Which way to face nest boxes?

[FourRingCircus]

Silly question, I know, but I can't decide! We are getting ready to go out of town, and I don't know how I should leave them. It is HOT so I have a fan going. Ideally I would like to turn them to the side to block some of the air flow, but I don't want it to get too hot... plus if one falls out it will be easier for my oldest to see it/get to it if it's turned toward the door. I'm nervous leaving everything for a couple days (rarely ever happens, and this is a first without kids!) and want to make things as easy as possible for those looking over the animals (mostly my oldest, but my MIL and DH's cousin will be checking behind him). She has outings planned for them as well so there won't be random midday checks like I currently do either.

 

[Susie570]

I have one comment to make. I put a nestbox in for my crazy nestmaking doe, to satisfy her craving (she's due in about a week I guess), but she was not satisfied with the nestbox until I turned it so tyre side is facing the front of the cage. I guess it felt more private that way. :roll:

Once kits are in the nest, the nestbox can be turned whatever direction you want (I think).

 

[Miss M]

I really wouldn't worry about the fan, with the heat. I've never even thought about it, to be honest. Kits will usually get under the fur and deeper into the nest if they need to be warmer.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I always orient mine to the front of the cage, but my cages are 30" deep and only 24" wide, so that allows more room for the doe to get into the box.

As Miss M said, they will get under the fur if necessary- so just make sure your kids know to pull fur from the doe if she doesn't do so herself.

 

[Schipperkesue]

My rabbits are outdoors, so I put the high end towards the wind to try to keep the bedding in. Then I shove it as far under the roof as possible. Finally the doe moves it to where she wants it.

 

[FourRingCircus]

I always orient mine to the front of the cage, but my cages are 30" deep and only 24" wide, so that allows more room for the doe to get into the box.

As Miss M said, they will get under the fur if necessary- so just make sure your kids know to pull fur from the doe if she doesn't do so herself.

All 3 does pulled Plenty of hair, there's no worry of that :lol: . Neither of the 3 have any on their dewlaps and actually have raw/red spots on the bare skin. It was funny to watch one as she was prepping the nest... she burrowed down into it, and when she turned around and popped out she shook and hair went everywhere!

I did leave them forward facing before I left because the does were squishing themselves between it and the wire when it was turned the other way. I did turn the fan down 1 notch - still some air flow, but not quite as strong on them.