building a water proof nestbox

[ladysown]

okay... here's the scoop.

My son's doe will be housed in my outdoor 4 x 4 over the winter. She likes her space, she loves good ventilation, and she's my son's doe so compromising her health over the poor ventilation that is my rabbit tent is NOT an option.

I would like to build a waterproof nestbox for her. She already has an old cat box just for sitting in which she likes but is not suitable for raising out kits.

I'm thinking to make it a cube shape with hinges so I can open it, and cut circle in the front for an entry way.

She's a mid-sized NZ doe.

How big should I make it?
How do I SAFELY make it water proof?

 

[Jack]

Birdhouse looking thing? shed the water then you don't have to deal with it

 

[ottersatin]

Shingle the roof of the nestbox and with a proper slant
it should shed water. You could also staple a section
of at least 4Mil plastic so it covers the roof and
can be lifted for easy access.
Ottersatin. ldtimer:

 

[eco2pia]

so, wait, is it outside the cage or in? and are you trying to rain-proof it or pee-proof it?

 

[ladysown]

it is an outdoor cage. 4 x 4 square. it has a lid with hinges on it so you can open it up from both sides. In the winter I put plywood around three sides of it with plywood propped up against the third side so it can more or less opened depending on the weather. The lad's rabbit is litter trained (YEAH!) Rain easily seeps in through the gaps in the wood, ergo it needs to water proof externally.

 

[MaggieJ]

I'd use a box highter at one end to shed the water and shingle it. Put the hole for the doe to enter about 8-10 inches up so the kits will not get out prematurely. Make it long so that doe has a landing area and perhaps put in a partial partition inside, to mark off the nest area.

Since the cage is so roomy, another option is to use a nest tunnel similar to the ones people use in colonies. Mine are about three feet long and perhaps 15 inches wide and high. The kits stay in very well even though the tunnel is level because the doe will usually stuff the entrance with hay. Again, use shingles or perhaps linoleum scraps for waterproofing on top and windward side.

 

[eco2pia]

Yeah, I would hesitate to use asphalt shingles or even vinyl flooring where she or the kits might be able to chew it--no real reason, just paranoid I guess.

I wouldn't worry about a ton of rain on it, 1/2 inch+ exterior grade plywood should last a few years unsealed and she and the kits will chew it up before the weather ruins it. If you wanted to get fancy you could shape it like a hutch, one side higher than the other and the lid hinges up with a little over hang on the low side to make the water drip off.

 

[MaggieJ]

That is a point, Eco2pia. Nix the shingles or flooring scraps. One could seal the wood by brushing with hot, food-grade paraffin wax I suppose, but it's likely not necessary.

Thinking about this a bit more, I'd suggest the tunnel with a hinged lid. I'd put a two-inch wedge at the front end. That would give a natural slope to the back which would help the kits gravitate back into the nest if they wander.

 

[Jack]

Wax on wood would do it, brilliantly I should think

 

[ladysown]

thanks for your help all. That will be the lad's and I construction/work project next week. (seeing as it is for HIS rabbit).

 

[Jack]

Oh and tar and asphalt isn't all that bad, really won't do much to you, used to be used in many a patent medication.

 

[eco2pia]

I was thinking of blockages with the asphalt roof, not toxicity. I would hope they wouldn't eat that much, but, well, paranoid, like I said.

 

[Jack]

usually it works the other way, um
you know, furball med is just flavored petroleum jelly.