Oreo is going to be a mom very soon. She is fast at work preparing her nest box.
Are you wondering how to build a rabbit nest box? You are not alone!
Though you can purchase a nest box for rabbits, it is a good idea to know how to build one.
You might need a nest box (also known as a kindling box) urgently if you suddenly learn that your rabbit is pregnant.
Unless you are watching for signs of pregnancy, your doe may not show signs or symptoms of pregnancy until a few days before she is due. This leaves you little time to prepare.
Before purchasing or learning how to build a rabbit nest box, there are some things you can look for to confirm if your rabbit is pregnant.
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How to determine if your rabbit is pregnant:
“Multiplying like rabbits” is not just an expression. One doe can have as many as 60 babies in one year!
What can be difficult is knowing if your rabbit is pregnant. With a gestational period of only 31 days, you will want to know as soon as possible so you can prepare for the litter.
Fortunately, there are some changes you might observe if your rabbit is pregnant.
If you look for these, it is unlikely you will be surprised by a litter of kits.
1. Nesting behavior: This is one of the first behavioral signs that might indicate your doe is pregnant. She will start to build a nest with hay and wood chips. Then, right before the babies arrive, she will start pulling fur for the nest to keep the kits warm.
Oreo’s nest made of hay
Oreo started pulling fur only hours before she delivered at 5 AM on 8/24/2020
2. Aggressive behavior: If your doe starts to show more aggressive behavior, this might be a sign she is pregnant. the better you know her temperament, the more likely you will be able to notice this change.
3. Palpating the abdomen: This physical finding is the most definitive way to know if your doe is pregnant, short of getting an ultrasound. It is the technique breeders and veterinarians use to confirm pregnancy.
Keep in mind that Rabbits don’t like to be handled on their underside, so this will take some practice.
When your rabbit is around two weeks pregnant, gently palpate the abdomen, and you will start to feel the kits in the horns of the uterus. Rabbits have a bicornuate uterus.
There are two horns and this is why they can have such large litters.
The diagram below illustrates why the pregnant uterus will feel like “marbles” with the kits lined up in each horn.
Is She Really Pregnant? How To Palpate Your Rabbit
By the third week, it can be much easier to feel the kits moving around. To prevent harming the babies, you want to be very gentle when palpating the abdomen.
During the last week of pregnancy, you may even be able to feel the kits kicking.
Once you have determined that your doe is going to give birth in the next week or two, you will want to help her prepare.
She will know what to do as long as she has what she needs. What she will need more than anything, is a nest box!
Before we start to discuss how to build a rabbit nest box, it is important to know a little bit more about nest boxes, in general.
The following, are some of the common questions people ask when selecting a nest box.
What kind of nest box is best?
Many people who are first-time rabbit owners ask this question as they start o prepare for their first kindle of kits.
The simple answer is: Any kind of nest box will do! But let’s be real, when it comes to most pet owners, from hamsters to GreatDane’s, “any kind” won’t do!
There are a number of types of kindling boxes you can purchase or make for your mom-to-be and her kits. There are different configurations and various materials used to make kindle boxes.
Our choice and the best way to learn how to build a nest box is to start with the classic wooden box with a screen mesh floor. Mesh is best because the kits will be staying in the box for up to 2 weeks.
The accumulation of urine-soaked hay and rabbit waste will make the nesting box dirty and it will start to emit a strong ammonia smell.
In addition, if the box is not kept fairly clean, kits can get infections if they are left in the nesting box too long.
The following instructions on how to build a rabbit nest box are not difficult if you enjoy small construction projects.
The most difficult part of the project is cutting the five pieces of wood.
We will discuss some options if this is a concern.
How to Build a Rabbit Nest Box
Tools required:
- Screwdriver
- Saw
- Sandpaper
- Hammer
- Ruler
- Razorblade knife
- Wirecutter
- Drill (optional)
Supplies:
- A sheet of plywood or siding measuring 2’ x 4’
- 1” Wood Screws (14)
- Wood glue
- Sharpie marker
- ½” x ½” wire mesh
STEP 1:
If you are planning to make one nest box you can draw the five pieces for the nest box directly on the board you have selected.
If you plan to make a number of nest boxes, you will want to make a template or stencil (below).
This extra step will take a little more time but it will save you a lot of time and effort in the long run.
To make a template or stencil, we used foam board. If you want a more durable template you can make it out of a thin piece of wood or cut a template out of sheet metal using a wire cutter.
The dimensions of the five pieces of wood required for the nest
The box is illustrated below: (rabbit nest box dimensions)
- Front and Back
- 2 Sides
- Top
Note: As you learn how to build a rabbit nest box, whatever material you choose to build your nest box with is fine, as long as it is sturdy, non-toxic, and not easily destroyed by your rabbit’s sharp teeth.
Even wooden kindle boxes get chewed on a lot.
This is also why you do not want to use any toxic finishing materials such as paints, stains, or varnishes.
STEP 2:
To conserve wood, place the templates and stencils on the wood leaving the least amount of scrap wood.
Then trace out the pieces with a sharpie and carefully cut them out. Most nesting box plans will come with a template. Using it
in this way will be more cost-efficient.
Since the cuts are all straight cuts you can use a hand saw, skill saw or jigsaw.*
*When selecting the material you will be using, keep this step in mind. Cutting the pieces is the most difficult part of the project.
If you will not be using an electric saw and want an easier option, use ¼ inch plywood and a hand saw. There are also metal nesting boxes you can purchase or make.
Though they are easier to clean and last longer, they are more often used for commercial purposes.
Most small-scale breeders and pet owners prefer nesting boxes made out of wood.
STEP 3:
Prepare each piece before assembling the nest box. Then loosely put the pieces together to make sure they fit well.
- Sand each piece to prevent splinters and get rid of sharp edges. Kits are very “fragile” when they are born and need a place that is free of any objects that could pierce their skin. It is no wonder, that mom pulls fur off to line the nesting box prior to delivery. The fur protects her kits and keeps them warm (102 degrees).
- Drill 2 holes along the edges that will be attached. We are going to use screws and glue for this box. Another option is to use nails with glue. What is most important is to use glue whether you choose to use nails or screws. The glue will make your nest box more durable.
STEP 4:
- Now that the pieces are prepared, put a screw in each of the holes drilled in step 3. As you attach each piece, put a bead of glue down the edge before screwing the pieces together.
STEP 5:
- Cut a piece of ½” x ½” wire mesh for the floor.
- Staple the mesh in place making sure not to leave any sharp ends.
Conclusion:
Awesome, you are all done, and for under $10. Now you know how to build a rabbit nest box!
If you plan to make more than one nest box you will want to consider purchasing a 4’ x 8’ sheet of wood.
Each nest box will then cost well under $5 from start to finish.
If you plan to purchase large sheets of plywood or siding, remember to plan how you will get them home.
Most lumberyards will cut 4’ x 8’ sheets in half. You could even have them do three cuts leaving you with 4 sheets of 2’ x 4’.
BTW Oreo loves her Midwest Wabbitat cage
Midwest Wabbitat Folding Rabbit Cage
If you are planning to breed rabbits, your water usage is going to increase.
Rain barrels are a great way to increase your water supply without increasing your water bill.
Check out our post: 10 DIY Rain Barrel Ideas For Your Homestead
FAQ’s
1. How big should rabbit nesting boxes be?
The ideal size for a rabbit nesting box is 18 inches long, 10 inches wide, and 10 inches high. This is big enough to give your doe enough room to manage her kits until the box is no longer needed.
If you handle newborn rabbits will the mother kill them?
This is a myth! Rabbits are protective of their kits and will prefer you don’t touch them, but they do not reject them if you touch them.
This myth likely came about because there are situations when does will eat their kits. But it is not because they have been handed.
2. Why do new mother rabbits eat their babies?
As strange as it seems, there are a few reasons why a mother rabbit might eat her new kits:
- She is more likely to eat them if she is under 6 months old.
- Stress and overwhelm in first-time moms can cause a doe to eat her babies. This is very likely because rabbits are prey animals and are already in a constant state of fight-or-flight, so the additional stress of pregnancy may cause this behavior.
- Since rabbits are prey to many animals they are fastidious about not leaving any scents that might attract predators. Like other animals, they eat their placentas so eating their babies can be a survival instinct if they feel threatened.
- First-time moms are more likely to eat their kits for essentially the same reason, the stress of new babies.
- From a survival standpoint, if food has been scarce, new moms might eat their babies for nutritional support so they can breed again and nurse their kits.
3. Why do rabbits thumb?
Rabbits thump when they sense fear from something they smell, see or hear. Even pet rabbits will thumb when it seems they are not frightened. This is often because they are upset about something, Thumping is an activity they use to make noise since they do not typically make vocal sounds.
Conclusion:
We hope this article gives you a start if you are looking for nesting box plans. It is an incredible feeling once you become experienced with how to build a rabbit nest box.
Even if you believe you don’t have the necessary woodworking skills … give it a try!
If you have the resources and a few tools you may come to enjoy constructing wood projects that can serve many needs at a very minimal cost. This is one of the best rabbit nesting boxes you can make for an affordable price.