Yet again........peeing in the nest box question.

fuzzy9 · Apr 26, 2012

I know this is a big topic lately, but I want to specifically ask a question. Normally, if I have a first time doe who uses the nest box as a litter box, it's usually only in the beginning, before they kindle, and it stops when the kits are born. I have a doe who is peeing in the nest box, at the end by the opening, and her kits are 2 weeks old. She wasn't doing this at first, or when the nest box was empty. I'm assuming she's doing it when she nurses, and I'm also assuming she's doing it because she smells the urine from the kits.

When I put the nest box in this does cage, there was nothing in that corner of the litter pan, it wasn't used as a potty spot. So I really think it's because she's smelling the kits urine. I just changed this does nest box yesterday, and it's saturated already today. She is a first time mom, she was bred at 6 month of age. She's the one that didn't get her milk in at first, and we lost half the litter.

Anyway, my question is very specifically, with something like this situation, do they typically overcome the urge to pee in the nest box? My thought is to give her another chance, and hope it doesn't reoccur, but this is something I am not willing to deal with.

MaggieJ · Apr 26, 2012

I don't know the answer to this one, Geri, but it sounds like a reasonable theory.

I suggest you give her one more chance. It's a very bad habit, of course, so if she doesn't overcome it, I'd send her to freezer camp. In the meantime, putting those wood pellets in that end of the box might help absorb the urine.

fuzzy9 · Apr 26, 2012

Well, I wasn't planning on breeding her back to early, but if this is the situation, and she's not going to get better the second time around, I don't want to feed her any longer than I have to. Hoping she will behave a bit better next time around though. :evil:

crittercountry · Apr 26, 2012

I've got a first timer that thinks the nest box is for bathroom use as well. So I feel your frustration. I'm giving her one more chance since she didn't breed last time...if she continues to do it then I'll replace her with one from my two new litters. I've already have to replace 1 or 2....3 won't be a big deal for me. Rabbit stew will tender her up!

MaggieJ · Apr 26, 2012

I have very limited space... a very small colony divided into two doe pens. The buck commutes between them. When I want to raise a replacement doe, I usually save the two most promising, but if they don't do well the first time around or I am disappointed in their kits, it's time for rabbit pie. There are always more rabbits applying for the jobs than there are vacancies.

Mary Ann's Rabbitry · Apr 26, 2012

I give her a smaller box .So she cant sit in it to due her job. As long she dosnt pee on the kits. Then i would give her a nesting box that isnt so long. Just enough room for the babies .

fuzzy9 · Apr 27, 2012

Thanks for the tips. I may try the smaller box, but I have to be honest, I'm really hesitant to keep feeding this doe, if she's just going to continue to be a problem. I have a couple litters I can pull a nice replacement from right now. It makes me mad, because her mom is perfect when it comes to raising her litters, from her first litter till now, so I didn't expect this.