FG Kits outgrowing nest box at one week

[TF3]

This is my first litter, so until I had a sense of how big I need everything to be, I started with plastic tote that had ample room for kits, and enough for mom, and it has worked very well.
But at one week they are swiftly outgrowing it! :lol:
Can I simply lift all the contents and put them in a larger box?
Mom is incredibly tolerant and easy going.

Lori

 

[EnglishSpot]

yup

 

[Zass]

Just to be sure to include some of the previous nesting material, to help the kits feel secure in the new box.

 

[TF3]

Perfect. I should be able to just lift the entire contents of the first nest and set it into the larger one.
I'd hate to make the dam feel she has to pull more fur... she is very conscientious about her babies being warm and she is getting bald!

 

[Homer]

This is my first litter, so until I had a sense of how big I need everything to be, I started with plastic tote that had ample room for kits, and enough for mom, and it has worked very well.
But at one week they are swiftly outgrowing it! :lol:
Can I simply lift all the contents and put them in a larger box?
Mom is incredibly tolerant and easy going.

Lori

Lori, you ain't seen nothing yet. Make sure you use a really large box if that's what your going to do. Most FG breeders don't mess with a box at all. Everyone I know, me included, build maternity wards. These cute little guys double in size about every 10 days when they're young and will eat you out of house and home. :shock:

Just build a special hutch the Doe is put in after mating to kindle. One end of the hutch is turned into a "bunny bedroom" to house the kits. Just divide it off with a hole cut out to let the Doe in and out ...and soon for the little piranha to get in and out. I make mine so the Doe has a place to go to get away from the young ones constantly badgering her. Easier if I just show you.




Make sure when doing this you put a door in the side so you can inspect them more easily and clean out the bedroom. When it's not in use I just put a piece of plywood over the entry hole to keep the Does from turning it into a bathroom.

 

[Marinea]

Nice setup, Homer!

Lori, you can definitely move the kits to a larger box. Keep in mind that some folks completely change out the nest box materials around day 11 or so to try and help prevent nest box eye.

Good luck with the kits!

 

[TF3]

Awesome! Thank you Homer!
I'm on the right track, then... The hutch we built for our doe, we are calling the 'maternity hutch' ~ it is about 3 x 4' and has two doors~ intending for one to open to built in nest, the other to the rest of the hutch~ we just didn't get the box done and I wanted to see what we would need.
So I'm sending my husband out now to get it done LOL

 

[Homer]

If you make the hutch to deep it can be hard to get the rabbits out. I make mine 30 inches deep. The smallest one for the Does is 6' long and a couple that are 8'.

I've changed the hutch in the picture but don't have a new one to show you. It's a real pain in the rear to hinge the hutch door along the bottom. Put some heavy door hinges on the side and make it swing out. My entire hitch front opens to make it easier to clean and catch the little ones.

I don't know what part of the country you're in but remember, heat is your enemy. Especially with the giant breeds.