Nest Box Questions

[irishbunny]

Hey guys, I was wondering what can be used as a nest box since you can't buy any here? The breeder I help out just let's them build a nest in the corner of the does cage but I'd be afraid of the babies getting knocked out of the nest and getting chilled.

The box she gave birth in the last time was 35cm long, 25cm wide, and 18cm in depth. She took up practically all the room in the box so I'm afraid it might be too small.

 

[paul2641]

When is princess due?

 

[Flashy]

Wasn't the last litter a surprise litter? How come she had a nest box?

I'm not a breeder and never used nestboxes, however, I think that would be a perfect size, because it's supposed to be big enough for mum to get in and stand over the nest, but not big enough for her to do anything else in. That looks a good size from my eyes, but I'm sure someone more experienced will chip in too with more useful advice.

 

[Peek-a-boo]

I think that looks fine hun to be honest, you dont really want a large nest box as the kits can separte easily and if one gets lost in a large nest it will probably miss a feed or freeze as it wont have its bros and sisters to keep warm with

 

[irishbunny]

It has been in her cage since I got her, it's her sleeping box because of the cold weather I fill it with hay and she cuddles up in it. She made a nest in it the last time. I'm going to take it out of her cage if it's to small.

 

[irishbunny]

Peek-a-boo wrote:

I think that looks fine hun to be honest, you dont really want a large nest box as the kits can separte easily and if one gets lost in a large nest it will probably miss a feed or freeze as it wont have its bros and sisters to keep warm with

Ok thanks, I'd just be worried that she would trample the babies since she takes up nearly all the box.

 

[murph72]

If she doesn't go to the bathroom in it and she's used to it, then I'd say you can keep it as the nestbox. I agree that you wouldn't want it too big as the big ones only give the wee ones a place to wander to and get lost when their eyes are closed. I'd worry about it if it was new to her, mainly because it's plastic and some buns chew the plastic...but since she's obviously not chewing it, I'd say it's fine. Just make sure that there's always straw under their feet so they don't become splayed since the plastic bottom would be slippery to them. You don't want a bunch of babies with splayed legs.

I do not buy nestboxes. My husband makes them in his wood shop. There are plenty of plans that you can find online if you know someone there that does woodwork...and not even great woodwork, but just something simple that does the job. It doesn't have to look nice, just be usable.

 

[irishbunny]

Thanks ya she has never chewed it , she has pooped in it a few times though but has not done it constantly, and when she built a nest in it the last time she kept it spotless.

 

[Erins Rabbits]

In the corner of a cage? Eep... That doesn't sound to great... A box is definitely the safer option, even if it isn't the ideal type. You can buy directly from KW.

The box looks about the right size. Keep in mind thatwith too much room the kits can get separated and freeze. That being said, it looks just the right size for her. What breed is she?

 

[BlueGiants]

It looks pretty good for her. She only needs enough room to turn around. She won't hurt the babies stepping on them. Most moms will stand on their back feet and use their front feet to scoop the babies towards her belly. Then when all the babies are under her, she'll straddle them to nurse.

 

[Peek-a-boo]

has she had any babies yet hun? x

 

[irishbunny]

Nope she just started making a nest a bit yesterday, she has a real big belly full of squirmy babies too. I'm not expecting anything tonight, she's still eating and hasn't finished her nest, tomorrow is the date so maybe tomorrow.

 

[Peek-a-boo]

awww :inlove:im hoping she has a save delivery i cant wait til their born so we get lots of pics hehe im so impatient!

x

 

[irishbunny]

Ya I hope so, last time was fine and I didn't even realise she had babies until I found them, I'm just hoping they are alive this time, last time she had about 5 (nestbox was in a bit of a state and I couldn't tell for sure), her belly is way bigger this time so there must be 6 or 7 there, and I could feel them moving this time :inlove:

 

[paul2641]

irishbunny wrote:

Ya I hope so, last time was fine and I didn't even realise she had babies until I found them, I'm just hoping they are alive this time, last time she had about 5 (nestbox was in a bit of a state and I couldn't tell for sure), her belly is way bigger this time so there must be 6 or 7 there, and I could feel them moving this time :inlove:

I find the later they get into the pregnancy the harder the stomach becomes, anyone else experiance this?

 

[irishbunny]

Ya I agree it does.

 

[paul2641]

irishbunny wrote:

Ya I agree it does.

Suki is a bit ahead in her pregnancy she is like nearly ready to have her next litter but I wasn't excepting it till The 22nd of this month, So I don't know maybe It's a false pregnancy.

 

[irishbunny]

Why what is she doing?

 

[Erins Rabbits]

paul2641 wrote:

irishbunny wrote:

Ya I agree it does.

Suki is a bit ahead in her pregnancy she is like nearly ready to have her next litter but I wasn't excepting it till The 22nd of this month, So I don't know maybe It's a false pregnancy.

What makes you think she's ahead? If she has them too early obviously they won't survive. Rabbits can start 'showing' relatively quickly, and some does aren't two weeks in before they start nesting.

 

[irishbunny]

Six babies, no survivors, she had them outside the nestbox sometime between 1pm and 4.30pm, I have them inside now and was trying to warm them up but nothing has happened, I won't be breeding them again so this is it, RIP babies :cry2

One of them I was trying to warm up, they were all this colour so probably agoutis.