What to do with the nesting box?

[bunnychild]

This might be a dumb question, but I must ask. I have noticed on youtube videos and some breeders I know that they take the nesting boxes with kits out of the cages during the day. Why is this? Should I be doing this? I have been leaving the litters in the cages with the mothers. Thank you lovelies, for the help.

 

[AmysMacdog]

I used do this during weather that was to hot or cold but now I do it so I know when/if babies are fed and none are accidently pulled out of the box when the mother leaves the nest. I don't have to but I like doing it. Its easier for me to spot trouble earlier than I might otherwise and its fun. My mothers are great about it. I only do it for the first week or two depending on the weather.

 

[bunnychild]

So where do you put them?

 

[AmysMacdog]

I take the nestbox into the house and put them in a spare bedroom. We have central heat/air so it stays in the mid 70s in there. They stay comfy and my mothers don't seem to mind and one of my does is so cute when I bring her box out to her. She's so happy!!! She hops back and forth all excited, I put the box in and goes right in and feeds her babies. When she's done I take it back out. Other does are more oh hum about it and some just aren't good about this method at all. Its depends on the doe.

 

[bunnychild]

Would it be okay if I took them out in the morning and left them there at night? At least in the summer.

 

[AmysMacdog]

Sure! In the summertime I sometimes do that. Then in the winter I leave them out during the day and bring them in at night when its going to get to cold for them. Alot of folks on here have good success with winter litters much farther north than where I am in Georgia. Their rabbits just build really good nest and the babies stay warm but I think here in Georgia a good bit of our winter days are in the 50s and then nose dives after dark to below freezing. So my rabbits often lose litters in the winter so I just bring them in. Its just less stressful for me to know they are fed, warm and safe inside.
I generally do this only for the first week to 10 days, just until they are furred out and well started.

 

[bunnychild]

I have a wool breed so the temperature isn't to bad for them in the winter, but it gets a little to hot in the summer for them.

 

[AmysMacdog]

Oh neat! What breed?

 

[JolieLapinFarms]

I don't bring our nest boxes in unless I'm cleaning the nest box, replacing hay, or checking out the kits.

 

[Miss M]

I like your name, JolieLapinFarms!

Same here, I don't bring them in except for cleaning or playing with checking on the kits.

 

[ottersatin]

I breed my Rabbits all year long,
I usually leave the boxes with the Dams
hoping they build an adequate nest.
i supply Grass-hay but also add some
Pine shavings in extreme cold snaps.
When a sudden freeze is expected I may
bring in a nestbox or two of the especially young ones.
I am in Upstate N.Y. So in can get very COLD suddenly.
Hey, we all must do what we feel is best for our Herds.
Ottersatin. ldtimer:

 

[skysthelimit]

I bring mines in. I started doing it because they were new moms and I was a new breeder. Then I did it because it was a bitter cold winter and I had some strange does.
Now I do it because I enjoy watching the litters. Nest boxes stay in my bedroom, go out in the morning and come back with me at night.

 

[grumpy]

The nest-boxes never leave the rabbitry.
Even through the winter months,
the boxes and kits stay with their mother.
Just make sure they've plenty of straw when they kindle
and that they've pulled plenty of fur.

Keep extra fur in a plastic coffee can.
If a mama comes up short add some from the can.
Mix it in good with their own fur.

grumpy.

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

My rabbits are in a lean-to, and Michigan winters can be brutal...so winter litters will come inside when it's cold and go out briefly to nurse. This past summer there were a few days where it got over 100 degrees out (WAY TOO HOT!!!) and my does kept pulling more and MORE fur...I was worried they were going to cook their kits! So I brought them inside a lot during the day, left them out at night.

 

[bunnychild]

Oh neat! What breed?

Jersey Woolies I am in love with them.<br /><br />__________ Sat Sep 07, 2013 3:53 pm __________<br /><br />I think I might start to do this in the extreme weather. I have a shelf in my closet that will keep them away from cats/dogs. I had a foster litter kept here before.

 

[AmysMacdog]

Awww Jersey Woolies are adorable. Seen lots of pictures but I've never met one but have always heard they are sweet.

 

[bunnychild]

They are sweet but they are also feisty. They are a lot like me.