Nesting Box Preperation

We have had many individuals contact us about how to best prepare a nestbox for a doe to kindle (deliver babies) in. Below you will find step by step directions with photos of how we prepare our nestboxes.

Step 1
Always start with a clean, dry nestbox. We prefer wooden nestboxes.

Add a thick layer of dry pine shavings. This helps with absorbancy and warmth.

Pack the shavings in tight and thick. We use a good 2 or 3 inches.

Step 2
We take a large handful of hay and make a U shape at the entrance to the box. We find that this helps to really hold the hay in place.

Step 3
Using 2 or 3 handfuls of hay I pack the hay into the rest of the box. I use my fist to twist and tunnel the hay towards the back of the box.

Using my hand I make a sloping hole towards the back of the box. It makes a sort of tunnel. This encourages the doe to burrow towards the back of the box.

Step 4
Here is the nestbox complete and prepared for the doe. When I give the box to the doe, I give her a good handful of hay. She will often nest with this. I think that this discourages her from rearranging and dismantling the entire nestbox.

Step 5
This step is completed by the doe. :-) Hopefully around the 30th day, you will find the nestbox full of warm fur. The doe has kindled.

Step 6
Count the babies and remove any that did not survive. What colors do we have here? This is the most exciting part! Any dilutes?

Step 10, 11, 12, 13, 14........
We check on the babies frequently to see how they are progressing. If they have big round bellies and pop like jumping beans then they are most likely healthy and well fed. You will rarely see the doe nursing her kits.

At about 10 days the kits will have fur and will be opening their eyes. This is when we clean out the entire box. We save some of the fur but replace all the shavings and hay. With healthy stock and a great mom, mother nature will take care of providing you with some great rabbits. Best of luck with your bunny birthing experience.