How much of an issue is the heat in the humid SE with rabbits? When I lived up north they would really spread out and pant on very hot summer days. Looking for advice on heat and humidity issues, as I would like to get back into raising a few rabbits but I dont want them dropping dead on me.
Provide shade and get white rabbits. A raccoon took the cover off one of our tractors this year and the dark bunny died of heat stroke. It was closed at the top so the raccoon couldn't get in.
Buy your stock from a local breeder with rabbits in similar conditions to what you expect to have. Have at least one frozen water bottle per rabbit for really bad days. Go to your local building supply store and get a ceramic tile per cage from their scrap tile section. My tiles stay in year round, for heat relief in summer and for getting off the wire otherwise. I have water bowls out in addition to bottles to make sure water is never an issue as well as making it less work for the bun when it is really hot.
Never heard of the tile idea, sounds good. They got pretty stressed with full ventilation in the shade, as far north as Ohio on the hottest summer days. I was afraid there was a good chance of loosing them with the heat in SC.
Just to touch on my earlier post.....i live in an area that is hot as hell and has high humidity. Been raising rabbits for several years now. Ive had zero problems. Keep em in the shade with natural ventilation, buy from a local breeder and keep their water supply full and you should have success. Don't overthink it. Follow those basic principles and you will have no heat issues.
I live on the east coast of SC and I have raised Many---provide ""shade"" and water and never had a problem. I do not use tiles or frozen water bottles. Main thing is shade----my whole rabbitery is like a open sided building that is under shade tree's all day. I have heard of "some" having a tin top pen in the direct sun----tin only a foot or two above the rabbits-----the dead rabbits on a 100 degree day----that's not going to work in the summer time. I do close the sides and move my rabbitery out in the open during the Winter to help keep them a little warmer. That only takes about 5 minutes.
I live in Texas and it's always 60% humidity I raise mine in my barn out of sun and no issues with predators or nosey people . I have shop fans to move air and tiles and do water bottles from time to time I'd like a better way but don't know of any.
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