Bottom of the Nest Boxes

[Cindi Davis]

Well I have come to the conclusion that all the boxes will get a wire bottom for the kits. It should keep em dryer and all that good schtuff . At least I have till spring to remodel them all it shouldnt be a big deal

 

[ZRabbits]

My husband built on with a wood bottom for Luna. Going to see how it goes. Can see though how wiring could be beneficial to keeping a nest box healthier. Especially with bigger litters.

Karen

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

i DONT like the wire bottom as i lost a few when they got there foot caught and cant get out.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I have always lined the bottoms of mine with cardboard, otherwise the bedding all falls out. Hubs cut some plastic panels for me recently for the bottoms and sides (partial height) so my cardboard cutting days are finally over!

 

[ZRabbits]

Found this interesting thread.

nest-boxes-t9783.html?hilit=Nest%20boxes

Wire bottoms seem to work best with a lining in it. Whether paper or plastic.

Though poo and pee can't get through with a wood bottom. So can't little bunny legs and feet. I'll just do lots of checking with the wood. To each his own.

Karen

 

[3mina]

Something else I did way back when was to drill 1/4" holes in the bottom of my wood nestboxes

 

[Demamma]

what about using hardware cloth for the bottom of a nest box?

 

[MamaSheepdog]

If you do use HW cloth, I would go with the 1/4". It will keep the bedding in, and except when they are first born their legs wont be able to slip through it. You could place a piece of cardboard underneath it for the first few days to prevent that.

 

[Demamma]

I was given a bunch of hardware cloth with very fine holes. more like a mesh. What do you do for the box? I have to make some soon.

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

In my colonies I am using 5 gallon buckets with part of the lid cut out filled with straw and layed on their side. Hope it works if I ever get some litters. And in my cages I want to use wood for winter and wire for summer, both with 1/4 inch hard ware cloth bottoms. So far that is my plan so hope it works. Now just to get some litters going here.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

In my colonies I am using 5 gallon buckets with part of the lid cut out filled with straw and layed on their side.

I would recommend putting something under the front of the bucket so it has a backward slope to keep the kits near the back of the nest. If you have any does that pee in the nests, drill some holes to allow for drainage.

 

[grumpy]

All 25 of mine have pegboard bottoms.
grumpy.

 

[ZRabbits]

My husband made this for our Luna. Hoping this will be acceptable for her. I think it will. Will see.

Karen

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

Pegboard... Ooh I like that!!!

MSD I will drill holes. Why do I need to keep the kits towards the back? (Confused )

 

[3mina]

TM, it's so when the doe leaves the nest she doesn't take the kits with her.

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

Ah I see. I have lids on the buckets with a hole cut in the top half of the lid as well. I wonder if it is tilted back if the doe would still be able to get up in the bucket? May have to make the hole lower in the lid then. I will have to check it out and see if I can figure out a way to make it work.

 

[Demamma]

What dimensions should I make for NZW and Creme D'Argent? I am thinking with winter coming I would like to make one with a partial or full top. Does anyone have plans they want to share.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

I have always lined the bottoms of mine with cardboard, otherwise the bedding all falls out. Hubs cut some plastic panels for me recently for the bottoms and sides (partial height) so my cardboard cutting days are finally over!

Yep, we use panels cut from PolyWall and drilled large holes in it. Works like a charm! And very easy to clean, spray with hose, soak in bucket with bleach water or Betadine water, rinse, dry.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

TM, I was thinking just a slight angle. A piece 2" x 4" laid under the front of the bucket would do.