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NESTBOX
For the small dwarf does it's 12" L x 7" W x 7" H. For the larger BUDs, I add a couple
inches. The front is 4" H, the top is 5" L. I use untreated plywood as it's cheap, and
easily cut. The box is light-weight, and the does don't chew it that much.
The bottom is wire. Either cage floor wire or hardware cloth...whatever I have on hand.
I cut a piece of plexiglass to fit inside the bottom. The beauty of this is that the doe
can't destroy it as she digs and fusses with her nest, and it's easily cleaned between
litters. After the litter is born, I put a layer of newspaper over the plexi so the kits
aren't laying on the cold hard surface if they burrow down to the bottom. Once the
litter is born, the doe doesn't mess with the nest anymore so paper won't be destroyed.
When I clean the nestbox at 5 days of age or so, I remove the plexi, and just put the
newspaper on the wire. I change this as often as it becomes soiled. In cold weather I
might leave the plexi longer, and can even place a thin sheet of styrofoam, or a layer of
newspaper or cardboard between the plexi and wire for more insulation.
If you don't have scrap plexiglass laying around like I do, there are other options for a
liner. You can just lay a piece of plywood which would need to be replaced as the does
scratch it to shreds over time. The wood would eventualy rot from the soaking urine and
be very hard to clean. A better option would be cheap plastic placemats that you can
find most anywhere, especially a discount store. These can be easily cut with scissors
to fit. The more rigid kind would be more durable than the soft flexible type.
Cardboard isn't recommended as the doe will destroy it in no time.
This design makes cleaning the nestboxes very easy. There's no wood bottom to soak up
urine, and there is plenty of ventilation around the nest.
If a doe likes to rearrange the furniture, I pound some small finishing nails in the
bottom of the box at the corners. They are left sticking out a bit. The nails will hook
on the floor wire and prevent her from moving it. The finishing nails have a small head
so they don't catch so well that I can't easily remove the box.
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