Avoiding "Nestbox Eye"

[Frecs]

Jumpp's kits have just started opening their eyes. I've see reference to something called, if I'm remembering correctly, "nestbox eye" and I was wondering how to avoid that if it is possible.

The nesting materials are hay and very little fur as Jumpp removed it during a recent warm spell. I'm wondering if I should remove the hay and replace it with shredded paper or pine shavings? It is warm during the day but our night temps are going down to around 30F.

 

[Lizardslaps]

clean out the nest box and make it nice a fresh

you can put dryer lint over them if you have some

I used a heating pad for my single kit I had outside worked great up until the little guy managed go get behind it and wouldn't come out ever

 

[OneAcreFarm]

I clean the box out every 5 days. In warm weather, the box is removed at 14 days and replaced with a shallow cardboard "snuggle" box with some hay. In cold weather, the box is removed at 21 days and replaced just the same. I almost never have NBE anymore. Also, if it happens and it doesn't clear after two days of cleaning and treating, I cull the affected kits.

 

[Frecs]

I don't have much dryer lint as we hang our clothes out most of the time. I checked the box today to see if I needed to clean it out and it was surprisingly clean -- the hay and bottom liner have no soiling. I will clean it out anyway tomorrow. Should I still use hay or is there something else less likely to poke or irritate their eyes? (What exactly is nestbox eye? or what causes it?)

 

[majorv]

We've never had a problem with NBE using hay. There's usually enough hair mixed in to keep it fairly soft. If you don't have any extra hair you can put in you could also put some shavings in with the hay. Pet stores also sometimes have nesting material you can use.

 

[Frecs]

We've never had a problem with NBE using hay. There's usually enough hair mixed in to keep it fairly soft. If you don't have any extra hair you can put in you could also put some shavings in with the hay. Pet stores also sometimes have nesting material you can use.

There isn't much fur in the box. Jumpp removed it when we had a warm spell. I tried putting in some from Country Mile (who pulled huge amounts) but Jumpp had a snit fit about it and removed it all. I'll try the shavings mixed with hay.

 

[ladysown]

helps to avoiding nestbox eye

first and foremost...BREED IT OUT! Seriously.

then second
1. clean nestbox out whenever dirty or icky
2. day nine clean out the nestbox and replace with clean bedding OR completely change out the nestbox for one that is JUST for the 10-14 day olds. (i remove boxes or tip them on the side on day 14) your mileage may vary.
3. do not use dusty bedding (so no shavings). I find wood stove or horse stall bedding good for the post 10 day old crowd (put under hay, just a small handful) soaks up pee like nobodys business.

 

[akane]

We lay down wood pellets, pine shavings, and top with hay. Let the does build on that with more hay and fur. We've had 1 nestbox eye in 3 years and probably surpassing 300 rabbits now. I don't clean out the box. I leave it until they start leaving it and then I tip it side ways and when they stop hiding in it I remove it. Sometimes in winter when it's too cold for kits to leave the box a box gets left for 4 weeks untouched without a problem.

 

[Demamma]

I had 3 litters have a few kits with eye problems. I had them in my wooden shed and during the day opening the doors for ventilation. I believe the ammonia built up as it was hard to keep clean and too crowded for the air quality. I washed off any with yucky eyes with warm water and cotton ball after two days in the grow out pen they are doing good. lesson learned and am rethinking my shed set up. the grow out pen is a 5ft x10 ft pen under a carport and a 3ft x 8ft for the keepers. definitely make sure the nest box is clean also keep a eye on the air quality. the older rabbits did not show any problems.