
Beating the Chill-Winter Tips for Rabbits, Bees & Bucks
Winter is Here—Let’s Stay Prepared Together!
January brings biting cold temperatures, but with the right preparation, we can keep our rabbits, bees, and hunting plans thriving. In this post, I’ll share tips for managing outdoor rabbit hutches, winter apiary maintenance, and post-season deer scouting. Let’s tackle these cold days head-on while staying productive and ready for the seasons ahead!
Rabbitry Winter Tips
At The Rabbitry Center, we’re all about keeping our rabbits cozy and healthy during the winter months. Here’s how we do it:
Wind Blocks: We’ve installed 6-mil plastic around our hutches to shield the rabbits from frigid winds. To prevent tearing, we use 1/4″ plywood strips along with 1/2″ staples for extra durability. This small step goes a long way in maintaining a warm and secure environment for the rabbits. VIDEO TUTORIAL
Water Management: Frozen water bowls are a daily challenge. We keep a 2-gallon bucket of warm water next to a 5-gallon bucket we
use to carry rabbit water. By dipping frozen bowls in the warm bucket, we can pop the ice out instantly, saving time and hassle. VIDEO TUTORIAL
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Feeding Adjustments: During the winter, we offer each rabbit up to 1 cup of pellets daily if they’re eating it all. The extra calories help them maintain their body heat.
Winter Kindling: Typical nesting boxes can be risky in Michigan winters. Instead, we use totes to keep kits warm and prevent them from being pulled onto the wire. Wrapping the runs creates a greenhouse effect, keeping snow and drafts out of the kindling totes. VIDEO TUTORIAL
Other Rabbitry Chores:
Check hutches and
runs for drafts or repairs.
Clean totes / Repair nest boxes.
Inspect feeders and water systems to ensure they’re functioning correctly.
When the chores are done, cold January days are perfect for preparing rabbit meals. Recently, I shared a video on deboning rabbit legs for easy cooking—perfect for hearty winter recipes. VIDEO TUTORIAL
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Beekeeping in Winter
January is a time of rest for the hives but maintenance for the beekeeper. Here’s how we stay on top of things:
Wax Moth
Prevention: Wax moths love dark, sealed boxes. By keeping our equipment aired out and open, we avoid infestations. This simple practice saves us from the messy and destructive aftermath of wax moth larvae.
Frame Cleaning: Moldy frames? No problem. We soak them overnight in a 10:1 bleach solution using 5-gallon buckets. In the morning, we flip the frames to submerge the other half, leaving them clean, white, and ready for spring.
Maintenance Tasks:
January is the perfect time to repaint boxes, repair frames, and organize equipment. This ensures everything is in top shape for when the bees are active again. VIDEO TUTORIAL
Inspect stored equipment for signs of mice or moisture damage.
Read bee books & make crafts Candle Video / Chapstick Video
Review hive notes from last season to identify areas for improvement. Consider expanding the apiary.
Post-Season Deer Scouting
With deer season behind us, now is the time to start planning for next year. January marks the beginning of scouting and habitat improvement projects.
Scouting: Post-season scouting on public land is invaluable. Snow reveals deer trails, travel routes, and bedding areas, offering insight into seasonal patterns. The earlier you scout, the more accurate your observations will be for the next season.
Habitat Projects:
If you’ve tagged out early, use this time to enhance your hunting property. Projects like hinge cutting trees, feathering edges, and creating thick brush lines improve deer bedding and browsing opportunities.
Shed Hunting Strategy: VIDEO While some hunters combine scouting with shed hunting, I’ve found immediate post-season scouting yields better results. Shed hunting can wait until later in the season when antlers are more likely to drop.
This is also the perfect time to enjoy the fruits of your hunt. Plan dinners with friends and family and try out this simple venison meal to warm up those winter Sundays. Easy Crockpot recipe VIDEO
Videos & Links to Help You Stay Prepared
How to Debone Rabbit for Easy Cooking
Winter Rabbitry Wind Block Installation
Post-Season Scouting Tips
Winter Chores- Cleaning Up Hives & Frames