Should I take the nest box out?

[paper_crane2]

I read that some people take the nest box out of the cage when its cold, then put it in only for the doe to feed them. Should I do this? They are in the garage and its about 10 degree Fahrenheit.

If I should take the box out and keep it in a warmer place, then what time should I put it back in and for how long?

They were born today and it doesn't look like they've been fed yet, so should I leave it in until they are fed?

 

[Mickey328]

As long as the doe made a good nest and covers them with fur, and they're piled together and warm, you don't need to move them at all. They're out of the wind and any snow there, so they should do great as long as mama looks after them well.

 

[michaels4gardens]

"for me, and my oppinion"-- 10 degrees is not too cold-- and ,moving the nestbox that soon after they are born could cause some confusion with the doe excepting her litter. --just make sure they are covered well with fur,are all together, [not spread out in diferent parts of the box, ] and have plenty of bedding material, or cardboard under them as well--

 

[Peach]

Just because I was so behind on litters, I buckled and started bringing the babies in when we were reaching below 20-25 degrees. I also have to get some new nesting boxes cause 4 out of my 6 are too big (pickings were slim when I got them and I needed them desperately), so there's too much room and occasionally they got chilled leaving the nest in search of mom. The ones in the proper size always do great, just the big ones have cost me several litters. Can't wait for show season to kick up again to get new ones!

 

[skysthelimit]

I bring them in just because...
the doe could get startled and kill the litter,
the doe could suddenly go psycho for no reason and scrape all the bedding out of the box,
they are so cute,
and who knows?

Probably not needed, but these litters are very valuable to me, so it eases my mind. I've never had a doe not accept the litter when I bring the box back. Generally they jump right into the box and begin nursing.

i bring boxes in in the summer too, I just don't keep them in as long.

 

[paper_crane2]

What time of day should I put the box in? How long should I leave it in if the doe doesn't jump in right away?

 

[AmysMacdog]

I prefer to take my boxes out too. I take mine out at first light and right at sunset and usually the mothers are thrilled to see their babies and jump right in. Most of my does have been great with this. Even first timers do well. I have found with mine that they usually jump right in but if they don't I put them in the box and the baby sounds usually help her settle down to nurse quickly. If she won't stay be sure to examine her to be sure she's ok. Check for mastitis, if she's fine and you know the kits need feeding, put her back in and you can try holding your hand over her eyes and petting her while the kits nurse. I have one doe who is just plain difficult the first week with kits but taking the box out works great for her. :good-luck:

 

[RothsRabbits]

Depends on the weather and size of the kits. Summer time as soon as half the litter jumps out. Winter as long as they need it. Then I change it out with a small wooden frame box to keep them warmer. they can come and go.

 

[michaels4gardens]

I don't take nest boxes out until the babies start to escape, I think it is harder on them to be in a warm house, then go back out into the cold, and back and forth each day. -and --- I don't have time every day to mess with it, - sometimes I work 12 hrs and it is dark when I leave and dark when I get back home.

 

[skysthelimit]

I don't take nest boxes out until the babies start to escape, I think it is harder on them to be in a warm house, then go back out into the cold, and back and forth each day. -and --- I don't have time every day to mess with it, - sometimes I work 12 hrs and it is dark when I leave and dark when I get back home.

First, did anyone notice that gender thing that popped up on the profile? Interesting.

Anywhoo, be careful about temp changes. I do not heat my whole house. I could not afford it. When I was working, I went out in the barn before work, put kits in, and took them out when I left. This house was unheated while I was at work, so it's not any warmer than the barn...I don't bring kits in for warmth but safety. I've had kits freeze to death in the house before.

When I get back, I go out to the barn again, put the box in, and take it out when I leave. Probably a total of 20 minutes each time, depending on whether I'm feeding and watering, messing with does or just watering. Then I take the box with me for the night, and put it on the shelf. If the kits are active, it goes inside the bathtub.