09-11-2006, 04:30 PM
If you have a house box do you need a nesting box for pregnant rabbits? These rabbits are 100% outside and in Alaska. Also, does anyone have any good plans for making either boxes?
09-11-2006, 04:30 PM
09-11-2006, 10:00 PM
Do you mean a hutch? The nesting box is a good way to keep the kits from wiggling away. Once away from the nest and chilled they have a lesser chance of survival. If the hutch was big enough to add a nesting box -I would. As long as there is enough room for both Momma and the
box.
I don\'t have any plans and my husband was going to make some as well. We decided it was better to go with the stainless steel from Bass Company due to the fact they\'d be easier to disinfect and clean.
You can also get heating pads if you are concernd about the cold.
box.
I don\'t have any plans and my husband was going to make some as well. We decided it was better to go with the stainless steel from Bass Company due to the fact they\'d be easier to disinfect and clean.
You can also get heating pads if you are concernd about the cold.
09-12-2006, 02:40 AM
In most cases I would say definitely yes - you need a nest box. If it is really cold where you are, you might even want to consider a super insulated box which basically is a smaller box inside a larger one with straw, shavings, or some other insulating material in the space between. If you have power available, Lorelei\'s suggestion of a nest box heater (placed between the bottom of the box and the cage floor) is a good one.
The only time you can do without a box (especially in your area), would be if the cage or hutch is enclosed on 3 sides and has a solid floor. The floor is then HEAVILY bedded with both shavings and straw or hay. The doe will make a nest in a corner and the kits do fine. (This was the way most people kept rabbits in the beginning and I know of some Flemish breeders who still do. VERY labor intensive, though.)
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
The only time you can do without a box (especially in your area), would be if the cage or hutch is enclosed on 3 sides and has a solid floor. The floor is then HEAVILY bedded with both shavings and straw or hay. The doe will make a nest in a corner and the kits do fine. (This was the way most people kept rabbits in the beginning and I know of some Flemish breeders who still do. VERY labor intensive, though.)
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com