When should I place a nest box?

MidwestRabbits2 said:

I've found if I do it earlier than 28 days they are likely to use it as a litter box. Though, if a doe is haystaching I will put a nest box in earlier. I had three haystaching today. Two of them are on day 26, the other is day 24. They all got nestboxes after I saw them haystaching.

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Kingdomrabbitry said:

I’m wondering when you all put your nesting box in with your does? The first time around I put her box in at 28 days and it seemed perfect. She delivered 5 babies, 3 healthy and happy and 2 DOA. The next two times we bred her she aborted her litters at 21 days. Should I place her nesting box in sooner? Is she maybe stressed out and aborting early? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Celeste5 said:

I’m pretty new to raising rabbits, like this is still my first year of raising them. I have two does and two bucks living in a large cage, colony style. Everything I’m reading during my research says I should not leave a nesting box in their cage all the time but I don’t exactly see why? From what they say, it’s just because the rabbits might use the nesting box as a litter box, but I also know what side of the cage they do their business on, so couldn’t I just put the nesting box on the other side? Because I’m new I don’t really know if I have pregnant does or not but I do know the bucks have been going after the does. I really don’t want to loose the first litter because of my ignorance. The temperature here is also getting pretty low at night which was another reason I thought maybe I should leave a nesting box in their cage all the time. I’m not sure if this was the best place to leave my question but if any of you could help that would be great. Thank you so much!

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dlynn said:

I have colonies and made permanent covered den boxes 12"x20, 12" tall . 2 bucks in one cage may cause problems. I keep only one buck in each family group. And that is in larger group shelters with free yard access and hiding spots. In a cage they can't retreat much. I even found greater peace when there were 4 does with that one buck. It is unusual for bucks not to compete unless it is a large area and lots of females. Mine are fine with young bucks until they get about 12 weeks then the buck starts chasing trying to drive him away. When I waited too long to move the boys out once, I had one with parts bit off... Funny once he was a unich he quit being chased. No longer competition I guess. Can you give the second boy his own space. Or split the couples?

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Skai said:

There are lots of different opinions on this but I always leave boxes in with my buns, including the buck. I think they are calmer with permanent boxes because it's natural for a rabbit to burrow, even if they live in cages. It gives them a sense of security. As long as you know where they pee/poo then do what feels right for you and your rabbits.

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Celeste5 said:

I have split the does from the bucks but I don’t really have a good enough set up at the moment to further split them. I knew there would be fighting amongst my two boys so I put one of those plastic kitty litter buckets on its side in their cage. When I went out to check them tonight I found the less dominant one hiding in it so I guess that will work until I can work something else out.

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dlynn said:

I wonder if 2 couples, 1 buck with 1 doe would work for you.. I have one family I just reduced to that. Am hoping buck won't be too pesty. There were 3 does with him. I haven't had just one before. If you try let us know, we'll compare notes.

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