Metal nest boxes have a lot of advantages. They wear well. They are more cleanable and more easily sanitized than wooden boxes. But they have some drawbacks, too.
Jump to:
- Metal Nest Boxes and Cold Conduction
- Metal Nest Boxes and Condensation
- A Simple Solution to Cold Problems in Metal Nest Boxes
- How to Make a Cardboard Nest Box Liner
- Line the Nest Box with Your Liner
- Prepare the Nest Box with Nesting Materials
- VIDEO: How to Make a Simple, Free Meat Rabbit Winter Nest Box Liner
- Other Uses for “Winter” Nest Box Liners
Metal Nest Boxes and Cold Conduction
One of the problems with metal nest boxes is winter. In the winter, the metal conducts cold, which can transfer to the kits if they lay up against the metal.
Most of the time, this is not a problem because ideally, the kits will burrow in a deeper part of the nest away from the back and sides of the box. However, when kits get cold, their instinct is to burrow further down for deeper cover and more warmth.
When kits burrow deep down, they sometimes end up burrowing close to or touching the metal sides, and cold can be conducted to them from there.
Metal Nest Boxes and Condensation
Another issue that can happen in metal nest boxes (which can also happen in plastic or wood, but perhaps to a lesser degree) is that evaporating moisture, respiration, and freezing and warming cycles can result in condensation in the box. Usually, you will see this on the "ceiling" inside the metal next box, but you may have some of this on the sides, too.
Icing in the box is not ideal, but it can especially become problematic when things warm up enough to melt the icy condensation. This can happen from body heat from mom or from fluctuating temperatures. Then, this rains down on the kits and their nest. Condensation from the sides gets absorbed into the bedding, creating wet nesting materials.
Wet kits are never a good thing! It’s one of the worst -- if not the worst -- situations you could wish on kits in the nest!
A Simple Solution to Cold Problems in Metal Nest Boxes
The simple solution to these problems is to make a quick, free, and easy nest box liner for your metal nest boxes. You can do this by fitting cardboard to the inside of your nest box.
*There is at least one company that makes precut nest box liners. Universal Sani nest is one product, sold by Bass equipment, for about $2 per liner plus shipping. The liners are made for the Universal Sani Nest boxes, which are made completely from wire. They are mostly used for drop-down style nest boxes, but some people do use them inside regular cages. There is no lower section or cut out for the doe to enter from (they are eight inches high all around). Still, people report that their does can jump up, over, and into the boxes.
Some people also use these liners for the more standard, slanted style of nest box. A number of breeders say they work pretty well. However, they are not cut to shape or size for most nest boxes.
They also cost money. Considering how easy and free these nest box liners are to make, making your own DIY nest box liners is the way to go.
How to Make a Cardboard Nest Box Liner
Materials:
You will need
- A medium to large cardboard box, or
- Cardboard sheets/pieces
- Razor knife or scissors
- Marker
Instructions:
- Using your nest box as a pattern, trace the shape of the box sides onto the cardboard.
- If the box is large enough, you can leave it in one long piece and fold it around into the box when you are done.
- If you don’t have a long enough sheet to make the liner all in one piece, make four different pieces, one for each side.
- Trace the four sides, but not the bottom, if you have a perforated nest box bottom (such as those with a pegboard masonite floor). If you have a solid metal bottom, you might choose to line that, but if the bottom of the nest box has drain holes or perforations, those should be kept clear to drain out any urine or collected water.
- Now, use a sharp razor knife and cut the pattern of your liner out. Obviously, take care and don’t cut yourself! Also, if you care about the surface you are cutting on, place a cutting board or scrap board under the liner before you cut through it. Or, use scissors.
- Cut on the inside of the pattern line. You want the cardboard to be slightly smaller than the exterior traced shape. That way, it will fit inside the box nicely.
Typically, I do not cut a piece for the ceiling because I do not like risking that it would fall down on top of the kits. The point of the liner is to protect kits from the cold from the sides as they burrow down and towards the back, where they might come up against the metal. So, the top is of less concern.
If you do choose to cut a top piece, make it as tight as possible and have it sit on top of the side pieces in the back. For additional safety, duct tape the edges so it cannot fall down.
Line the Nest Box with Your Liner
Now, fit the liner or pieces into the nest box.
- The nest box should be empty of all nesting material and contents
- Try for a tight fit all around
- Push the liner tight up against the sides of the box, including the front and back walls
Prepare the Nest Box with Nesting Materials
Now, prepare your nesting box as usual.
A lining of kiln-dried shavings covered with a pile of hay makes for a nice, dry nest that is absorbent and allows the doe to make a burrow, which she can line with fur. This allows the kits to burrow down into the nesting materials for further warmth.
- Put about three inches of good-quality kiln-dried shavings in the bottom of the nest box
- Put two or three large handfuls of hay in the back of the box (the doe will rearrange it as she sees fit)
- Give the doe more hay outside the box in the cage, in case she wants more to build with
For a more detailed overview of how to prepare a nest box for meat rabbits before birth, read here: How & When To Put A Nest Box In With A Pregnant Meat Rabbit
VIDEO: How to Make a Simple, Free Meat Rabbit Winter Nest Box Liner
Other Uses for “Winter” Nest Box Liners
Winter is the more critical time to line metal nest boxes, because of the cold factor. However, some meat rabbit breeders use nest box liners all year round.
- You may choose to line your nest boxes to keep them cleaner and more sanitary
- Nest box liners keep bacteria and pathogens off the box sides, which keeps them cleaner
- This makes it easier to clean the box between litters
- Always replace the box liner between litters
- Also, replace or remove the liner if it becomes wet
- Never let kits stay in a wet nest box!
Make sure that all the materials you use in your meat rabbit nest boxes are safe for your rabbits and their kits. Never use plastic liners or bags!! Kits will burrow down and may smother and suffocate in things like plastic bags!
These nest box liners are free to make, take only a few minutes, and can save kits’ lives, especially in very severe weather. It’s cheap insurance to keep your kits alive!
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