I can swing it. Would love to hear your ideas.

Salmonberry

[Washkeeton]

Ok Ok busted, I have been trying to get ready for winter here and totally forgot to get back to you all.

I am going to make a line of wire cages enclosed with in a wooden framework. I will have it so I can put a back and a top and sides that are removable on them cause of the winds here that can gust up to 80 + mph. The fronts will be open to air with a small area covered so they have an opening only where the door is vs the whole cage. should cut down on drafts. Will put in a dog kennel surrounded with tarps. Should keep them warm enough I think. Will be way down the road though cause I am still working with building my birds and breading stock. If I were in a place like Fairbanks I would put them in an enclosed shelter/shed but unheated cause that way they will still be able to grow awsome coats still.