Do I really need a nestbox?

[Sabine]

My netherland dwarf doe, Ember, is supposed to have her litter this weekend. I did buy a nice wooden nest box and I should really have put it in by now. I somehow can't bring myself to do it though. She is such a neat little bunny and likes her hutch just so. She uses her litter tray in the open area of the hutch and I never find a stary poop even in the enclosed bit. I assume this is where she is going to make her nest. I just fear if I add an "alien" object to the rather cosy compartment she may reject the place and maybe change everything around which wouldn't be great. The hutch is insulated and has a cover over it. Temperatures are not going much below freezing at the moment. She has also plenty of hay and straw in her hutch. I really feel she has enough stuff there to make a nest. Can I just do without the box?

 

[Myia09]

I would reconmend it, for the babies protection so they don't move out of the nest and get cold and pass.
My female didn't nest until the day of, so there is still time to put the box in.

 

[tamsin]

Babies often get a bit over enthusiastic and latch on to mum then get dragged out of the nest, or crawl. The nest box knocks them off/keeps them in.

 

[polly]

Personally I never use nest boxes have tried a few times but the nethies arent interested and the way the beverens build a nest its like digging your way up from austrailia
WHen the nethies nest we leave them to build their nest in the back corner ( well thats where they usually put it) once the nest is built and the babies born we add extra shavings to build the front side up and it works I have only lost 3 babies in 4 years of breeding because of them getting pulled out the nest and that was when we were having -8 weather quite a lot of breeders dont use nest boxes overe here. It might be worth giving it a try as you have one but al mine have ignored the one we had

 

[Sabine]

Well, I was also wondering as she has had litters before and the breeder more than likely not used a nest box would it confuse her? I doubt that there'll be much frost between now and March as I live in the most Southern part of Ireland.

 

[polly]

lucky u lol better weather than us then. I found whenever I tried to use a nest box they peed in it I had one rabbit use one and she died having her litter so it put me off.
I understand why they use them when they keep rabbits in a wire bottom cage but with our style I dont bother.
It might be easier to try it when you mate your little doe and she isnt used to doing it without a nest box.

 

[Sabine]

I also wonder if the nest box I bought is for rabbits at all. It seems rather tiny. I think I will try it with Pearl as she uses the enclosed area of the hutch as the toilet and changing things around would be no harm
I am so excited and I think I can now definitely feel little squirming movements inside her tummy.