July is one of the toughest months for raising rabbits, even in Michigan. Between rising heat, summer pests, and low fertility, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But with the right strategies and breed choices, you can keep your rabbits healthy, and keep yourself sane, too.
Whether you’re running a full rabbitry or just raising a few backyard buns, here are my best summer tips after years of working through these hot and humid months.
👉 Click here to get all 10 summer rabbitry tips and listen to our podcast episode on this topic!
🌞 Beating the Heat: Tips to Keep Rabbits Cool
Rabbits don’t sweat, so summer heat is serious business. Here are a few easy ways to keep your herd safe:
Use frozen water bottles in cages (great enrichment too!)
Place marble in cage, they stay cool and help with heat relief (Marble tiles)
Keep hutches well-ventilated and shaded using shade cloth, tarps, or natural shade (trees and grapevines work great!)
Provide fresh, cool water multiple times daily, bonus points for adding a second water source during heatwaves
Use a fan for airflow, but avoid blowing directly on the rabbits
🧬 Choosing Summer-Smart Breeds
Some rabbits just do better in the heat. Breeds with large ears and shorter coats naturally handle warm weather better. These are my top picks:
New Zealand White
Californian
Florida White
TAMUK Composite – specifically bred in Texas for heat tolerance
Tans or Belgian Hares – lean, active, short-coated breeds
🛑 Avoid in Hot Climates: Angoras, Flemish Giants, and Mini Rex in extreme heat, they struggle to regulate body temperature.
Tap to watch video – 5 rabbit breeds for hot weather
Should You Be Breeding in July?
You can, but it’s tricky. Bucks often go temporarily sterile in high heat, and litters may be more vulnerable. If you do breed:
Give does extra nesting material and shade
Watch for dehydration in kits
Consider cooling your bucks indoors or at night
Keep litter areas super clean to prevent flystrike
👉 Some breeders pause summer litters entirely and prepare for fall breeding instead. July is a great month to focus on culling, cleaning, and planning.
🦟 Fighting Flies and Odors
Flies are brutal in summer, and they’re more than just a nuisance. They carry disease and can cause deadly flystrike. Here’s what I use:
Sticky traps and natural repellents (like apple cider vinegar jars with holes)
Sprinkle ag lime or diatomaceous earth under hutches
Keep manure trays clean and compost turned
Use predator-safe black soldier fly bins if you’re into composting
🧑🌾 Don’t Forget the Breeder (That’s You!)
You matter too! Summer chores can wear you out fast. Don’t forget to take some time for you and your family. Here are my go-to ways to keep things manageable:
Work early morning or late evening
Stay hydrated and wear a sun hat or cooling bandana
Use rolling carts for feed, bottles, or bedding
Automate watering if
you can, gravity systems save tons of effortUse a chalkboard or app to track breeding, litters, and chores, don’t rely on memory when it’s 90° out
Budget time to do the things you love! Tap to Watch Fishing Trip
🎧 BONUS: Listen to the Podcast Episode!
We just dropped a new podcast episode where we dive deep into all of this, breeds, breeding strategies, cool-down tips, and what not to do when it’s pushing 90°.
🎙️ Click here to listen to the full episode and hear how we’re handling the heat.
✅ Quick Checklist for July Rabbitry Success
Provide frozen water bottles daily
Clean trays often to reduce flies
Shade hutches or cages
Monitor kits and does for dehydration
Cull underperforming breeders
Keep records up-to-date
Prep for fall breeding season
