Kit Hopping out of Nest Box Already?

[Phacelia]

So my NZ/Creme kits are 10 days old today. They are BIG little bruisers and doing great.

However, yesterday evening when I went out to feed, one of the babies was out on the wire, snuggling with mama. So I popped him back in the box.

This morning one was out again (couldn't tell if it was the same one or not). Luckily, the weather has been very mild here (lows in the upper 40's, highs in the upper 50's/low 60's.)

I just changed out the nest box material yesterday, and I'm wondering if they are in there too shallow, now.

Do you think he's hopping out on his own already? Or just getting dragged out?

He has one HUGE, fat belly though, so I think he's been getting PLENTY of extra milk

I didn't get a good look at them this morning, but I don't think their eyes are open, quite yet.

 

[Pikku]

Take my experience with a grain of salt, as I am very new to rabbits. I have had the same thing happen with mine. Three litters so far have started popping out of their boxes around ten days. I pop them back in and later that day they are out again. I think they are doing it themselves as their mama's don't feed them as often as they pop out! It's a fun game trying to make sure they are in before night time, lol. My whole litters soon followed suit of the one jumper.

 

[Lastfling]

10 days seems to be the magic number and coincides with their eyes opening. I've found its near impossible to keep them in once they start coming out and most times they can find their way back in. To assist with this I place a block of 2x4 in front of the box for them to use as a step.

 

[Ramjet]

10 days seems to be the magic number and coincides with their eyes opening. I've found its near impossible to keep them in once they start coming out and most times they can find their way back in. To assist with this I place a block of 2x4 in front of the box for them to use as a step.

Yep , bout 10-12 days they start getting out of the box sometimes earlier.

I've lost three out of 17 in the two litters I have now to this as there were a couple cold nights and they were ~6-7 days but my theory with that size / age is that when momma is feeding them , they hang on when she leaves the box dragging them out with her and cant get back in - a lone kit doesn't stand a chance on a cool night if that happens.


We cant watch them 24-7 .... so the best thing to do is put something outside the nest box to help them get back in .... I use a brick or a 2x4. Its just natural selection at work .... even in the seemingly safe confines of our rabbitries.

 

[katiebear]

I have only had one litter that want to stay in the box...from a first time grouchy mom. She was super sweet until she got pregnant then she destroyed everything in her cage. Once the kitts were born she turned into a grouch growling at anyone who gets in her way. I don't think she is grouchy with the little ones but I think they can sense her tension.....Her mom in the next cage is super layed back. her litter is one day younger and have been getting out for about three days now. Started at about 12 days old.

 

[craneman54]

Mine started jumping out the nest box at 10 days. The first time it was just 2 of them. Today is day 17 so I took the nest box out,cleaned it again put some hay and the mothers hair I saved back in,but I put it on it's side so they can come and go as they please.

 

[Zass]

I've seen them wander out on their own as early as 7 days.
Around 10 days is also when their eyes start opening, it won't be long before they find the bunny pellets and water bottle. It's amazing how fast the little guys develop.

Interestingly, the litter I had where the kits never seemed to leave the nestbox also belonged to a REALLY grouchy doe.

When they were older, I witnessed her actually attacking a kit after I had just finishing petting it. She didn't harm it, but I didn't give her the chance to either.

 

[caroline]

I turn the nest box over on its side when this starts happening. It makes it easier for the kits to get back in which is a good thing when its cold. Otherwise a single kit could freeze to death. The moms don't always snuggles with the kits. Sometimes they are even sitting on top of the box to keep the kits from nursing all the time.