What kind of "nest" for mama?

[Genipher]

Does anyone know if shredded newspaper would be okay for nesting material?

 

[oneacrefarm]

Does anyone know if shredded newspaper would be okay for nesting material?

I wouldn't use that. If it gets wet it will be mush and you don't want the kits or mom trying to eat it with all the chemicals in it. Grass hay or shavings is best.

Shannon

 

[Genipher]

Thanks for the info on newspaper.

Will I need to change the straw after the kits are born or do you just let it be until they're able to hop out of the nest? I swear, I have the dirtiest does and I just can't see them keeping the nest clean (i.e. not pooping/peeing in it).

 

[Ms. Research]

Thanks for the info on newspaper.

Will I need to change the straw after the kits are born or do you just let it be until they're able to hop out of the nest? I swear, I have the dirtiest does and I just can't see them keeping the nest clean (i.e. not pooping/peeing in it).

You do need to keep the straw dry so removing wet patches would be the best for the kits. And replacing it with dry. Before you know it the kits will be hopping out of the box and then you can remove the nest box entirely.

If you don't have enough doe hair for the nest, cotton balls were also mentioned.

 

[oneacrefarm]

Thanks for the info on newspaper.

Will I need to change the straw after the kits are born or do you just let it be until they're able to hop out of the nest? I swear, I have the dirtiest does and I just can't see them keeping the nest clean (i.e. not pooping/peeing in it).

You need to remove the dirty stuff after she has them, then change it out in few days. I thoroughly check the nest box each day, since a dead kit can get mashed/pushed under or into a corner and rot really fast. I change it out again in a week or so. More often if the doe pees/poops in it. Hay is better to use, straw tends to be kind of stiff and "pokey" for little kits.

 

[norcal]

Dumb question...... Do you count the day they are bred? Or start counting the day after they are bred?
I think our Chin had them on day 30 last time, not counting the day bred. She's already nesting & it's only day 27.

 

[doubled]

Go to this link for a Rabbit gestation table just look for the date you bred her and read across to the next month and there is your due date, put nest in 2 days prior, no guessing. I been useing one like this forever, well almost forever, LOL

http://ketapangbunnies.blogspot.com/2009/09/rabbit-pregnancy-gestation-table.html

 

[dtinnan]

I have a large open-topped plastic "tub" that, I think, will fit in our rabbit cage. Would this sort of thing work as a nesting box?

my uncle told me not to put plastic in the pen (feed bowls, boxes, etc) he said the rabbits would chew them up and eat the plastic.

has anyone else experienced this?

 

[norcal]

I have a large open-topped plastic "tub" that, I think, will fit in our rabbit cage. Would this sort of thing work as a nesting box?

my uncle told me not to put plastic in the pen (feed bowls, boxes, etc) he said the rabbits would chew them up and eat the plastic.

has anyone else experienced this?

They make the corner feeders out of plastic. I saw them chew on it, but it was too hard for them to break or even get a piece/shaving off. I would guess it would have to be pretty hard plastic though. Just an FYI, the rabbits jumped on the plastic corner feeder & they broke the "holder" pieces pretty quickly, I wouldn't recommend them.

 

[norcal]

Go to this link for a Rabbit gestation table just look for the date you bred her and read across to the next month and there is your due date, put nest in 2 days prior, no guessing. I been useing one like this forever, well almost forever, LOL

http://ketapangbunnies.blogspot.com/2009/09/rabbit-pregnancy-gestation-table.html

Oh, today's the day. We'll see. Thanks for the link.