Nestbox, when to take out?

Lopsided · Feb 25, 2015

My doe has a litter of 7 and they are 12 days old today. They all have their eyes open and are running/walking/hopping in the nestbox. I put a brick in front of the nest box so that if they get out, they can get back in. So far, no one has come out. They are starting to soil the nest box and get little pieces of poop stuck to their bottoms and bellies. I ave been cleaning them for a few days. I was wondering if they can all come out now. The doe has also been eating some of the fur out of the nest box. I am thinking she is trying to get them used to cold? Or wants them out of the nest box? I have a small cardboard box filled with pine shavings ready to go whenever I need it. I have it cut down in the front so that they can get in and out. Also, does the doe need to be able to get inside of the box that I put them in? Thank you for answering all of my questions!

EnglishSpot · Feb 25, 2015

A lot of folks change the nest box materials by day 8 so there is no Nest Box Eye infections. I took my nest box out after the kits had soiled the fresh stuff (about a week later) and gave them a 3/4 house (a box without a side so they can come and go, but pile up and sleep and mom could go in and nurse, but she could get on top of it and get away from the intrepid adventurers). I'd say if the kids are in and out of the nest box, then you can take it out, clean it, and get it ready for the next go-round. Whatever box you put in there, make sure the doe can get into it with the babies to nurse.

Have fun!!!

Lopsided · Feb 25, 2015

I ended up putting the box in this evening. They stayed in for the most part, but when they came out they tried to nurse from momma and she didn't like it too much. Thankfully, she didn't stomp on them, but she ran around the cage trying to get them off. I had to help get the kits off and put them back in the box. I put a piece of cardboard where I cut the one side of the box out so that she can get in but they can't get out. Any suggestions on what I should do? Will they work it out themselves?

EnglishSpot · Feb 25, 2015

They'll figure it out and the kits will be a plague to their mom regardless LOL. In a few days they'll be hurtling the box edge and she'll have to learn to deal. Do you have hay available to them? I sprinkled oatmeal in the nest with them so they could munch that too. Is there any way you can put a shelf up for her to escape the munchy hordes? That'll give her a breather until they figure how to jump up there with her... but by then they'll be pellet and hay munching too.

Lopsided · Feb 25, 2015

I do have some hay available. I might use some oatmeal as well. I can put a small wooden box in her cage for her to jump up on. The box that I have the kits in now is too flimsy for her to jump on top of it.

katiebear · Feb 25, 2015

What I do with mine is about two weeks in I turn the nest box on its side so mom can get up there to get away from the kits.then after about one more week I take it out and put in a shelf that has three sides so the kits can cuddle inside and mom can get in to feed. At three weeks they are eating hay and pellets, oatmeal too when mom doesn't eat it all first. :lol:Also hang a water bottle down low for them..it's funny to watch them try to learn to use it...they drink a lot of water...
Just remember to change out the bedding frequently the little guys just go where ever they are. As you will see when you have to clean the tiny berries out of their food dish.. :x