What nest box materials do people find work the best? Hopefully (fingers crossed) our two Flemish Giant does are due Halloween!!! The two litters will have been sired by our Champagne buck. We made some really nice nest boxes I just don't know what to put in them for nesting materials. Our rabbits are kept inside so temperature isn't an issue. I have read conflicting things about wood shavings (like you would purchase at a pet store for a hamster). Some people swear by it and others claim it will clog the baby kits' nose and mouth and cause suffocation. Some people say to use straw and not hay because hay is too coarse and pokey but straw looks coarse and pokey to me. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Nest Box Materials
- Thread starter Basenji43
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Most of us on here use hay in nest boxes. You can also use straw, shredded newspaper, pine (not cedar) shavings, etc. Other things you can add are cloth strips, dryer lint, probably even cattail fuzz (they used to make diapers out of the stuff!). 
I use hay.
I use hay.
3mina
Well-known member
I use shavings, not sawdust which will cause problems,and straw, which blends well with the fur the does pulls. Lots of people use hay as well, it's a matter of personal choice. I like straw because it breaks easily into small bits that blend well. I like to put hay in as well because the kits nibble from very early on.
ZRabbits
Well-known member
I used Timothy Hay and took out all the pokey stuff. Mixed it with soft Orchard Hay. Babies are now eating both and I have had no problem with my first litter.
Have to say though the Care fresh bedding I use mixed well with Luna's fur and made a very soft bedding so I used that around the kits and then the hay.
Wishing your Flemish does an easy delivery and lots of healthy popples!
Karen
Have to say though the Care fresh bedding I use mixed well with Luna's fur and made a very soft bedding so I used that around the kits and then the hay.
Wishing your Flemish does an easy delivery and lots of healthy popples!
Karen
Lastfling
Well-known member
My nest boxes have wire bottoms. I line this with a piece or 2 of card board. Top that with a small layer of wood shavings and add hay for the remainder.
skysthelimit
Well-known member
I use shavings and hay. Hay is getting expensive and hard to find, so I've started putting shredded paper in the bottom then shavings. I'll add the hay when they've kindled, so they don't eat it or waste it.
hoodat
Well-known member
I prefer orchard grass hay because there are no stiff stems to poke an eye. When given a choice the does also seem to prefer it.
MamaSheepdog
Well-known member
I use pine shavings mixed with brown paper bags that I put through our paper shredder, and then give the doe hay to gather and make the nest. I prefer the Bermuda grass because the stems are very fine, but they have also used alfalfa and straw with no problems. Before I started feeding hay, I would have the kids harvest the dry wild grass that grows here for them. I also add a handful of pine pellets to the end where the nest will be, but most of my does dig in their nests when building, so they get scattered throughout. I will often put a handful in the nest hollow after the kits are born to absorb urine.
I have seen it mentioned elsewhere not to use the pine pellets in nests, but don't recall the exact reason given. I have never had any issues using them though, and they do keep the nest dry.
I have seen it mentioned elsewhere not to use the pine pellets in nests, but don't recall the exact reason given. I have never had any issues using them though, and they do keep the nest dry.
OneAcreFarm
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ZRabbits":1n427cna said:
Won't they try to eat that?
Dawn Marchesani
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I put the nesting box in with her Not sure when she is do but from when I put it in there are pine shavings mixed with the cotton balls Should I give her fresh cotton balls or is it ok to have shavings mixed in with them ? Thank youMost of us on here use hay in nest boxes. You can also use straw, shredded newspaper, pine (not cedar) shavings, etc. Other things you can add are cloth strips, dryer lint, probably even cattail fuzz (they used to make diapers out of the stuff!).
I use hay.
RabbitsOfTheCreek
Netherland Dwarf Breeder & Well-known Member
This is an old thread so you might want to make your own, but using just pine shavings and hay on top works for me
Sunshine Rabbits
Koren Family Farm LLC
I use hay and/or dried grass clippings.
Layer of pine shavings, then small layer of hay. Then lots of hay in the feeder and available on the cage floor. She'll do the rest.
MsTemeraire
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Definitely hay! What many people don't realise is that the babies - born with teeth - start nibbling, chewing and eating even before their eyes open. I have a video of a very young baby in the nest, eyes still closed, eating hay.
I provide a large flake of straw. Having more structure than hay, it makes a really good sturdy den, sometimes a cave, in the nest box.
