Mom takes baby out of nesting box

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

I had a doe that kindled last night around 8 pm. She had them on the wire. I made up the nest for her with her fur that she pulled. Sometime threw the night she make a nest out side of the box on the wire with fur and had a baby in there. I count in the box and it was one of the babies. So i put it back and the fur and left. I checke on her two hours later. She pulled all the hay out of the hay rack ,made another nest beside the nesting box and pulled more fur and took a baby out of the nesting box . I had never experience this before. So i put the baby back and all the fur Again. When i left. I watched her and she was sniffing and looking for that baby. I cant put that nesting box where she had the nest because it was right in front of the door. I wonder if i can put down a peice of plywood and the floor and straw around the side of the cage and then fur. Will that work. She dosnt want that nesting box. What do i do?

 

[ollitos]

One of my does refuses to use a nesting box. She would not feed the babies in it and was very upset about it so I put them back on the floor of the hutch.

Put some cardboard down over the wire then put the nest on top of that. Try to make a barrier with hay to keep the kits in the center. I kept checking on mine but since they are attracted to warmth, they didn't stray from the other kits and were okay.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

One of my does refuses to use a nesting box. She would not feed the babies in it and was very upset about it so I put them back on the floor of the hutch.

Put some cardboard down over the wire then put the nest on top of that. Try to make a barrier with hay to keep the kits in the center. I kept checking on mine but since they are attracted to warmth, they didn't stray from the other kits and were okay.

Thanks ollitos. I am keeping a very close eye on her. If she does it again. I will have to remove the nest and make one like you mentioned.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

I wonder if it is just "hitching a ride" on mom out of the box by clinging to the teat and then the doe feels compelled to make a nest for it?

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

oneacrefarm , I thought that to. But that isnt it. I watched her. So far after the 3rd attempted she stayed put for now and is sleeping. I will have to see tonight. I hope she settles.She sure has cute little babies.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

A shallow box like the ones cases of soda come in might work as a nestbox. You could shorten the length by cutting it in half and splicing it back together. I would attach it to the wire with zip ties or something to keep it from flipping or getting moved around by the doe.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

A shallow box like the ones cases of soda come in might work as a nestbox. You could shorten the length by cutting it in half and splicing it back together. I would attach it to the wire with zip ties or something to keep it from flipping or getting moved around by the doe.

That is a good idea mamasheepdog. I just waiting to see if she does it again. Then i will do that. I do have some of those.<br /><br />__________ Thu May 17, 2012 1:06 pm __________<br /><br />Well,it turns out after 3 times she gave up and left the babies in the nesting box and she is feeding them. Sometimes it pays to be just as stubburn as they are

 

[Random Rabbit]

from flipping or getting moved around by the doe.

One of our Blanc does would Not use the wooden nestbox. Had to have a cardboard box. It did have a roof and was similar to a burrow... She shoved that box all over the cage... usually blocking the door. She actually did flip it a couple times but the nest stayed fairly together... (and it was mid-summer.. so quite warm)... Somehow, she didn't lose a kit. I did a lot of worrying. Definitely prefer does who use the wood ones ! But even they can re-arrange the nursery.... :bunnyhop: