Bunnies in winter

Poppycorn123 · 2026-08-03T15:33:09+00:00

We got two buns a few weeks ago. They have been out in their run in the garden during the day (with sun shield) & back in the house at night. But they are so messy even though we have a litter tray! The poo, hay & straw.goes everywhere and Im constantly cleaning so it is really only a temporary solution. I'm wondering where other bunnies go in the winter time? Do you bring them in for the whole winter period or do they stay outside in a hutch?

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 03/08/2026 16:42

Mine were always house-bunnies. They had a rabbitat in the garden fenced off with a low fence and a large cage to sleep in at night.

I’m not a fan of outdoor hutches.

Sleepytimepleaseee · 03/08/2026 20:31

Rabbits are more cold tolerant than heat tolerant - anything over about 18C and they can struggle. Be aware as well that you don't want to bring them inside in winter to play and then sling them back out again to a cold environment. Mine had a huge hutch in a fenced off section of the garden - open access to that part of the garden in the day and then hutch closed at night with plenty of bedding and extra insulation on the roof.

Stormydog · 03/08/2026 20:37

Ours had secure run/hutch with enclosed bedroom area and plenty of straw. If it was mostly wet waterproof cover and lifted during day. If they’re living outside they’ll develop nice thick coats to keep them warm. Keep their bedding clean and fill bedding area and they’ll snuggle in and stay warm

Huskysledging · 03/08/2026 20:42

Rabbit And Guinea pigs need to be taken indoors if the temperature drops below 10 for a rabbit (they can go lower but I would bring in at 10) and guinea pigs from about 15 degrees or lower. Both are best like 15-24 degrees.

My friend (childhood) left her rabbit out one night and I was absolutely distraught when I discovered she has left it out a night (I was about 7) and it had frozen and died so I’m very cautious. We have an indoor hutch in the garage so they come in at night and then transferred to house normally by end of September at the latest.

TeenLifeMum · 03/08/2026 20:43

We bring ours in when it gets very cold. They have a big chicken coop, are free in the garden in the day then shut in at night but in the winter they have a Kavee cage so the base catches the mess and hay in a hay feeding thing.

Original poster

Poppycorn123 · 03/08/2026 22:25

Thanks all. I will definitely bring them in when it gets very cold. Also we have an outhouse which we will probably keep them in during the rainy autumn/ winter weather (in their hutch)
On rainy & windy days would you still let them out in their run? I would hate the thought of them being stuck inside for a few days but maybe they wouldn't like being out in that weather either. Perhaps we could just bring them inside the house to stretch their legs for a few hours.

OP posts:

Sleepytimepleaseee · 03/08/2026 22:27

Poppycorn123 · 03/08/2026 22:25

Thanks all. I will definitely bring them in when it gets very cold. Also we have an outhouse which we will probably keep them in during the rainy autumn/ winter weather (in their hutch)
On rainy & windy days would you still let them out in their run? I would hate the thought of them being stuck inside for a few days but maybe they wouldn't like being out in that weather either. Perhaps we could just bring them inside the house to stretch their legs for a few hours.

Yep, but for mine the massive hutch was inside the run so I would open the external door of the hutch and they could choose to hop out or stay further inside the hutch in the totally enclosed sleeping room. I wouldn't put them out if they didn't have decent shelter.

Meteorite87 · 03/08/2026 23:19

Poppycorn123 · 03/08/2026 22:25

Thanks all. I will definitely bring them in when it gets very cold. Also we have an outhouse which we will probably keep them in during the rainy autumn/ winter weather (in their hutch)
On rainy & windy days would you still let them out in their run? I would hate the thought of them being stuck inside for a few days but maybe they wouldn't like being out in that weather either. Perhaps we could just bring them inside the house to stretch their legs for a few hours.

See what their response is to windy weather - does the air movement or noise bother them for example.

It's not healthy for rabbits to get drenched. A couple of days safely dry and warm if a bit bored is still better than a rabbit being rained on.

If you could bring them indoors they might like exploring a new space. Do "bunny proof" where you can. Even if litter training is not going smoothly, set up a litter tray if you bring your bunnies indoors.