summer nest box

[chickenchaps]

Does anybody have a picture of a good warm weather nest box? I plan to breed my does next month and it will still be warm in Florida when they kindle. Would a wooden box be too hot for them? Or should I make one out of wire? Or half wood half wire?

Any design tips or ideas, or even better, pictures?

Thanks!

 

[brentr]

I don't have pics to show, but several comments in BYH on other nest box threads indicate lots of folks go wit the open top box; some say they put wood on the bottom, some use wire. The main difference between winter and summer is the amount of nesting material they put in the box. In summer, not as much is needed. I also gather that most folks don't have rabbits kindling in the grip of winter.

I have NZ rabbits, and I built a permanent nest box on the back of the hutches I made. The dimensions would be roughly the same for a removable nest box (some folks will say larger, some smaller than these dimensions). 11"W x 15"L x 6" H (open top)

 

[chickenchaps]

Great, thanks for the reply! So if I design a regular wood one, just not put as much stuffin inside, that would be sufficient... good. Thanks!

 

[Mea]

A very good rabbit friend suggested using a cardboard box. We tried it and i am quite pleased with it. One i cut down so it is wide open, the other i made an opening in one end. Both does have been as happy as clams with these. the nice thing is... should they get soiled... they are easy to change out and dispose of. We do have good wooden ones for winter use... but i may keep on using the cardboard boxes for a while.

 

[chickenchaps]

Do you think the cardboard box is cooler than a wooden one? Or is it cut so its more open to be cooler? I could find boxes. I use boxes for brooding chicks, it works great for the same reason. Toss it and get a new one, no cleaning. lol

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Mea]

Do you think the cardboard box is cooler than a wooden one? Or is it cut so its more open to be cooler?

Thanks for the suggestion!

Yes i think they might be a bit cooler. And Yes again they can be cut to be more open. Adaptable... that's the word i was looking for. You could cut them for any type usage.

 

[dewey]

Wire with a secure, disposable lining is great for summer. I make my wood boxes and would use the open top style if wood boxes are used in the summer, but quite a while back I switched to inexpensive rubbermaid type open top totes because they were lighter weight, much cooler, easier for me to handle, and much easier to clean and dry.

I've used mostly wood over the years but have been very happy so far with the "plastic" totes and haven't had any big issues with chewing (mine get wood and things to chew on & play with). I cut a rounded out scoop in 1 side and drill many small holes in the bottom. Wood is much warmer for the winter, but I think I'll never go back to any other type for warmer weather use.

 

[Ms. Research]

Wire with a secure, disposable lining is great for summer. I make my wood boxes and would use the open top style if wood boxes are used in the summer, but quite a while back I switched to inexpensive rubbermaid type open top totes because they were lighter weight, much cooler, easier for me to handle, and much easier to clean and dry.

I've used mostly wood over the years but have been very happy so far with the "plastic" totes and haven't had any big issues with chewing (mine get wood and things to chew on & play with). I cut a rounded out scoop in 1 side and drill many small holes in the bottom. Wood is much warmer for the winter, but I think I'll never go back to any other type for warmer weather use.

Thanks for the input. I like the "plastic" totes idea. I would think they are so much more easier to clean and disinfect after each birthing.

 

[dewey]

You're welcome. I was a bit concerned that they'd be able to tip them over (NZ's) but not a single one has (out of many litters).

The does are able to scoot them around, though. That could be good or bad, I guess. Some move them where they want them to be instead of in corners where I place them. I thought they were doing it on accident, but many times I have moved the box back to where I wanted it, and they almost immediately scoot it back to where they had it, lol. They always position it so the front opening allows less air flow or more air flow.

A quick-clip to hold the boxes where I desire is handy when the kits are old enough to come and go (so no kits get left behind the box), but seeing how the does like to move the boxes around for best kit comfort before that makes me wonder if they've ever been frustrated by not being able to do that with the heavy wood boxes.

The totes also stack inside each other so they take up much less space. They may not be for everybody but I sure like them.

 

[Ms. Research]

You're welcome. I was a bit concerned that they'd be able to tip them over (NZ's) but not a single one has (out of many litters).

The does are able to scoot them around, though. That could be good or bad, I guess. Some move them where they want them to be instead of in corners where I place them. I thought they were doing it on accident, but many times I have moved the box back to where I wanted it, and they almost immediately scoot it back to where they had it, lol. They always position it so the front opening allows less air flow or more air flow.

A quick-clip to hold the boxes where I desire is handy when the kits are old enough to come and go (so no kits get left behind the box), but seeing how the does like to move the boxes around for best kit comfort before that makes me wonder if they've ever been frustrated by not being able to do that with the heavy wood boxes.

The totes also stack inside each other so they take up much less space. They may not be for everybody but I sure like them.

I think you are right about the frustration of the wooden boxes. If does like to rearrange their nest (hay and fur) the way they like it, it would be logical that they would want their nesting box where they want it. Like you stated with the air flow. A doe knows about air flow and how it could chill herself. Instinct, which then the drive to protect her kits would kick in. And the quick-clip could be done once the doe has found the right place for the tote. Definitely like the idea of easy cleaning and storage.