Winterizing my rabbits & chickens - DIY clear plastic drop curtain
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- Опубліковано 23 лис 2020
- I live in Northeastern Indiana, and our winters can get pretty cold. Since I own rabbits and chickens that live outdoors, my mission as a responsible livestock owner is to make sure their living conditions are ready to face the falling temperatures, snow, and especially the windchill. In this video I’ll explain how I covered my rabbit hutches in plastic sheeting and created a DIY clear rolling drop curtain. I’ll also address the extra steps I took to ensure my chickens are ready for a comfortable and warm winter within their coop.
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Some people were very concerned that I added foam insulation in my chicken coop, and I get that! I wanted to see if the chickens would leave it alone since it was on the roof, and they didn't, of course 😂 I ended up stapling rabbit feed bags over the insulation and it has worked out beautifully! You can see that in the video where I add LED's to my chicken coop (link in description!)
Also, for the rabbit hutch curtains I found it very helpful to anchor it by drilling holes in the PVC and running the paracord through the holes. Hopefully this helps someone! It has done a great job keeping the rabbits out of the wind.
The whole set up in your back yard is really nice, Great job, it really shows what people should be doing now days.
I don't want to tell you what to do, but I would rethink that insulation. If they find it, the chickens will peck and eat Styrofoam. For the glue, next time pick up construction adhesive. Silicone doesn't have enough tack to hold things in place, as you saw. But really, foam in a coop is a bad idea, imo. Just make sure the coop has good ventilation and it should take care of the moisture problems. The biggest mistake people make in the winter is trying to seal the coop up to keep the chickens warm. Coops need to be draft free, but still maintain a good air circulation. I always say that a coop should not keep the chickens warm, it should allow the chickens to keep themselves warm by keeping them dry and out of the wind and weather (hope that makes sense). And a sealed up coop holds moisture which leads to frost bite and other issues. The rabbit cages look great. This is the first video of yours that we've watched so I'm sorry for sounding like a critic. Great work. We moved from Indiana and miss it.
Thank you! So far we haven’t had the problem of them pecking at it, though they free range our yard so that’s probably why. The main reason I added the insulation on the roof is because when they are on the top roost, their heads can touch the roof. I was worried that if we get an overnight freeze, their feathers or some part of their head would get frozen to the roof. So it was more about preventing that than anything!
@@TealStoneHomestead I wonder if you could staple some fabric, or even window screen or something to the ceiling of the coop to keep their heads off the metal. Just throwing out ideas.
@@diyfferent that’s a good idea!! Thank you!
Agree with above comment. My chickens eat styrofoam.
@@amykinnell2837 I’ll definitely keep an eye out for that! 😊
Baby buns are getting so big! As always, your ingenuity is inspiring :)
They are!! It’s about time to separate does and bucks. I’ve enjoyed them being all together though 😊
Looks like all the animals are gonna have a happy winter!
I sure hope so! 😊
So lucky to find you, followed!
Very nice bunny set up. 😊
I love the effort your putting forth some ideas better than other lol but I just found your channel and looking forward to more homesteading videos in the North
Thank you so much! ☺️ yes some ideas go well and others just do not cooperate with my plans 😂
@@TealStoneHomestead omg this is so true but at least your getting out there and DOING and learning from mistakes when most will watch the door but never open it!
I feel like you have been reading my MIND! We just had our first below 30 morning and I thought to myself "Welp, gotta winterize the rabbits this week."
Thank you for posting this video!
You’re welcome!! I hope it helps ☺️
I did tarps with a 1x2 for weight to drop down worked great for years ;)
Awesome! 😊
You did a great job winterizing your rabbits. When you were working on your chicken coop and you got all that glue in your hair, I actually thought it started snowing on you until you told us all it was glue! 🤣 I love watching Ronan and Aria playing in the background. 🥰
Thank you!! Yeah I was thinking about leaving out everything about the chicken coop but this is real life 😂 Ronan and Aria are always happy outside 🥰
@@TealStoneHomestead one reason why I love your videos so much is because you are AUTHENTIC!!❤️
Look at Joel Saltins : Rakken..he uses a hoop house to overwinter has rabbit and chickens and it creates compost. You could do a temp hoop house using cattle panels and plastic.. deep bed system. Less clean up.. more warmth.. and you would be protected from weather in the hoop house when feeding and what not ..thanks for all your videos!
Also, use bubble wrap as insulation
I want to do a hoop house someday! Possibly for meat chickens :)
Thanks for sharing! You inspire me!!
I like your video.. So... Cute rabbit.... Your speach is very lovely... I dont no english... Little little... Iam in a kerala.... ❤❤
I'm so glad I just found your channel! I live around your area and I also have silver fox rabbits! We got our first last year as a meat breeder and we just recently got a pedigreed trio. Your rabbit hutch curtain is just what my husband and I need, we've been trying to make one similar and this video helps, thank you! I found your channelwhile searching for videos about showing rabbits and the one you did on that is very helpful as well. Blessings and thanks for sharing❤
You inspire me, thank you!!!
Great job and awesome creativity!!! Keep up the good work
Its beautifull very nice and my favorite color thanks
Another great how to video. Glad I found your channel. Glad you are over the virus. many blessings.
You are amazing. Wonderfull idea.👍
I learned a lot and got an idea for my backyard rabbitry, i will support you❤️
I love your videos!
Thank you! ❤️😊
Well done👍👍👍
Love it thank for the idea 💡 😊
I use construction sand on the floor of the coop and run. It is a five minute clean up every day. I use a long handle child’s rake and sand shuffle and clean up first thing in the morning. If you wait the girls will Bury it.
I think it was a great idea.
Amazing
Brilliant!!!!!!!!
Haha just replied to your other comment! 😆😁
You're awsome, great ideas!
I just found your channel and immediately subscribed. I so appreciate how you show your thought process, what worked, what didn’t, and what you would’ve done differently. Love it! ❤️
Thank you so much!! ❤️ Gotta show the reality, I’m constantly learning 😊
they sell metal rods(they look like coat hangers, but small straight) for holding installation in place it has pointed ends to stick into the wood, they come in different lengths.
Sell the design to pet stores it's very practical👍
Super mam
I love your videos. I recently started my rabbitry. I have 8 rabbits total with a new litter of 6. You’ve given me some really good ideas to improve my hutches. I’m going to use your design as a foundation with some modifications. Thank you!
Thank you so much! 😊 I’m glad I’ve given you some good ideas! Good luck with your rabbitry ☺️
@@TealStoneHomestead thank you!
I made custom tarps for my hutch. Added grommets and 4" bungie ball cords.i wish I could add a picture. Grommets in the bottom corners of your roll down curtain would hold them in place
I have plans for a more permanent “tarp” situation hopefully this spring 😊 someone here in the comments mentioned drilling holes in my pvc pipe to hold it down and that has worked wonders! Grommets are also a great idea!
You can glue the plastic to the pvc later. I think it might hold on better than Duck Tape.
I think those bunnies are just the cutest!
P.S. I think your idea about plastic covering the rabbit hutch and the use of the crank is great! And, yay!, it works! Fantastic job!
Glue is a good idea!! I originally got the duck tape idea when I was trying to reinforce the edges of plastic sheeting last year. It ended up working beautifully. I’ll admit, even though this looks nice and neat I was in quite a hurry when creating it, so it’s one of those things I’ll probably end up redoing in the future. But so long as it doesn’t fall apart, it’s a success for this winter! 😊
@@TealStoneHomestead Exactly right. The idea of putting Duck down the vertical edges is great. It will add just a little weight and more rigidity, while protecting the edges from shredding or tearing. I think you're a dang smart cookie! 😁
New subscriber here! Your rabbitry is awesome, and your idea for making the pvc curtain is brilliant!
Thank you!
Soo butiful 💞💞
Thank you! 😊
I wouldn't worry about the Tin roof and your chickens touching it or getting stuck to it, I'd be more worry about them pecking at the foam and eating it which they will do, so will rabbits and foam is not good for either.
Also I wouldn't button their cages up to much as both animals need ventilation, the biggest thing to worry about is keeping them out of direct Cold wind and make sure they have plenty of dry bedding, and drinking water, and with Rabbits it is extremely important that they have food available to eat when it is freezing temperatures as this helps them to stay warm.
I live in Iowa myself and we been known to have the craziest weather here, It can be 70 degree's one day, and -20 degree's and a foot of snow the next, So I know how your weather there can be too. Your doing a great job, keep up the good work, and don't pay any attention to the negative comments that some people make,
Your proving super nice living quarters for your rabbits, and just by seeing them and their beauty and size, one can tell your feeding them properly.
Good Job! If your Still concerned about your Chickens staying warm enough? Hang a heat lamp in one corner of your coup to generate some heat. Be blessed! Steve
Thanks so much Steve! The front cover on the rabbit hutch has been wonderful for us so far! 😊
I did not add any foam to my rabbit hutch, and in my recent video I show how I stapled feed bags against the foam in my chicken coop. No worries on chickens eating it 😊 I am personally not a fan of heat lamps in the coop. I don’t think it’s a safe option.
I think everything turned out really cool :)
I did get a good laugh though when the insulation fell on your head lmao
I'm glad to make you laugh 😂 Some projects just don't want to cooperate!! lol
NOICE!!!
I loved the idea of how you winterized. I want to add rabbits to my backyard homesteading. What is a great meat rabbit to have.
Thank you! There are so many great breeds for meat. Of course I am partial to my silver foxes ❤️ there are New Zealand’s, Californians, champagne d’argents, Rex, and many more!
If you sew you may be able to make a pocket like a curtain for both the top and bottom.
Im from india like this video very much and was very use full for me ❤️
Love u siisy i will support u
Thank you! I’m glad it was useful for you 😊
Yeah 💯
Just an idea for if you ever want more bunny cages I use XL dog kennels for my bunnies in the winter we built a huge shed for them (my pets) but it works super well for winter in the summer I have huts for them but you can find some on FB or cregslist for around 25-30 dollars depending on how much you want to spend but they are awesome and come with a tray but if you don’t want the tray you can take it out and just have the wire bottom. 😊
That’s a great idea! 😊
Add eyelets in the middle and put some string horizontally to help hold everything down/still.
Edit: take some plywood and attach the insulation to that.
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Looks good! I thought, Oh No that caulk won’t work. Live and learn. Lol. Yes, expanding foam should work. It’s like duct tape, we keep both on hand. 😉
Yes!! 😆 I always seem to learn things the hard way. But I think I made at least a couple people laugh at my failure 😅
Before I added my roof I made a bed of hardware cloth on top I put a water heater insulation role that I had.then added the roof. In addition I insulated the top of the nest boxes with the same. I am not concerned about winter as I live in Fl. I used rubber carpet tiles in the bottom of the nest boxes. At one time I had a solar fan in each nest box, but they did not last even one summer. I elevated the floor of the coop 2 ft and wired around the floor and the width of the nest boxes giving them a 5 1/2ft. Dry and shady place to go. I used a Ryobi fan. On low the battery lasted all day. The girls loved it. Great rabbit build. I am considering rabbits, but only small pet verities. Enjoy. PS I am 78 and three years ago I did my first chicken house build. I had never used tools before, but with UA-cam I have 4 beautiful coops with runs. Thank you for you informative channel.
I enjoyed seeing the winterizing solutions you came up with - you've given me some good ideas. Have you considered using double-sided tape to secure the insulation panels to the roof?
Thank you Steve! Double-sided tape might have worked well! I did end up getting it to stick using great stuff thankfully 😊
Happy bun buns bunnies do you put any heaters in the coops and hutches.
Add three boards up under the insulation
Liquid nails the best to use
There are clips you can buy to hold the plastic. Or just cut a small piece of pvc and make a split in it and sand the edges smooth. If you round the corners off the will clip much easier
Yes I just learned about this recently!! Thanks! 😁
Hey there I was just curious if this actually lasted the season and what you'd do differently? I am thinking about doing this for my bunny hutches until I build a barn in the spring. I absolutely love your design and would appreciate any advice to make it even more amazing @Teal Stone Homestead
We have 4 kits left, and the kitten formula saved the life of one last night. It used to be so big and chunky. Now it's the smallest one. We have 4 kits left. 2 of the kits have full bellies, but I think they are filling themselves with water and pellets, but I'm not sure. I took in the 2 smallest ones and we'll feed them with kitten's milk. Hopfully, this works out.
I really hope it does!! It’s good they are drinking and eating pellets 😊
Looks great..
Have the chickens destroyed the insulation yet. Mine did. You might want to cover it completely somehow. Also add eyelets to the bottom pvc to hold the rope to the pvc.
Thanks! They did not destroy it, but I did cover it with feed bags stapled on the roof. I also have drilled holes in the PVC and that has helped tremendously! I’ll try to show that in my next video 😊
@@TealStoneHomestead I look forward to seeing that.
Thanks for your reply. The welfare recommendations apply to both in and out doors. I had a look at the ARBA site. Their space recommendations are very limited, I am struggling to see how you are exceeding these.
No worries 😊
@tealstonehomestead what can I give my rabbit .she has not been eating for 3days and am getting worried.
What is it that edging you have around the open door of your hutch cages . And where can I buy it?
🥰🥰🥰🥰👍👍👍👍👍
Thin strips of wood across would hold the insulation up.
do I need to add straw or a hide box in the winter for them ? they are in a tarp carport. we are in Ontario Canada
Looks great! How often do you have to shovel below the cages?
And when did you get snow??!?! I'm not much farther south than you and we haven't got a flake this year!
It’s so funny! My parents live only an hour away and they didn’t get it either! 😂 it all melted within a couple days.
I actually just went through today and shoveled a bunch a manure and hay onto my garden to act as mulch. Other than that, I take in front of the cages at least once a week to clear any hay waste.
i like the music for this video.Can you let us know who the artist is and song name?
I like the way you did the roll up sides. Mine are much more primitive. I roll it up from the bottom and tie it up with a piece of rope. Did you use green house plastic? It is more UV stable. Plastic from big box store will not last long because it is not UV stable. Have you considered shredded cardboard as litter? It is nice to be able to reuse amazon boxes. It also breaks down nicely in a compost or worm bin. Probably doesn't smell as good as wood chips, Amazon Basics 12 sheet micro shredder works for me. Shredded paper doesn't work well because it clumps and when it spills out a little, that white color sticks out and makes it look messy and I think you like a clean look.
Thank you! I used regular plastic sheeting. I’ll have to look for the greenhouse plastic 😊 I frequently use cardboard boxes for the rabbits, they love tearing them up and sometimes we even use them as disposable litter boxes!
Ho will you take the foam board off in the spring when you need the ventilation?
@@snapfreshfarm796 I probably won’t 😊 my coop has a ton of ventilation on the sides and still has the gap between the coop and the roof up top. Lots of air flow!
Someone may have already said this, but you can buy pvc greenhouse clips on Amazon that will clip your plastic to the pipe. They snap on and will allow you to eliminate the duct tape! They were a lifesaver for me! I like your projects... giving me some good ideas. Thanks!
@@petergrimes2794 OMG. I did not know that was a thing!!! Thank you!! I’ll be buying some for sure! 😁
Just curious, why are there no hutch boxes inside the rabbit cages, so they can snuggle down?
BTW, Weldbond glue will bond glass, foam, metal, etc. Good stuff.
Thank you. I am free feeding her now, but we lost another kit. I'm laying the rabbit down twice a day so the kits can eat. However, by the way the kits are acting while trying desperately to feed... looks like the mom is out of milk. I hope her milk can come back.... I'll find out tomorrow....I wonder if pet smart sells milk and bottles?
I’m so sorry you’re having such a hard time with them 😢 yes I think petsmart does, but baby rabbits are hard to bottle feed. If this is her first litter she might be having a hard time (I can’t remember if your last comment said it was her first or not).
I know this is a late question but do the bunnies do well in extreme cold with just the plastic? Next week we are supposed to get single digit weather in Ohio. Im pretty worried about my Bunnies.
This is two years late - how did the plastic sheeting hold up over the winter?
Wire for the floor did you use for your rabbit hutch and how big did you make them the size
My cages are the double-modular design from KW cages. They are 30x36 😊
I'm building a rabbit hutch similar to yours, how did you deal with the rain though? Worried about the feed and everything getting soaked.
Check out my winterizing video! I surrounded 3 sides with plastic sheeting and created a rolling drop-down curtain.
إشتراك و إعجاب من المملكة المغربية 🇲🇦 بالتوفيق
I have no idea about which would be the best way to glue the insulation to the metal roof (that sounds like something really hard to do, metal and foam don't get along so well, especially if the metal starts to for condensation...) but if I can give you an hint, I think you could drill holes at the end of those PVC poles (the ones for weight at the bottom) and run the ancor line through them and to the eyelets, so it would keep them in place, and you wouldn't have any kind of problem with the wind blowing the curtains around. I don't know if you got what I mean, I hope my explanation makes sense...
I finally got it with the foam! Gosh was that annoying 😂 my chickens did start pecking just a little bit at it (like many of the comments warned me about 😅) so I stapled feed bags over the foam for now. I’ll have to figure out something more permanent next year 😊
@@TealStoneHomestead Yeah, I've read those comments, chickens just peck t everything they can! XD Maybe you could screw some thin sheets of plywood over it. I know you said you don't like it much because it's heavy, but it could be an easy and cheap solution... and they wouldn't peck at it for sure XDD
@@coleichecura very true!!
Do you give the rabbits extra hay or bedding or anything else in the winter? I've seen some people give them nesting boxes to sleep in
We had a month of constant below freezing weather this winter. I lined every cage with cardboard and opted for more of a “deep litter” method. I’ve never done that with rabbits before, but it helped to keep them insulated during the freeze.
How did you attach the plastic to the back and sides?
I cut to size, reinforced the edges with duck tape, and used a staple gun! I find that the duck tape keeps the plastic from ripping where you staple it.
We used paint stir sticks stapled over the plastic to hold it in place. Cheap and sturdy.
did you say that your silver foxes or the champagne d'argent were better mothers? I remember you saying this in a past video I just cant find it. Im getting new rabbits soon. Thanks!
My silver foxes are amazing mothers! Love watching them interact with their kits :)
@@TealStoneHomestead thanks!!
I think it would've been easier to just lower the roost bar.
Hi I’m in WI. How did this hold up thru the winter for you? Now that spring has finally arrived I’m considering this as a build for my rabbits
Hey there! It held up beautifully! I’m doing a new video soon on spring cleaning the hutch 😊
@@TealStoneHomestead I’m thinking of using your idea but with angle iron rather than wood since it has become sooo expensive. Look forward to the cleaning video! Do you just scoop up the poop after a time from behind the hutch or do you have some sort of collection bin behind there?
Endless raking!! Lol. It has been composting underneath for the most part since fall. I don’t mind the work and my chickens really help to loosen it up 😊
Sorry this happens... you needed adhesives for sticking stuff like that glue with silicone won't super glue would melt the foam
Duck tape or wood strips
May i know the size of each cage...
Most of my cages are 30x36 😊
How much do you feed your nursing rabbits? We just lost 3 kits at a week and a 1/2 old. I was feeding her a full cup and Timothy grass. Could this be why we lost the kits? I did some research and found that we should keep her feeder full while she's nursing. I knew we should when the kits get old enough to eat the pellets. The pellet bag didn't say specifically how much we should be feeding her....:( The kits are already jumping out of the box trying to feed for the past 3 days. I hope mama feeds then well tonight.
Actually they will be 3 weeks on Monday.
Or I did let a kid hold one of our baby bunnies...do you think that would cause the mom to stop feeding them? Maybe a scent she doesn't know?
Hi Jessica! I don’t think it would have been a scent thing. I try to get my babies out every day until they’re at least two weeks old to count them.
I free feed all of my rabbits, especially moms, babies, and growouts. I don’t restrict anyone’s feed unless they have a tendency to overeat. My mommas usually eat 2-3 cups of pellets a day. Try free feeding her and see if that helps!
HOT GLUE for the insulation.
I know this is a very weird comment but your bunnies have such great names! any ideas for my rabbits. Im stuck lol
Thank you so much! ❤️ I don’t know what it is about naming, but I’ve always loved that aspect 😊 I try to stick with nature names, but I also like coffee-themed names (and baking-inspired names for my cremes). If I’m being honest, I tend to just look around myself and name the rabbits the first seasonal thing that pops in my head 😂 Coal and Hollyhock I got around Christmas last year. Sprig was born when there were sprigs of herbs coming up in my herb bed. Nitro was named when I became addicted to nitro cold brews at Starbucks 😂
@@TealStoneHomestead love it lol!
Hello
Can you guys send me
New Zealand white rabbits to Pakistan pls?
Screw the crank onto the PVC
Pls cargo me some these breed to Pakistan 🤝
Try the spray foam. It's sticky as hell.
The spray foam worked! 😊
Your mean there not enough room in there cages for them
Ita called a tarp. Dahhhhhh
2 years old video OK play new video OK
Screw it to the metal
Hello, I was wondering if you were aware of the rabbit welfare guidance. A pair of rabbits should have a minimum of 3m by 2m by 1m high. I understand your good intentions, I am a little concerned that keeping rabbits in such confined spaces to make money is being advocated on you tube.
Hello, yes I am aware of the guidelines for house rabbits. I follow (and exceed) the American Rabbit Breeder Association’s guidelines. These rabbits are used for meat for my family and are show animals. They are cared for greatly and get out of their cages often. I never mentioned anywhere that I am raising them “to make money.” I take pride in preserving healthy heritage rabbit breeds.
@@TealStoneHomestead Wow, with all due respect, the guidelines are very poor then if you exceed them. Just because the guidelines are there, doesn’t mean they should be followed. The care they are given is excellent but each rabbit should have at least a full row of those cages, not just one. American guidelines are often still so far behind the ones here in the UK, particularly for small animals.
@@leahheapp I’m sorry you don’t like it. please be aware that these rabbits are not pets, they are livestock. Having pet guidelines in place for meat animals would not make a lot of sense. They have plenty of room and are happy 😊
Dont keep ur rabbits outside especially in the cold they r meant to be inside
Rabbits are actually cold weather animals by nature. They adore the cold weather, especially 30-50 degrees. They actually have a much harder time in summer.
They prefer cold weather 🤦🏼♀️
@@NancyLamb-cu4yj doesnt mean they should be kept outside
Sorry but these cages r not good they r way to small and should never be wite bottom
gals,