Cleaning the nest box

[MyBabyHasPaws]

Am I suppose to do this? The babies are 5 days old... and it doesnt stink or anything but there have been a few times ive stuck my hand in there and a baby pee'd on me leaving it a little damp in there. Should I be doing anything right now? All I have been doing is inspecting them 2 times a day (morning and evening and sometimes night). Making sure mom eats good.. ive cleaned her litter box, but it just feels like I should be cleaning theres...

 

[bhoffman]

From what I have read, you are shouldnt clean the nest box for about 2 weeks. If there is soiled bedding then you can remove it and I think replace it.. but I could be wrong. I am interested to seeing other answers.

 

[wendymac]

If she built a nest of hay (or other material) and you have shavings (or some litter), then you could possibly lift up the actual nest box and remove what's under it.

I have never done that. At around 2 weeks (when their eyes open) you can clean it out and turn it on its side, and use hay/straw to make a little nest area. By that point they're usually chasing the milk machine around and won't stay in a box even if you have it set up. LOL

Any more pictures??

 

[MyBabyHasPaws]

Yea...I think I'll just leave it alone lol. I took some pix today, ill post when I get on the actual pc and off the kindle

 

[bhoffman]

looking forward to those pics!!!

 

[MyBabyHasPaws]

And here they are! 5 days old. I got a little brave today and put them on a huge dog bed with a clean cloth on top, they pop like popcorn, its crazy!!! And I cant believe how much pee a little thing like this can produce...all over me!

Runty is catching up a bit in size!

 

[MyBabyHasPaws]

i cant wait till they hit the 2week mark!!

 

[bhoffman]

They are adorable!! I just cant wait to hit the one day mark with mine!! Lol It will be interstingto see them at 2 weeks.. hopping around..

 

[majorv]

Cute!! If the bedding in the nestbox is getting damp you can pull out the damp stuff and replenish with somenew hay or bedding. Just mix it with what's already in there.

 

[wendymac]

They are absolutely adorable!!! They should be opening their eyes soon, too. So glad that the kits and Oreo are doing well!!

 

[MyBabyHasPaws]

Thank you!!!
this am. I found the kits scattered on the floor. Oreo was laying next to them. I put them all back and Oreo hopped right in to feed them, she looked relieved!

 

[wendymac]

LOL! Wait until she's hopping away from them, and they can find her. LOL Adeline learned quickly to NEVER lay down on her side. She's always belly down, so they can't drink whenever they want. It's always funny watching new mothers figure that out. Then they, too, are always laying with their bellies to the ground.

Wonder what colors the little brown ones will be? I was hoping someone with a clue would jump in and say, "Awww...such cute little (insert color here) bunnies."

 

[MyBabyHasPaws]

Lol, I can't wait to see that! It's funny because in the pic they look brownish but in person they look like a silvery gray not brown. I need to get better pix! One has a white paw, so cute!!

 

[wendymac]

They look like a smoke pearl, but that's just a guess. VERY gorgeous coloring, whatever it turns out to be!

I love watching the new buns when their babies start chasing them. And even funnier when the doe is sitting (to eat or drink or whatever) and you see a kit or two rush under, instantly flop, and quickly get a few drops before the doe hops away again. It's a hoot!!

 

[MyBabyHasPaws]

She looks like she hates her babies! When she nurses them if her head isnt tucked under cleaning them and its up she has this face of disgust on her! lol. I feel bad for her!

Yesterday when I checked on them their bellies seemed a bit empty.. like wrinkly. Maybe I did the wrong thing... but I scooted her in the nest box and kinda made her feed them.. is that bad? Once they latched on she sat there like normal.. but i'm feeling guilty about it, maybe I shouldnt have intervined..

 

[wendymac]

Remember, they only usually feed their babies once a day, and usually at night. The most intervening I've done is to foster a few kits to another doe. The majority of rabbits know what they're doing, while we humans just muddle along. LOL I'd keep watching them, and check them before you go to bed to see if they appear to have been fed. It sounds to me like Oreo knows what's she's doing, though.

 

[MyBabyHasPaws]

I keep trying to remind myself that, I guess it was a mistake on my part. But she was okay with it thank goodness!!!!

I wont meddle lol

Thanks Wendy!!

 

[wendymac]

It's okay to relax, Maria! They wouldn't have made it to the 1 week mark if Oreo wasn't capable. I know I was a nervous wreck with my first litter. Now I've learned to trust the doe (provided she's given me reasons to trust her) and let nature do its thing.

Did you come up with names for the other two yet?

 

[MyBabyHasPaws]

I cant help it! I just want them to be okay! After this they start eating food and that worries me too! i'm such a worry wart

Runty is the black one, my husband named him.

Footsie is the white pawed one (my fave!)

and the last one is nameless. i'm thinking Scooter, because thats what he's always doing! scooting here scooting there..

I wanted to name the black one Thor.. hubbo isnt budging lol.

 

[MyBabyHasPaws]

Oh I want to add .. the nest box is just getting nasty. I was going to remove the old litter with new litter as suggested but its all mixed together! Its pretty damp at the center. I was thinking of cleaning it all out and putting fresh litter and hay, but then they'll be without her fur and she might use it as a litter box, right? Goodness, I really dont know how you breeders do this LOL
I dont want them getting sick from the nastyness..