Keeping rabbit cage warm?

[Back to Nature]

http://centralmich.craigslist.org/grd/3566510286.html

NOBODY BUY IT! It's mine. ^^ Anyways, I'm gonna buy this hutch for my rabbit. I want to put a bin under it to catch feces. If I added some red wriggler worms, the used bedding (newspaper) from the box, and the old hay, basically making a compost bin, would the heat generated from composting warm the cage at all in the winter? If not I'm still doing the bin, I'd just empty it more often.

 

[DianeS]

In theory, yes. A proper compost pile does generate heat, and heat does rise.

However, in actuality, a small compost pile like you describe would not produce much heat. In my 5' x 5' x 3' compost pile I can feel the heat inside it, but not with my hand a foot above it. So I don't know how much I would feel if there were a rabbit hutch above it. Would it "catch" and hold enough heat to make it worth it? I don't know.

Worth trying, though. You could install a thermometer in the hutch and take readings, and let us know how it works!

 

[Back to Nature]

Well, I will try. If it doesn't work, at least I don't have to carry the feces far.

 

[Bunnylady]

I agree, I don't think you'd get significant amounts of heat from it. However, the urine from the rabbits combined with the feces will produce a certain amount of ammonia gas. If you don't provide excellent air circulation, it could build up and cause respiratory problems for your rabbit. IMO, emptying the bin more frequently and composting the stuff away from the rabbit sounds like the better idea.

 

[Back to Nature]

I agree, I don't think you'd get significant amounts of heat from it. However, the urine from the rabbits combined with the feces will produce a certain amount of ammonia gas. If you don't provide excellent air circulation, it could build up and cause respiratory problems for your rabbit. IMO, emptying the bin more frequently and composting the stuff away from the rabbit sounds like the better idea.

Did you look at the cage? The whole thing is wire, except for the closed off hutch. Circulation would be amazing. However, since it doesn't sound like it'd get much warmth, I'll move it anyways, just in case.

 

[Bunnylady]

I agree, I don't think you'd get significant amounts of heat from it. However, the urine from the rabbits combined with the feces will produce a certain amount of ammonia gas. If you don't provide excellent air circulation, it could build up and cause respiratory problems for your rabbit. IMO, emptying the bin more frequently and composting the stuff away from the rabbit sounds like the better idea.

Did you look at the cage? The whole thing is wire, except for the closed off hutch. Circulation would be amazing. However, since it doesn't sound like it'd get much warmth, I'll move it anyways, just in case.

People usually site cages like this one in places that provide a certain amount of protection from wind, etc. during inclement weather. Some people will throw a tarp over them, because while rabbits have great insulation, they need to be protected from drafts (you'll be getting water/snow in the food dish too - trust me, I know this from experience with that type of feeder). Clearly, that cuts down on the air circulation.

 

[Back to Nature]

I agree, I don't think you'd get significant amounts of heat from it. However, the urine from the rabbits combined with the feces will produce a certain amount of ammonia gas. If you don't provide excellent air circulation, it could build up and cause respiratory problems for your rabbit. IMO, emptying the bin more frequently and composting the stuff away from the rabbit sounds like the better idea.

Did you look at the cage? The whole thing is wire, except for the closed off hutch. Circulation would be amazing. However, since it doesn't sound like it'd get much warmth, I'll move it anyways, just in case.

People usually site cages like this one in places that provide a certain amount of protection from wind, etc. during inclement weather. Some people will throw a tarp over them, because while rabbits have great insulation, they need to be protected from drafts (you'll be getting water/snow in the food dish too - trust me, I know this from experience with that type of feeder). Clearly, that cuts down on the air circulation.

Ahh... Didn't think about that. Well, I'm not sure where to put it yet. I was thinking either my bf's sunroom or his yard (I'm about to go to college).

 

[DianeS]

Ahh... Didn't think about that. Well, I'm not sure where to put it yet. I was thinking either my bf's sunroom or his yard (I'm about to go to college).

Yard, definitely the yard. Rabbits handle cold a heck of a lot better than they handle heat. I'd never put one in a room designed to collect heat.

 

[Bossroo]

http://centralmich.craigslist.org/grd/3566510286.html

NOBODY BUY IT! It's mine. ^^ Anyways, I'm gonna buy this hutch for my rabbit. I want to put a bin under it to catch feces. If I added some red wriggler worms, the used bedding (newspaper) from the box, and the old hay, basically making a compost bin, would the heat generated from composting warm the cage at all in the winter? If not I'm still doing the bin, I'd just empty it more often.

I, for one , wouldn't buy it ... I woldn't even take it if it was free ! (I raised hundred of rabbits in all wire cages, so figure out why )

 

[Back to Nature]

I, for one , wouldn't buy it ... I woldn't even take it if it was free !

Why? Experience? I've never done it, so I'm not sure why.

Like I've said, I'm about to go to college, and my bf is caring for my three pets. I want it to be as easy as possible, and dumping a bin every now and then and scooping out that little box looks easier than cleaning the entire "pet" cage we currently have with a solid plastic floor.