How do you rabbit production guys cope with this? Most of my summer shows are outside. I am considering adding a bunny production and thinking through all the contingencies. Thanks.

Mark

Minimize your wait - bunny production happens at the top of the show - after that, sit him in the shade (no shade, no show)

If you have to wait a while, load him as late as possible - you may just have to keep him in his cage out where everyone can see him while you wait around (better than a hot car) - when I have a long stay, face painting first (etc.), he's an added attraction sitting there being cute.

Concerned that his open presence will be too great a clue to your program? If anybody asks "are you going to pull him out of your hat?" just don't answer - they're not paying nearly as much attention as you think..

I have been doing balloon to dove for 6 years now and have a 45 minute show with my rabbit being the last trick and haven’t had any trouble so far. I do my dove pan first because the little guy must be cooking in there (no pun intended) because sometimes he comes out sweating from like stated above delayed show. So my dove sits in dove pan for 15 minutes and again so far no tragedies.
The only thing I do is make sure the box is in the shade. Again like stated above no shade no show. Don't want to chance it.
I also wait till the show is ready to begin before I load them and if they end up delaying me for too long I take them to my car and turn on the air. Rather buy a little gas then lose my beloved animals.

Great info. That helps a lot. Hope to hear from others... I am an experience rabbit keeper (years ago) but never used one in a show. I definitely don't want to put him at risk or undue discomfort.

Mark

I suggest you get a thermometer. Place it where you put the animal and see how hot it gets. You may be surprised that even a few minutes in a shaded area with no air circulation can be unbearable.
I say don’t risk it.

Steve

My Rabbit "LOUIE THE BUNNY!" stays in his cage the whole show right until the finale, "Take apart vanish" done in a way as in a production. He's only in the box for 2 minutes TOPS! And then he's put back in his cage. He gets put back into the cage right after the trick and then taken out later for picture taking!

I live in the Pacific NW, where it can get hot but is not typically that hot. Make sure that you do not keep the rabbit in the car while he waits. I have always found some place to put the bunny that was a pleasant temperature. The idea of the thermometer is not a bad idea. As others said, I load the bunny just before using him and then get him off stage.

quack

Freeze a milk carton full of water or some other plastic bottle and put it in the rabbits carrying cage, put the rabbit into your load as late as possible before doing the trick, do not make it very long and do not keep rabbit away from cooler carrying cage very long.

I was just about to mention the frozen water bottle idea...just remembered that when we had rabbits years ago in outside hutches, whe would put frozen bottles/jugs of water (ice) in with the bunnies. They would lie next to them amd keep cool..also licking the condensation off them.

Rabbits DO NOT SWEAT.
They have no sweat glands.

If you choose to keep your rabbit in heat that you would not be able to bear, and you think your rabbit is sweating, he may be dribbling from the mouth as he (or she) gets sicker.

Bob

When I used a rabbit in my show, he sat in the production box, restrained by a lightweight cloth bag, with his head peaking out. The production box door was open and a small battery-powered fan blew across the rabbit's ears. I was able to use the rabbit as the finale, on hot, humid days. I always produced the rabbit within a couple minutes of closing the top door of the box.

After the show, I spritzed the rabbit's ears with a mist of water, so the rabbit would stay cool while kids petted him.

I don't have a rabbit yet but if I do add one I don't want the hassle and I don't want the risk of exposing him/her to the outside weather. So for outside shows, I plan to not offer the bunny, but will suggest the rabbit in the hat puppet instead.

Jim

Alan,
What an EXCELLENT idea...I don't think I would have ever thought of that. Especially, misting his ears with water...great thinking!

Mark