Keeping Rabbits Warm in the Winter

In the wild, rabbits do not hibernate in the winter months. They are able to stay warm in the cold and even freezing temperatures with their thick coat. Bunnies are most comfortable in temperatures around 60 degrees. They are able to survive on a below zero night, but it definitely isn't comfortable. The longer they have to go with freezing temperatures, the more difficult it is for them.

Adult rabbits can handle the cooler temperatures much easier than baby rabbits can. Bunnies are born without hair and must stay in around 100 degree temperatures for the first ten days of his/her life. If you have baby bunnies, check them often to be sure they haven't crawled out of the nesting box. Often they are drinking milk from their Mother and then the Mother hops out with them still attached and they fall out of the nesting box. Babies will die very quickly if exposed to the elements and cold. It is usually best to bring the doe and babies in the house during the winter months.

You can place an electric pad underneath the nesting box, but beware of wires, bunnies will chew them, and it can often make them too warm or dry the babies out if not used with caution. It is all a delicate balance. Manufactures make heat lamps, but use those with caution as well. You will also want to be cautious of a fire starting with all the hay around.

Sometimes people try and place a sweater on a bunny, but, this doesn't work...bunnies will chew them into pieces.

KEEPING RABBITS WARM IN THE WINTER:

It is important to keep bunnies out of the elements. Their coats are not waterproof, so being in rain and then the rain freezing could be detrimental to a rabbit.
Placing the hutch against a house or barn so that it produces a wind block. You may also pack hay bales around the hutch to provide added insulation. Cover the hutch with plastic, a blanket, carpet, moving pad or look for panels designed for greenhouses to reduce the draft around the hutch. Turn the hutch so the front faces away from the wind. Be sure there is ventilation during the day and cover the majority of the hutch at night, but, do leave a small area open for ventilation at night as well. DIY hutch covers are helpful: http://www.therabbithouse.com/outdoor/rabbit-hutch-covers.asp
Make sure the sides of the hutch are covered so the sideways rain and snow cannot blow in
Giving the bunny extra hay for insulation or to burrow may be helpful or even give them a nesting box. Newspapers can be added to line the floors or walls. The straw will need to be changed out frequently because of soiling. Here is a site about insulating a rabbit hutch: http://www.therabbithouse.com/outdoor/insulating-rabbit-hutch.asp
Make any hutch repairs in the warmer months to be sure that the hutch will stay as warm as possible in the winter months. Look for any signs that water is getting in. Repair the roof, weather proof the siding
Add legs so the hutch is not sitting on the damp or snow-covered ground, you can also place cinder blocks or bricks underneath the hutch if you are not able to build legs
Manufactures make large mesh doors that can be partially covered with clear perspex to allow the rabbit to see out and the sun to come in, but it prevents the wind and rain from coming in.
Keep your rabbits in a shed, garage (if there are not cars in there emitting fumes), unfinished basement, or indoors
Use a greenhouse heater to keep the temperature above freezing
Place two bunnies together so they can cuddle and stay warm, but, be sure that they are already comfortable with one another before doing this.

NOTES:

Be sure to give rabbits daily exercise in the winter as well. Offer a warm sheltered area for them to run in. You can add a link to the hutch so they have room to run around, bring them indoors, in a barn, or unfinished basement to get a little exercise.
Often bunnies need more food during the winter months since they use more of their energy to heat up their body
Water bottles will need checked often to keep them from freezing. You can wrap a bottle with bubble wrap and an old sock or you can purchase insulators specifically made for water bottles. Plastic bottles can become brittle in the cold, so having extra bottles to switch out the frozen ones may be a good option as well.
If you use a crock, manufacturers make a heated water bowl option, Walmart and many other stores carry these.
Rabbits will have thick winter coats generally in the winter months, they will need brushed regularly so their fur does not become matted
The hutch and/or cage will still need to be cleaned regularly in the winter months in order to keep the bunny healthy
The rabbit will want attention and love in the winter months as well as during the summer months
Look for signs that the rabbit may be unhealthy around his or her eyes and nose