Litter outside of nest box

[FogCity]

I recently adopted a NZ from a buddy who lives on a farm. He raises his rabbit communal style outside in a huge fenced in area that has an underground area for shelter. When his does have litters they do so without a nest box. The one that I got was pregnant. I put the next box in the cage. When I got up this morning there was a nest outside the box with 8 kits in it. The kits were alive but cold. I transferee the nest to the box and brought them inside to warm up. When they warm up I plan on putting the nest box back in the cage. I guess there is a chance that she wont know how to use the nest box and wont feed her kits. Any suggestions on how to give this situation the best fighting chance?

 

[woahlookitsme]

Maybe move the doe and babies inside so she can keep them in a homemade nest her way?

 

[GorbyJobRabbits]

Yeah I agree with the above. Keep them in a cooler part of the house.

 

[FogCity]

I moved everyone to a large hutch which has a partial solid floor I use for my flemish. It doesn't get that cold out here so they should be ok as long as she nurses...as of this morning she had not touched them.

 

[woahlookitsme]

You will know if shes nursing in another day or so. newborns usually cannot last two days without being fed

 

[FogCity]

Everyone has ping pong ball bellies this morning

 

[woahlookitsme]

good to hear