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A tarp that is stretched
a foot or two above the rabbitry roof helps keep the shed cool.
The sun beats down on the tarp
instead of the rabbitry roof. Heat dissipates between the space between
the tarp and roof instead of heating the rabbitry.
You can go to the dollar store and buy the silver foil sheets to
reflect the
sun from your car dashboard. These will reflect the sun and heat from the
rabbitry roof and/or the wall of the rabbitry which gets the most
afternoon sun.
Make sure your rabbits have protection from sun while they are indoors
as well. Windows can allow the sun to shine through it at different
times of the day and onto your rabbit.
The sun through the window may only effect a single cage during high
noon.
The rabbit may not be able to get out of the sun because it's cage
doesn't allow it. This applies to basement windows as well. So when you
go out in the evening when the sun is facing elsewhere to find a rabbit
suffering from heat exhaustion and you have no idea what is wrong with
it.
Cotton Curtains over your rabbitry windows will filter the direct sun
light and reflect the heat somewhat.
You can put slate, granite, marble or ceramic tiles in the cages for the
rabbits to lay on, it will help
them stay cool.
Many breeders invest in an air conditioner with thermostat and set the
temp to 75
degrees. It only comes on if it's hot. They're around $150.00 to
$200.00.
Some breeders use what's called a Swamp cooler. It is a fan system that uses water to dampen and cool the air.
They are very inexpensive to use and are general inexpensive to buy. They now
come in a more portable version that doesn't require installation.
http://www.haveacoolday.com/portable_evap.htm
Ice cubes in the water dishes.
Some breeders freeze water bottles
and put them in the cages on hot days.
On hot days at the shows I would fill the carrier trays with ice cubes
and put a towel over the carriers. Even better was putting ice cubes in
freezer bags and putting them on top of the carriers with a towel over it. The
warm air cools and is trapped in the carrier by the towel. The rabbits
are really comfortable. The only problem is the ice melts quickly and I
used puppy pads under the freezer bags to absorb any water dripping from
condensation.
You can buy cage fans that run on batteries from
e-bay or dog groomer/ dog shows suppliers.
Bringing electric fans aren't practical since most breeders need the electrical
outlets for dog blowers or fans for the show tables.
I've been to some shows were it's so hot the fans don't offer much
relief.
The Ice cubes have probably saved my rabbits from heat exhaustion more
than once.
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