Q: setting up two storey hutch - kit friendly

[Tbgb1912]

Low down: doe has been brought inside for colder weather since she kindled. Kits are now two weeks old and are beginning to leave the nest. However, I had her nest box on the top storey so she had more room. Now that the kits are wandering I will put their nest on the floor so they don't fall down the ramp.
My questions are -
1. should I leave the food and water bowl on the floor, where the kits can have access to them?
2. Would the kits be okay with a water bowl? They wouldn't drown in it? :/ I did have my doe using a bottle, but when I moved her inside I bought a new bottle for her (which works, I've checked) but she doesn't like using it for some reason - instead I've been refilling a bowl twice a day for her.
3. how accustomed do rabbits get to pottying in the same place? I recently bought a corner litter tray, and placed it where my doe goes toilet. I didn't have to place her droppings in there for her to learn, she took to it instantly. But now that I'm rearranging the cage, her litter tray would have to go up the top. Would she reaccustom herself?

Any advice would be great

 

[Susie570]

1- yes, kits need access to the food and water.
2- depends on the bowl. Since that's what she is using, the kits will be going for it. It just needs to be a shallow bowl, not a deep one. I recommend using a 1 gallon chick waterer from Tractor Supply, if you have room.
3- she will, most likely, continue using the corner she is used to. I've had SOME success with moving a litter box, usually, eventually, they will start using it again, but it takes a good while. Kids will probably be weaned before she learns... but you can try.

 

[Tbgb1912]

3- she will, most likely, continue using the corner she is used to. I've had SOME success with moving a litter box, usually, eventually, they will start using it again, but it takes a good while. Kids will probably be weaned before she learns... but you can try.

I figured I would put the kits nest box along that whole side, cutting out her toilet corner - but no - she's now pooping in their nest box in the corner where her litter tray was -.-

 

[Susie570]

Rabbits can be pretty determined to poop where they darned well want to poop. :roll:

 

[Zass]

Rabbits can be pretty determined to poop where they darned well want to poop. :roll:

And the kits are definitely going to poop and pee all over.

 

[Tbgb1912]

Rabbits can be pretty determined to poop where they darned well want to poop. :roll:

And the kits are definitely going to poop and pee all over.

It's not fun when they pee on you :lol:

 

[Susie570]

Rabbits can be pretty determined to poop where they darned well want to poop. :roll:

And the kits are definitely going to poop and pee all over.

It's not fun when they pee on you :lol:

The young ones always do that!! I was so glad when the litter got old enough to stop peeling on me every time I picked them up!!

 

[Tbgb1912]

The young ones always do that!! I was so glad when the litter got old enough to stop peeling on me every time I picked them up!!

Ditto! Mine are two weeks old now and thankfully have stopped :lol:
My partner however thought it was the most amusing thing in the world, when I'd take them from their nice warm nest and ta-da! surprise stream of pee - usually from three of them in the space of two minutes -.- He'd just sit there and laugh. Only now is he beginning to handle them