Does Anyone Else Leave the Nest Box in For a Long Time?

[Rabbits by Accident]

I was just reading over the posts (some 10+ years old) about removing the nest boxes - seems like everyone takes them out at 3 weeks! Aw, the poor little things! I leave the boxes in for ... well pretty much forever or until they're obnoxious and start pooping in them all the time and don't use them as much. The littles seem to really like to sleep in the boxes - usually there are at least 2 or 3 napping when I come out.

These guys are 5 weeks old
(most of my nest boxes are the normal wooden kind, but that may change, I'm liking the plastic)​

My bucks all have boxes that they like and don't poop in. The does don't seem to want them.

So, am I alone in this? does anyone else leave the nest boxes in for a while?

- Liz

 

[RabbitsOfTheCreek]

Yes
Yes I do

 

[Mags]

Me too, until they are 5 weeks. Sometimes 6 if I ended up with a small litter. They love it. I take the nest out once my kits get big enough to the point when the box becomes a nuisance, and need more room. I have ample, big enough cages to keep them all together.

 

[Coach5533]

I was just reading over the posts (some 10+ years old) about removing the nest boxes - seems like everyone takes them out at 3 weeks! Aw, the poor little things! I leave the boxes in for ... well pretty much forever or until they're obnoxious and start pooping in them all the time and don't use them as much. The littles seem to really like to sleep in the boxes - usually there are at least 2 or 3 napping when I come out.

View attachment 29084

These guys are 5 weeks old
(most of my nest boxes are the normal wooden kind, but that may change, I'm liking the plastic)​

My bucks all have boxes that they like and don't poop in. The does don't seem to want them.

So, am I alone in this? does anyone else leave the nest boxes in for a while?

- Liz

I am very new to raising rabbits. My hutch is outside and to provide them with place to get out of the wind and cold. I build wooden boxes / nests for all rabbits. Does+ Bucks. They really seem to like it.
I am not sure what the long terms means for them. But am building a colony / playground for the does and grow-outs.

 

[Cosima]

I don’t take the nesting box out unless their pooping in it.

 

[MnCanary]

I don't agree with the standard recommendation of putting the nest box in just before a doe kindles. I put it in a couple weeks after breeding, so the doe can haul hay back and forth. I have one doe that starts moving hay around within a week of being bred. The worst that can happen, if you put the nest box in early, is that it might need cleaning a few times. And I also leave the nest box in until I see that the kits aren't using it much. That is, at around 5 weeks old.

 

[arachyd]

Once the kits develop some control of their legs they chase the doe around trying to nurse all the time. I always left the nest box available for the does to sit on top. They seemed to appreciate being able to get away from them for some peace.

 

[Preitler]

I too keep the nestbox in until it obviously isn't used anymore, somewhere between 3-4 months.

 

[Rabbits by Accident]

Once the kits develop some control of their legs they chase the doe around trying to nurse all the time. I always left the nest box available for the does to sit on top. They seemed to appreciate being able to get away from them for some peace.

My cages all have shelves but babies get up there before they're 3 weeks old LOL amazing how high they can jump. The photo I use as my icon is my large 12 lb rabbit Gertie, who had 10 kits and I put in a second story so she could escape. The photo is of the 10 little babies on the shelf looking down at her however she did get some peace LOL

 

[Skai]

I think it depends on the situation in each cage. Some rabbits like the security of being able to escape to a nest box, like a wild rabbit would head for it's hole in the ground. Some Does never use their nest box unless they have babies. Some like to use them for a perch and some like to use them for a toilet. For me, the answer is, it depends.