Does eating hay out of nestbox

[fuzzy9]

I'm a little annoyed with some of my does right now. They are first timers, and all 3 are eating every stitch of hay out of the nestbox, in spite of the fact they have plenty of their own hay outside the box. It also seems like they are eating the hair they've pulled as well. It's leaving the kits only with a layer of shavings. I've contemplated pulling the boxes, and putting them in to nurse when I feed, except I honestly believe the does are nursing more than twice a day. Typically I would offer free choice pellets, but none of these does need it, they are nice big healthy does, and I'm afraid if I do, they will blow up like balloons.

Is there anything I can use in the boxes they won't eat, or should I just let them on free choice feed, and hope they maintain a healthy weight?

 

[3mina]

I use straw in my nest boxes, my rabbits don't tend to eat it and it blends well with the fur and shavings.

 

[Miss M]

You should probably give them free choice pellets. Unlike when they are not pregnant or nursing, they need a lot more food so they can produce all that super-rich milk the babies need.

They shouldn't get fat on free-choice when they are pregnant or nursing. I haven't read of anyone who has had a problem with it at all. When they are no longer nursing, you've removed the kits, and you haven't bred again yet, then that is the time to limit the does' feed again.

Of course, they may still eat the hay from the nestboxes, so you may need to keep the boxes well-stocked, pull them except for feeding time, or use straw instead.

 

[fuzzy9]

I gave in......I gave them free choice, so we'll see how they do on that.

 

[Miss M]

I gave in......I gave them free choice, so we'll see how they do on that.

Keep us posted!

 

[rittert3]

Mine were doing this before they kindled, I think mine was a case of lazy bucks and open does though.

 

[ottersatin]

eating every stitch of hay out of the nestbox, in spite of the fact they have plenty of their own hay outside the box. It also seems like they are eating the hair they've pulled as well. [Geri]

Hello Geri, what are you feeding these Does?
It sounds like a lack of protein in the diet.
Try feeding a higher protein Pellet. see if that doesn't
put an end to the fur eating. Also place them on a full-feed
regimen.
Ottersatin. ldtimer:

 

[ladysown]

what I do with my does is give them three times their normal ration. I've learned over time that keeps them well fed without making them fat.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

I use straw in my nest boxes, my rabbits don't tend to eat it and it blends well with the fur and shavings.

I do the same. I dont like using hay as it decompose faster . I dont free feed my does either. they get the double amount and if they still want more they have to eat there hay.

 

[fuzzy9]

I think I might pick up some straw, and try that. One of the does did better, and left some hay in the box. The other ate everything out of the box, left her hay scattered all over on her cage floor, and still had pellets in her feeder. Her kits were all out of the box, huddled on the wire. They aren't ready to come out of the box yet, so that worries me a bit. I do have it set up with an easy step for them to get back in, but they don't seem to want to use it.