Rabbits without a burrow don’t have all they need for thermoregulation. Burrows are relatively warm compared to outside in winter and relatively cool in summer.
Unfortunately a work colleague lost her Guinea pigs to sunstroke this week. So it is worth remembering.
Our bunnies have a great home for winter. We set it up so the back half has perspex over all the mesh and roof and the front half is open with the option on v wintry days to put down a thick plastic cover over all the front. There is a solid roof. It is nice and snuggly in winter. We always cover the slab floor with shavings as well as the hutch as you can clean much better. The run is an aviary and the size is what the RSPCA recommends. Best of all though for the summer is that it is shaded for most of the day.
We have asmall run on the lawn too which they go in early eve to nibble grass. Not quite big enough for 3 but they don’t spend all day and night in it. It has a shaded area too.
In the summer we use cold water, make sure we have at least 2 water bottles changed daily. Drape damp cloths on mesh to make a cool zone. We are scrupulous with cleaning cage as well to minimise risk of fly strike.
Think of your furry pets in this ht weather.
I do think an avery is an excellent idea for bunnies, far easier to get in with them and spend some quality time! It made me giggle the other day when our bunnies escaped their hutch, Fudge opted to hide behind the greenhouse and trim all the weeds there for me whilst Flopsy charged round the garden like a loon for a while, came back into the cage for a drink, bounced out again and terrorised the cat for a while, bobbing into the house to say hello, looked at the stairs and decided they looking too much like hard work, went back in for more to drink and a little snooze…. I do love our bunnies