Outside Rabbits

Question
thank you so much for your response.  is there anything extra i should do for them?  the hutch is readilly available so i will watch for heavy rains or quick snow melts for that matter.  the hole is postitioned in a clump of semi-tall grass that the girls haven't eaten and i'm sure they don't plan to eat.  if you are looking out the barn door you'd never know that there was even a hole.  should i put anything up as a wind block next to the hole?  they dug it a bit away from the barn and we live on a slight hill.  the wind can get pretty strong and it blows right up between the horse pasture and barn.  should i put straw in the hole for them as i would be doing in their house in the hutch or leave it out for them to take down?  also i check the hole every other day to see how much farther they've gone...i have stuck my hands in it etc and it's just past my shoulder.  it is also wider at the bottom like they might be done with depth.   is this deep enough to get through winter and should i not check anymore so my scent isn't in there?  they seem to have dug a bit farther after each check.  (i've heard so much about wild bunnies not caring for young that has been touched. - although these girls come running when they see humans and are very comf. w/ me.)  lastly, will the girls go down together?  like i said it's a mother and daughter...they groom eachother A LOT and spend all their time together.  the mother is def. in charge and is first to eat and first to take treats etc.  the mother was taken out of someone's house about 5 years ago, she beat up on their cat real bad and was semi-agressive when i got her.  she's a big sweetie now but i wouldn't want her daughter to get "kicked out in the middle of the night".  i am at the barn at least 2x's a day so i would hopefully be able to catch a problem.  thanx again, i believe that's it.  ~Faith~
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Followup To

Question -
Hi there!  i have 4 rabbits but my question concerns 2 of them.  i have a bunch of ex-pens hooked together outside and that's where my girls have been living this summer.  it is off of my barn and they have access to plenty of shade and love to eat the grass in the pen.  they seem to be happier than i have ever them.  it's a mother and daughter pair.  the daughter was born here and even with being brought up in the house originally she was never very friendly.  after spending some time outside she has warmed up to humans a lot.  i have a fairly active farm so there are always people around saying hi etc.  my big question is this...they have made a tunnel under the ground and i am wondering if it is due to winters approach.  they can both fit in it.  i do have a hutch that they used to live in that i can move them back in to.  i know the majority of people don't advocate having rabbits outdoors but in my situation that's where they are more friendly, get the most exercise and are certainly handled more.  they get pellets, free access to hay and apples.  we also provide straw in the winter. all 4 of my rabbits have wintered outside twice now making this their 3rd winter. the other 2 are males and are happier in their hutchs.  the hutches have a seperate sleeping area that they do not soil in.  i have barn cats that love the rabbits and are very "protective" of the farm.  i do not have problems with predators etc. (i know never say never!) thanx so much for any imput!!!

Answer -
Female rabbits dig tunnels regardless of where they are.  They, not the males, dig the warrens and prepare them for the coming of baby bunnies (even if spayed, I've seen it happen).

Rabbits can dig a fairly extensive set of tunnels, the main thing to watch for is that they don't dig out of the area where you want them to be and possibly put themselves in danger.

It's actually warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer in the warren, but if you start getting heavy rains you will want to put them in the hutch so they don't drown.

If you have ever read Watership Down the warrens are talked about quite a bit, and both wild and domestic rabbits dig them.

Kim

Answer
It sounds like you've done everything necessary for them.  They will dig it as deep as they need it.  You could certainly put straw out but they will only take it if they want to.

If they are bonded enough they are grooming each other, the mother kicking out the daughter shouldn't be an issue, unless one of them gets pregnant. If that were the case you would want to separate them temporarily if they do fight.

Kim