What kind of "nest" for mama?

[shawn MN]

We are keeping our pregnant doe in her cage for now. she we move her in a more comfortable place with more staw or wood shaving when she is close to birthing? Or perhaps a little blanket for here to maest a nest out of. This is our 1st time having a litter. And will her milk sacks get bigger like the rest of the mammals? Then we'd know for sure if she is prego.

 

[woodleighcreek]

We are keeping our pregnant doe in her cage for now. she we move her in a more comfortable place with more staw or wood shaving when she is close to birthing? Or perhaps a little blanket for here to maest a nest out of. This is our 1st time having a litter. And will her milk sacks get bigger like the rest of the mammals? Then we'd know for sure if she is prego.

How many days has it been since you have bread her? At 28 days put in a next box (they have some nice ones at tractor supply) and put some wood shavings at the bottom. Give her some hay and she will put it in her mouth, carry it to the box, and build a nest. On day 31 she will kindle. Her milk sacks will not get bigger, the only way to tell is to palpate or wait until day 31 and see if she kindles.

 

[brentr]

Don't give her a blanket; only straw or hay or wood shavings (not sawdust) for nesting material. Rabbits aren't like dogs/cats, they need material to build a nest, and they can't do that with a blanket. As the other responder said, put the nest box in on day 28 from when she was bred. If she is pregnant, she'll likely start building a nest right away (although some rabbits don't nest until just before they give birth), and you can expect kits on day 31-32.

There are some good plans on the internet for building nest boxes if you don't want to purchase them from a store. Just google "rabbit nest box plans" and you'll get all sorts of info.

Good Luck!

 

[woodleighcreek]

I greatly like the 4-H plan. http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/documents/rabbitnestingbox.pdf

 

[shawn MN]

Thanks for all the help!!!! I love BYH!!

 

[oneacrefarm]

I greatly like the 4-H plan. http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/documents/rabbitnestingbox.pdf

I am not following how that pegboard is supposed to "slide out"....?

Shannon

 

[woodleighcreek]

I don't use the pegboard. I just nail plywood to the bottom.

 

[lastfling]

Mine have the 1/2 x 1" wire on the bottom and I insert a cardboard liner over that.

 

[Genipher]

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?

 

[oneacrefarm]

If you drill drain holes in it and make sure it stays full of hay, it should be fine. You may have to zip tie it to the side of the cage to keep it in place....