Hi I have 2 mini rex bunnies and was wondering how cold hardy they are. This is our first winter ( michigan) and they will be in the garden shed/chicken coop. Do they need a heat lamp or will they be ok ..
Rabbits tolerate cold much better than heat. Just make sure they re in a draft free area, and they will be fine,
Give them a big mound of straw in the shed so they can burrow in when they feel cold. They will love it! when I do this for my bun he burrows in right away and starts making it the way he wants it. And make sure they have a draft free area. Also you will have to keep up on the water. It freezes Very Fast (I'm in Wisconsin) when it is below zero, I was changing the water several times a day. I use Stainless steel Bowls for water in winter much easier than trying to thaw a water bottle.
Both reccomendations nailed it, plus it wouldn't seem this way but, rabbits need to drink more water in the winter so don't let their water freeze up.
Provide a dry, draft free coop plus a sleeping box or solid floor covered with hay for bedding, and they will be fne. They may urinate and defecate in the bedding so change it frequently. Rabbits are far more cold hardy than they are heat resistant.
