Oops! Nestbox Issue

[Desert Rose Rabbits]

So, I put Mama's nestbox in her hutch today at 28 days. She's due this Sunday the 13th. However, when I put the nestbox in, I forgot to line the bottom with cardboard and our nights are averaging just above freezing right now. I was going to pop out there tonight and take the hay out that she'd so laboriously put in only to find out that she'd nommed all four Tums that I gave her and had already started pulling fur. Last time she kindled, she kindled right on day 30 and didn't pull any fur until the night she had her litter. I'm hesitant to change up anything in her nest as I don't want to stress her but I'm concerned about the temps.

Would I be best to wait until she has her litter and slip the cardboard in after the kits are there, or go ahead and take it apart, put the cardboard in asap and let her put everything back together? She's never had a problem with me handling her kits or adding things like cotton balls to the nest but this was all after everyone was born, not a day or two before she's due.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Can you just slip the cardboard under the box?

 

[Miss M]

Can you just slip the cardboard under the box?

I know when I've tried that, every doe has without fail gotten the cardboard out from under the box (even when I thought it was unreachable).

I would go ahead and put it in the box. At a day or two ahead of due, she should settle back down, I think.

 

[MaggieJ]

If the cardboard is cut to the exact size of the box, so that none of the edges protrude, it should be okay under the box. Assuming the box is wood and too heavy for the doe to move.

 

[skysthelimit]

That would have to be pretty heavy, the Rex does can push around the solid wood boxes I have. One keeps shoving it in front of the door so she can stand int eh box and eat out of the hopper.

 

[PSFAngoras]

I have nest boxes with 1/2x1/2" wire bottoms. I only put straw in there for the does, and they provide the wool. I am very careful when I pull the boxes out to check on kits that no toes are sticking through, but I haven't had a problem yet. Most of the time mom pulls so much wool that she creates a nice thick mat for the kits to lay on. No toesies get through that!

I'm actually scared to put cardboard down in my boxes because if the nest does go all the way to the bottom, then the kits are sitting on slick cardboard, which puts them at risk of developing splayed legs. Not a chance if like to take!

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

I have nest boxes with 1/2x1/2" wire bottoms. I only put straw in there for the does, and they provide the wool. I am very careful when I pull the boxes out to check on kits that no toes are sticking through, but I haven't had a problem yet. Most of the time mom pulls so much wool that she creates a nice thick mat for the kits to lay on. No toesies get through that!

I'm actually scared to put cardboard down in my boxes because if the nest does go all the way to the bottom, then the kits are sitting on slick cardboard, which puts them at risk of developing splayed legs. Not a chance if like to take!

My chunky pair that Nellie had liked to burrow down and sit directly on the cardboard...so I tore up an old car towel (not a fluffy bath towel but one of those thin, flat things for polishing a car) and every day I'd pull out the whole nest, stick the towel scrap in the bottom, put them back in and rebuild the nest. :roll: I changed the towel so often because that kind of material really holds in pee, LOL. They got to walking just fine!

 

[Disney]

I use an old t-shirt in my plastic bottom cages. The kits love it and no worry of slipping legs.