Day 13 Doe Carrying Around Hay

[Tara Brown]

I bred a doe i got off kijiji on May 30th. I noticed today that she has been carrying around hay in her mouth - i have never seen her do that before. She is also digging in her litter box.

Is it normal for does to begin nesting this early? Is that what she is doing?

Also, i have been wondering if having litter boxes in their cages will interfere with putting in a nesting box later? All my bunnies have litter boxes. Will they use them as nest boxes? I am wondering about that...

[PMcNemar]

I don't have a ton of experience with rabbits yet, but I do recall being told that litter boxes are generally a bad idea and waste of space. If you really like using a litter box, then you might consider taking it out at the same time you put a nesting box in for her, because I was told that they will sometimes use the litter box instead of the nesting box when they kindle if they have access to it.

[MaggieJ]

She could be showing signs of a false pregnancy. Sometimes the breeding will trigger hormones even if it doesn't take. Usually this kind of nesting behaviour is at about Day 17 after breeding and resolves itself within about 5 days. But - as with everything about rabbits - experiences vary... she may just be a very early nester. Take notes and see what happens... It will be a guide to her behaviour in future pregnancies.

[ladysown]

it all depends on the rabbit. If she is well used to her litter box I'd leave it in there and give her a nestbox when she asks for it. She may make a nest and then promptly ignore it for the next two weeks. She may be going through a false pregnancy...she may just be feeling the first affects of pregnancy. You will in time, learn what she's like when she's preggers. I would let her mess around with the nest box until she tires of it, Then remove it LEAVING IT INTACT! then three days before she's due give it back to her with a handful or two of straw/hay to add to it.

[Danaus29]

If you have room leave the litter box and put in a nest box. Some rabbits have a very strong urge to use a litter box and if you remove the litter box they will use the nest box. If you don't have room for both consider getting a bigger cage.

All my rabbits are litter trained (except one who goes everywhere except the litter box) and I would never remove the litter box to put in a nest box unless you want them to pee in the nest box.

Go ahead and give her the nest box now. Pregnant or not if she has the box now and makes her nest she will settle down. I have one doe that has to make her nest very early. She won't touch it again until she kindles but that nest has to be ready when she decides it has to be ready.

[SaratogaNZW]

Originally Posted by MaggieJ

She could be showing signs of a false pregnancy.

^^
I have a few does that I know will nest at about day 17-20 if they didnt take. For me, its easier than palpating for peanuts =)

[Tara Brown]

Thanks everyone.

All the bunnies seem to use their litter boxes, its make it easier to clean the cages.

She doesn't seem to be carrying around hay today...

I hope its not a false pregnancy. I have not palpated, but i dont trust myself to get a good answer anyway. I guess i will just wait and see!