Tip nest box over?

[CoolWaterRabbitry]

Well I have read in a few places of breeders tipping the box over for the babies at a certain age. What age is it? I have a litter of 3 week olds and 2 week olds.

The 3 week olds, dwarf hotots,are almost living outside the box already. They have no fear and I've never seen them run back to the box for safety. They like to sleep in the box still, but more often then not they sleep in momma's hay feeder. Now, I have two 2 week old havana runts in with them. They are just starting to explore out of the box but are still a bit small. So that's something to think about.

The 2 week olds are not as active but are getting there.

The hotots are also starting to eat mom's pellets and hay quite readily.

It might not be now, but I'm curious to see if anyone else tips the box on it's side and at what time?

 

[whaleyk98]

I usually do it at 3 weeks old...or when they are hopping in and out of it.

 

[mistyjr]

What does it mean?

 

[lelanatty]

I don't tip the box over. I just let the babies hop in and out. My nestboxes have wire bottoms, so it wouldn't be very good for a hiding place for the babies if you can always see them

 

[CoolWaterRabbitry]

mistyjr wrote:

What does it mean?

It's when you tip the nest box over onto it's side so the babies can get in and out of it easier and still use it for safety before its removed. (I believe)



Thanks all.

 

[pamnock]

Dwarf Hotots are out of the box earlier than other breeds (their eyes open as early as 8 days!) I tip the box over when they start venturing outmay betoo small to get back in.

 

[mistyjr]

ohh, I see. Yes I do this when they are about 3-4 weeks old.

 

[Tessie]

I just let my babies do what nature tells them. But I did have to put a brick in front of the box so they could get back in

Tessie

 

[leo9lionheads]

I did this yesterday with 2 litters of two weeks old as they kept coming out but couldn't get back in.

 

[CoolWaterRabbitry]

pamnock wrote:

Dwarf Hotots are out of the box earlier than other breeds (their eyes open as early as 8 days!) I tip the box over when they start venturing outmay betoo small to get back in.

lol Before I thought about tipping it they learned how to be little 'ninja bunnies' and scaled up the baby wire right by the box and would belly flop in. lol They're 3 weeks today and can hop in and out (even land on momma's head) well.