The leaves are turning golden, the mornings carry that sharp bite of autumn air, and every weather forecast seems to whisper the same inevitable truth: winter is coming. Here in Estonia, that’s not just a dramatic statement—it’s a call to action for every farm animal owner.
Racing Against the Season
With snow potentially just weeks away, we’ve been working hard to get all our animals properly situated for the long, cold months ahead. Today marked a major milestone in our winter preparations: our rabbits got their new indoor accommodations.
There’s something both satisfying and slightly stressful about these seasonal transitions. Satisfying because you’re providing better care and comfort for your animals. Stressful because you’re always wondering if you’re doing enough, if you’ve thought of everything, if that one cold snap will catch you unprepared.
From Outdoor Hutches to Indoor Comfort
Our rabbits have been enjoying the mild autumn weather in their outdoor hutches, but Estonian winters don’t mess around. Temperatures that drop well below freezing, howling winds, and snow that can pile up for months—that’s no environment for rabbits, no matter how fluffy their coats might be.
The transition to indoor housing isn’t just about moving them inside; it’s about creating the right environment. Proper ventilation without drafts, adequate space for each rabbit to move around, easy access for daily feeding and cleaning, and positioning that takes advantage of whatever natural light we can capture during the short winter days.
More Than Just Shelter
These new cages represent more than just winter housing—they’re an investment in our rabbits’ health and our own peace of mind. When the snow starts flying and the wind starts howling, I won’t have to worry about whether the rabbits are warm enough, dry enough, or comfortable enough.
There’s also the practical side of winter animal care. When it’s -20°C outside and you need to check on your animals, feed them, and clean their enclosures, having them indoors makes the difference between a quick, manageable chore and a miserable ordeal that you might be tempted to postpone.
The Calm Before the Storm
Right now, in these last warm days of autumn, there’s a sense of accomplishment in having this major task completed. The rabbits are settling into their new digs, exploring their upgraded accommodations, and probably unaware that they’re now protected from the harsh reality of an Estonian winter.
The barn feels more alive with their presence too. There’s something comforting about the soft sounds of rabbits moving around, the gentle munching of hay, and the occasional thump of a rabbit rearranging their bedding. It makes the long winter days ahead seem a little less isolating.
Ready for Whatever Comes
Winter preparation on a farm is never really finished—there’s always something else that could be winterized, secured, or improved. But with the rabbit housing sorted, we can cross one major item off the list and focus on the next challenges: ensuring adequate feed supplies, preparing water systems for freezing temperatures, and getting the rest of our animals ready for the cold months ahead.
How do you prepare your farm animals for winter? Share your cold-weather housing solutions and winter prep tips in the comments below!
What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to winter animal care? We’d love to hear from other cold-climate farmers!