How To Use Rabbit Nest Boxes

Using The Nest Boxes You Built

I place the box into the doe's cage about three days before kindling (two if I know the doe is the type to soil it or destroy it if placed too early; earlier for those does who plead with me with mouths full of hay, ready to build their nests). In cold weather, I fold several thicknesses of unprinted newsprint and place it in the bottom. In warm weather, I skip the paper. Then I fill the nest box with hay. Other materials are suitable for nest boxes as well, including shavings, shredded paper, and straw. I make an indentation in the hay in the far back of the nest box to encourage the doe to make her nest in the back where the kits will be more protected from the weather and from the doe's jumping in and out of the box. I make sure the doe has access to additional hay so that she can customize her nest before she lines her nest with fur pulled from her chest, tummy and legs.

If you have a doe who tears the paper out of the nest box, just use the hay and let her make her nest. Then lift out her work of art and put the paper under afterwards. I only have one doe who tends to do this; the others never look that far under the hay. I did have a doe last summer who took out every piece of hay and carefully replaced it. I must admit, she did a much better job than I!

At nine days I change the nest material, saving the fur in cold weather and disposing of it in warm. I keep the hay in the front of the box low at this point, to discourage babies from wandering out before they are able to get back in. I replace the hair once the hay is changed when the weather is cold. I have found that the day or so after changing the hay is a time when babies are likely to be able to wander out of the box and freeze. So I try to keep an extra eye on the nest boxes for a couple of days after changing the hay.

After that, I replace the paper, when used, and hay every few days, depending on the number of babies and how soiled/wet the hay gets. At three weeks, I remove the box altogether, at two weeks in warm weather. In very cold weather, I may provide the kits with some hay for the first few nights until they are acclimated to life without their nest box.

Between litters, I wash the box (the mother will undoubtedly soil the top more than the babies do on the inside). Then I (who am I kidding? My husband does this part!) disinfect it with one part bleach and five parts water. When there is sunshine, he leaves them out to let the ultraviolet rays help with the disinfecting. We then hang them on the shed wall and wait for the next go round.

How To Use This Nest Box

This website is owned and maintained by Laurie Stroupe of The Nature Trail Rabbitry. Copyright 2005 The Nature Trail Rabbitry. No portion may be used without written permission. For pet rabbit information, please visit Precious Pet Rabbits.

How To Buy Great Show Rabbits

Breeding Holland Lop Rabbits

Holland Lop Rabbit Fur

Holland Lop Rabbit FAQs

Coping with Diarrhea

Rabbit Names

A Well-stocked Bunny Barn - List

How To Build Nest Boxes (Kindling Boxes)

How to Build Hanging Rabbit Cages

Magnet System of Rabbit Barn Management

Glossary of Rabbit Terms

Holland Lop Breeder's Prefix Index

How To Use Rabbit Nest Boxes

Using The Nest Boxes You Built