Building a next outside the next box

[Jay_ho]

Good afternoon

I have a pregnant doe that is ready to kindle and continues to build her nest outside the nest box. She is due today or tomorrow and is starting to pull fur. 3 times so far I have moved everything back into the nest box but she immediately starts pulling it out and building it on the cage floor.

If I continue to move the nest back to the box, will this cause the mother stress? Should I wait until the kits are born to move them into the box? Should I just leave them in her cage bottom nest?

Thanks!

 

[RabbitsOfTheCreek]

Move the nest box to where she's making it

 

[Jay_ho]

Move the nest box to where she's making it

I will give it a try. She is literally making the nest right outside the box, against the box

 

[Markshere2]

My Darwinian first reaction:
That doe is too stupid to be allowed to continue her lineage.

Second thought, move the nest and fur back in the box, and put down careboard or hay next to the box so brand new babies are not laying on wire mesh.

Check up on the dummy frequently and when the magic moment arrives, move the babies into the box.

 

[RabbitsOfTheCreek]

My Darwinian first reaction:
That doe is too stupid to be allowed to continue her lineage.

Second thought, move the nest and fur back in the box, and put down careboard or hay next to the box so brand new babies are not laying on wire mesh.

Check up on the dummy frequently and when the magic moment arrives, move the babies into the box.

What does stupidity have to do with it

 

[Markshere2]

P

What does stupidity have to do with it

Perhaps i should have phrased it as "does not have the proper natural instincts " to pass on her genes.

Feel better now?

 

[Preitler]

Actually, she does have very good instincts imho, with a strong opinion about where her nest should be. Nestboxes are nothing natural, are a convinience for us but most don't look much like what their instincts would prefer, we just try to create an environment that at least to some point works with the nature of rabbits. If it doesn't work, like in this case, it very well can be our mistake or misconception.

Anyway, if she doesn't like the box, just put lots of hay around the nest and cage, cardboard underneith and let her do her thing, you can transfer the nest with kits later on into the nestbox. No point in stressing a doe that is about to kindle.