Heat in nest boxes

[HoppyMeal]

We are having an unseasonably cold spell. Our first snow has dropped over a foot. we normally don't even have snow at Christmas. I have 2 litters due in 2 days and the high will be in the 20's with a low of 1. This is my first year raising rabbits so I need a little help. My Rabbits are in a shed that is enclosed on all sides except the main entrance, which has a tarp that I put down when it gets really cold or windy. I have 4-100 watt lights that I keep on during the day when the tarp is down.
The does that are due, have their own hutches with an enclosed area except for the doorway. This area is used for the nest boxes. I use hay in the nest boxes and they have both started pulling fur. Both of the does are experienced mothers. So my question is do I need to use any source of heat for my nest boxes?

 

[MamaSheepdog]

We are having an unseasonably cold spell. Our first snow has dropped over a foot. we normally don't even have snow at Christmas.

We are too! Our first snow is coming down right now- only a couple of inches so far. We also rarely get snow before Christmas. A-a-nd I'm expecting litters too!

But back to you... They sound very sheltered from the elements, so as long as they both build good nests and have several kits each they should be perfectly fine.

My rabbits are much more exposed so I bought an under nest heater from BASS equipment but have only used it a couple of times even with temps in the twenties.

 

[ladysown]

as long as momma does what she is supposed and has 3+ kits each they should do just fine.

 

[AmysMacdog]

I used the Bass Bunny Warmer years ago and liked it. These days I just bring them in if I'm worried but should I need one I'd get one.

 

[HoppyMeal]

Thank you for the info MamaSheepDog and Ladysown.
One of the does Chaos has good litters normally 7-8. her last litter was 12. The other doe Snow, has litters of 3. For A NZ that's not very good. The only reason I keep her is because she is a good foster mom. I usually breed both of these rabbits the same day. On the last litters for these, Snow fostered 3 of Chaos's last litter.

 

[Ctchinman]

Mamasheepdog I was looking to buy a nesting box warmer from BASS I don't think they sell them anymore. Do you know anyone else that sells them?

 

[AmysMacdog]

X2 I went to Bass E. today too. Couldn't find a bunny warmer anywhere! I've used them before as a propagation mat to grow seeds or cuttings. Lots cheaper than other sources. Bummer if they don't have them anymore.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Oh no! The picture is still up (it is shown with the nestboxes), but I didn't see a price listed.

I would call them directly- the lady I made my original order with was so very nice and helpful, as was the lady I spoke to here at their satellite location in CA. If they don't carry them anymore I bet they would tell you where to find them.

 

[Truckinguy]

Mine are outside and they breed all year round. The doe will build an appropriate nest for the temperature. During the summer the kits are basically on top of the straw with a light covering but in the winter they are buried deep in the nest and covered in a lot of fur. I had a litter of two survive extremely cold temps last winter.

I watched a feeding a couple of days ago, the doe dug head first into the nestbox and cleared the straw out from under her so her body actually sealed the nestbox so no cold air could get in. When she finished she jumped off, the kits scrambled back deep into the nest and she packed it up tight with straw. I was kneeling right next to the nestbox when she came up beside me, jumped in and started nursing. It's interesting what I see if I just sit in the colony and observe for a while.

 

[GBov]

We keep going from too cold for the time of year to REALLY warm for the time of year. It was 83f yesterday and today its in the 50s and tonight will be in the 30s.

Hard for the does to make the right kind of nest in this kind of weirdness.

I never heard of nest box warmers, they sound great for really cold spells.

For the bring them in the house-ers, how do you manage big nest boxes? Do you have carry nests to put the kits in or the entire box?

With big does come big nests so I was just wondering.

 

[AmysMacdog]

Gbov I've done both, carried the nestbox in or just the buns in in a box or one of those soft totes with handles works great!

 

[bobqdevon]

Try this link:

http://www.amazon.com/Heated-Resting-Sm ... ies_text_y