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When it's too Hot:
You need to cool down a hot bunny. Heat is deadly to rabbits and when the temperature creeps up into the 80s or more, heat stress becomes a real concern. Overweight rabbits seem more susceptible to heat stress-a good motivation to trim Bun down before the hottest months of summer.
Freeze water in one or two liter-size soda bottles and keep in the cage as a giant ice cube for bunny to lean against. Keep a couple of bottles rotating in the freezer.
Dampen a towel and drape it over one end of the cage with a fan blowing gently on it, enough for good air circulation but not so it's drafty.
Gently mist rabbits' ears and fur with clean water.
Place a square or two of ceramic tile or marble in the cage. It will remain cooler than the air temperature and will be a cool place for Bun to rest.
Always have plenty of fresh drinking water available.
If your rabbit spends time outdoors, be sure to provide shade and keep him out of the direct sun in the hottest times of day.
If your rabbit becomes exposed to too much heat, seems listless, is not eating or acting normally, get him to a veterinarian immediately. Do not wait!
When it's too Cold:
Cold Weather tips
These are tips that I have either used or have heard others use that have helped their rabbits stay comfortable
Line the bottoms of your nestboxes with artificial sheepskin--it gives them something warm to lay on and also the fuzz keeps them above small amounts of fluids
Check your nestboxes twice a day for any wetness, a cold and wet bunny will not last long
Provide straw for your rabbit to burrow into
Provide your rabbit with water 2-3 times a day, I use water bottles and bring the bottles in-put them in hot water in the sink, and in about 5 minutes the ice has melted.
If you use wire hutches, consider putting a piece of sheetrock or paneling to provide some protection from the wind.
Most of the wind blows in from the North here, so if you have outdoor hutches, face them to the south.
You may want to get some heavy weatherproofing plastic, and make a mini greenhouse for the winter.
Sometimes, we get a "livestock advisory," meaning that you need to provide extra protection from the wind and cold, consider moving your rabbits to your basement, garage, or other protected place even if it means moving them to their show carriers overnight in your bathroom!This year I moved all the rabbits into our unheated basement, and it worked out well. Although the last month or so there was a ventilation problem, that caused runny eyes--so keep the air moving all the time if you do this.
I give my rabbits warm water whenever the temperature is below 50 degrees. The rabbits seem to really appreciate it.
Give your rabbits a few extra oats or calf manna on cold days/nights, it will create a little extra "heat" for the rabbit.
Also, I have lost every bunny to the cold, so I just started bringing the nestboxes in the house and taking it out once a day so the doe will feed them. This worked very well when I tried it last month. When they were about 2 weeks old, I started leaving them out a few hours more each day, until they were out with mom all day and all night.
putting 4-5 drops of glycerin in a 32 oz. water bottle will prevent the bottles from freezing
Even though rabbits are covered with fur, they do feel the cold, too. A rabbit can't tolerate prolonged exposure to cold (below 50F or 10C), or damp conditions. Prolonged exposure to wet conditions or freezing temperatures may cause the rabbit to become ill.
