08-31-2005, 08:14 AM
What kind of bedding is safe to use for a doe and her litter? Right now I have available grass hay and also some wood chips. Before we have always used straw. I was just curious what can be used.
08-31-2005, 08:14 AM
08-31-2005, 11:39 AM
What you\'re using sounds good. I use a layer of shaving in the bottom (thicker layer in winter) and grass hay on top of that. (I REALLY stuff the hay in winter so the doe literally has to \"tunnel\" in to make a nest.)
I have used straw in the past, but prefer grass hay for softness and \"mixability\". I prefer the finer shavings, but the coarser type is OK.
I don\'t like excelsior because it can wrap around baby bunnies. Paper is too icky - not really that absorbant and if there is ink, it will be even messier. Peat can stain coats. Sawdust is TOO fine - can get into lungs.
One thing I have used that I really like, is the natural, unbleached cotton (KW Cages sells it). I have used it when does pulled insufficient fur or when they kindled on the wire. I have even picked up newborn kits from the cage floor, made a depression in the back of the nest box, mixed the cotton with the bedding, and deposited the kits in the nest, covering them with a \"blanket\" of shredded cotton. The doe took care of the kits and three days later, pulled her own fur to mix with the bedding I had provided.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
I have used straw in the past, but prefer grass hay for softness and \"mixability\". I prefer the finer shavings, but the coarser type is OK.
I don\'t like excelsior because it can wrap around baby bunnies. Paper is too icky - not really that absorbant and if there is ink, it will be even messier. Peat can stain coats. Sawdust is TOO fine - can get into lungs.
One thing I have used that I really like, is the natural, unbleached cotton (KW Cages sells it). I have used it when does pulled insufficient fur or when they kindled on the wire. I have even picked up newborn kits from the cage floor, made a depression in the back of the nest box, mixed the cotton with the bedding, and deposited the kits in the nest, covering them with a \"blanket\" of shredded cotton. The doe took care of the kits and three days later, pulled her own fur to mix with the bedding I had provided.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
09-25-2005, 01:27 AM
Hi there what i found was that the rabbit built a mound in the corner but she was using fur from herself and the buck and when the were born she coverd so the were warm enough at the time all i was using was nomal sawdust and hay that you can buy from Pet Stores.
hope that helps you ;)diane442
hope that helps you ;)diane442