My doe had her babies outside the nest box!

by Stacey
(Cheshire, UK)

My doe had two kits yesterday tea time but outside the nest box so I have put them in the nest box and left the box where she gave birth to them. Have I made a wrong move will she still feed them? She is a first time mum and I'm worried she will now neglect them. It's just as there are only two kits I didn't want them getting separated and getting cold. Could you please give me some advice.


***Karen Sez***
Stacey, you did just what we would have done, and for all the same reasons. By now you should know if the doe is feeding them -- by nice round tummies.

With first-time moms, more than likely all will go well, but there's always a tiny concern, even if she places her kits in the nest box.

Hopefully all goes well for you!
God bless you,
K

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May 28, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Rabbit baby birthed outside the next box
by: Anonymous

My doe had a baby outside the next box, even though she made her nest inside the corner of the nest box! Her baby was dead when we found it and it didn't look fully formed. It was on the bare wire of the hutch and she was cleaning it off when we found it. That was the first babies she had, is that normal?

***** Karen Sez *****
Well, I can't say it is normal to have a baby outside the nest, but it certainly happens now and again. If the doe was still cleaning it, the kit may have died while still in the womb, and therefore failed to develop completely.

Wishing you the best with the next rabbit pregnancy!
Aug 17, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Nest Material
by: Anonymous

My doe also has done the same thing...should I use fresh sawdust/straw to make a nest inside the nestbox or should I use the sawdust/straw that she made the nest with?

***** Karen Sez *****
Anon, we'd see if we could scoop the doe's nest as intact as possible, and drop it into a nest box. We'd also supplement with fresh nesting materials if necessary, in order that the kits will stay warm enough. (This is less of a concern in the middle of summer.) Once everything is set up, then put the kits back in the nest. Hopefully the doe will get a clue. :-)
Sep 13, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		kits outside nest box
by: Anonymous

You did right. I'm a novice and haven't bred that many litters but I handle my babies right from the start and take them in and out often so there shouldn't be any issues. I would want to make sure the kits were warm too and if the mamma keeps pulling them out...just keep putting them back in. A light source could provide some warmth but watch that it isn't too close or too hot.

Becca
Sep 13, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		RE My doe had her babies outside the nest box!
by: Silver Desert Rabbitry

That is good you did put them inside the nest box. Just keep an eye on them, and if they do not look like they are being fed, you can go ahead and bottle feed them. But, if you do so, always put the babies back with the mom.

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