Question about Nest boxes

[AnnieOakley]

I've got some does with babies that will be 3 weeks on Sunday. These are the first litters that I've had using removable next boxes. Before I've always had them in a hutch with a back portion used for a next box. Just wondering when I take the next boxes out? All of the babies are going in and out of the boxes fine. When is a good time to take the boxes out?
Thanks! ancake:

 

[Dood]

I don't remove my boxes and keep them with the litter until 6 weeks when I put the kits in a growout pen.

 

[skysthelimit]

I only remove them when they start to soil the box, which is different for each litter.

 

[Desert Rose Rabbits]

I only remove them when they start to soil the box, which is different for each litter.

:yeahthat:

For MaMa's last litter, I removed the nest box at about six weeks, but I did turn it upsidedown for them at around 4 weeks. For her current litter, I had to remove it a little before 3 weeks because they were using it as a litterbox. I hesitated to remove it so early with the cold, and all, but it was getting unsanitary. I think it really just depends on the litter.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

I have to agree with above post... be it also depends on how many is in the litter... if is at least 5 and up.. I wouldn't leave it any longer than 4 weeks the most.. they can get lung problems if you leave it to long. not good for there health.. In the summer when it is hot... day 18 the nest box is out... at this time of year.. which is cold for me.. I leave till 4 weeks

 

[ladysown]

Nice weather Routine.
Nestbox upright until eyes open.
Nestbox tipped until two weeks old.
Replaced for 1-5 with a 3/4 box.
Then removed.

Cold weather Routine
Nestbox until 10 days old, then tipped with hay/straw on cage floor until 16 days old. Then nestbox removed.
3/4 box supplied until 3 weeks.

This routine prevents kits from wandering off and getting chilled.
I want the kits out and eating as soon as possible. They huddle well together for warmth.

 

[AnnieOakley]

Thanks so much for the suggestions! I've been cleaning out the box and putting new straw in every couple of days. Kits will be 4 weeks on Sunday, so out it goes!

 

[OneAcreFarm]

I do pretty much the same as LadysOwn....nice weather out by two weeks, cold weather out by three weeks. I put in a snuggle box (usually cardboard) for them for a week or two, then I take that out as well.

 

[EnglishSpot]

I know this is an old thread, but I have a question.

My doe had a 'house' in her hutch (looks like a doghouse with a flat roof) and the doe would regularly spend her time lounging on the roof. I took it out and replaced it with a nest box when she was due. The kits are 2 wks old now and since they should be foraging out soon, should I change them out of the nest box and put the house back in? Or is the open top of the nest box more condusive to nursing rather than the house? At what point is the nest box no longer relavant to the kits?

 

[Marinea]

I take my nest boxes out at about 2-3 weeks, and put in a three sided box (top, sides and back). The doe nurses the kits fine and the kits lounge on top. The box is about 11 inches tall. so plenty of room for the doe to get in.

If your "house" can easily be gotten into by the doe, I think it would be fine. Worse comes to worse, I might remove the entire front panel and just have a 3 sided box.