Nest Box Question

[LadyOnslaught]

All four kits have their eyes open and are getting out of the box (climbing over the side of the shoe box). Should I cut a hole so they can get back into the box or will they even do that? Should I make a nest in the cage and just get rid of the box? Yesterday and this morning they were on the cage floor all huddled together. Around 4:00 this morning hubby got up and looked at them and I heard him softly laugh. I asked him what he was laughing at and he said they were all chasing Riley around trying to nurse I guess. When I got home last night the largest one (well, now there are two large ones) was out and chasing her around trying to nurse.

 

[BlueGiants]

You can cut a hole so they can get back in, or you can take the nest box away. I'm guessing they'll be chasing Riley a lot now. You might want to give her a shelf of some sort so she can get away from them once in a while.

I turn my wooden nestboxes on their side, give the kits a place to "hide" and momma can climb on top to get some peace for a few minute. But that won't work with a shoe box. See if you can find a way to rig up a sturdy platform for her sit on, high enough that the kits can't jump up there yet.

If you take the nestbox away, put the nesting material, or fresh straw, in the same corner for the babies to snuggle in. (And it may need to be cleaned out more frequently now.)

 

[LadyOnslaught]

BlueGiants wrote:

You can cut a hole so they can get back in, or you can take the nest box away. I'm guessing they'll be chasing Riley a lot now. You might want to give her a shelf of some sort so she can get away from them once in a while.

I turn my wooden nestboxes on their side, give the kits a place to "hide" and momma can climb on top to get some peace for a few minute. But that won't work with a shoe box. See if you can find a way to rig up a sturdy platform for her sit on, high enough that the kits can't jump up there yet.

If you take the nestbox away, put the nesting material, or fresh straw, in the same corner for the babies to snuggle in. (And it may need to be cleaned out more frequently now.)

Thanks! There is a second level to the cage that she gets on now (it's how she figured out how to get out when she was big enough). They just seem to keep climbing out so I think I will take it away. I had them on the couch this morning and oneclimbed out really quick. You've been a great help, thank you very much