Set up question - nest boxes and manure removal

[krabbitry]

I currently have about 25 breeding does, but will slowly be expanding. I am trying to come up with some ideas to make things work more efficiently and sanitary.
The first thing I am working on is nest boxes. I raise californian and new zealand rabbits. Right now I am just using nest boxes made out of plywood. I would like something more sanitary, but also something that can be kept warm in the winter (I live in MI). I have thought about doing something like the drop down sani-nest that bass equipment offers, but I would like to make whatever I use. I thought if I did the sani-nest, I could make a wood box to insert it in the sani nest during the winter. I would like to be able to remove the boxes when they are not being used. My cages are all 24" wide and 30" deep with fine x feeders on the outside and I will be installing an automatic watering system in the next couple of weeks. They are all rows of double 5s so I cannot have anything on the side or back. Are there any thoughts or ideas about nest box ideas? If you have something that works really well (even if it isnt what I am thinking) and have pictures, I would really appreciate it.

The second thing I need more ideas for is the manure removal. I have rows of cages that are all 10 and 20 feet long. I would like to make something so that the manure from each row goes into a 5 gallon bucket or something along that line. I do have a couple of ideas, but I need more suggestions for what materials to use, where to get them from. Any pictures of good setups that work would also be great!
Thank you very much!!

[jkmlad]

There is no reason you can't adapt cardboard to the plywood boxes you are using now to make your own "sani-nests". I've thought about having the drop down boxes too, but I fear that making holes in the floor of my cages will make them less stable, so I haven't done it. I also like the idea that I can take out my nest boxes, scrub them and bleach them well and sitting them in the sun to deodorize/ de-germ. Each time I use a nest box it is fitted with a cardboard liner before I put in the wood chips and the straw. This makes cleaning so much easier and quicker when the litter is grown. I have also begun taking the box our sooner than I used to. This cuts down on the germs growing in the box that can attack the babies.

[houndlover]

Mine have bottoms that come out and can be replaced. I use pegboard. It lasts a few litters and then can be replaced. The pegboard drains and the nest stays cleaner.

[EnnisLakeFarm]

I just built two nestboxes out of 1"x1/2" hardware cloth. I put a piece of cardboard in the bottom before I add nesting material. In the colder months I plan on using cardboard lining on the sides as well.

[Danaus29]

She looks like a shaved poodle! Is she an Angora?

[krabbitry]

Originally Posted by jkmlad

There is no reason you can't adapt cardboard to the plywood boxes you are using now to make your own "sani-nests". I've thought about having the drop down boxes too, but I fear that making holes in the floor of my cages will make them less stable, so I haven't done it. I also like the idea that I can take out my nest boxes, scrub them and bleach them well and sitting them in the sun to deodorize/ de-germ. Each time I use a nest box it is fitted with a cardboard liner before I put in the wood chips and the straw. This makes cleaning so much easier and quicker when the litter is grown. I have also begun taking the box our sooner than I used to. This cuts down on the germs growing in the box that can attack the babies.

The boxes that I am using right now are all in rough shape and need to be replaced, so I am not worried about trying to make it work with them. I will be replacing all my boxes and so that is why I am trying to come up with a good idea now.

[Jumper82afar]

As for the nest box; I made mine out of left over wire that was used for making the cages. I cut a some found plastic type cardboard for the bottom to keep the feet safe and in the colder months I line the outside walls of the nest box with cardboard and extra straw. That plastic cardboard stuff was an election sign from the side of the road.. I put the print down and made sure it was a tight fit... They haven't eaten any of it yet and it is easy to clean when the box come out.

For the waste removal.. I saw a pic on here somewhere that somebody just used a tarp and hung it on the front bottom edge of the pen and the back bottom edge and made a trough. They shed waste of two cages into one bucket and made sure to have enough small holes in the bucket to allow for drainage of the liquid waste.

[EnnisLakeFarm]

Originally Posted by Danaus29

She looks like a shaved poodle! Is she an Angora?

Yes she is a German/Giant (depending on what you prefer). She is 8 months old.

[maters]

For waste removal, I put the plastic tubs that you buy to mix concrete in under the cages. My husband put in a couple runners underneath the cages to set the tubs on. You can also buy galvanized metal trays made just for this purpose. My friend is building a hutch now and this is the route they took. These are only and 1 1/2" deep.