When do I ‘evict’ young bunnies from nest box?

[Azu]

As stated on my previous posts- the breeding was NOT intentional, we will have mom & dad neutered spayed very soon, the parents are separated, the babies are fine, etc. etc. So please no lectures.
Onto my question:
Online the specific ‘eviction’ date ranges from 11 days to one month( both seem on the extreme ends of the spectrum to me). Most sites say to ‘kick them out’ from 15 to 18 days to reduce the risk of nest box eye or infections? Anyone on here have experience or an accurate date? I keep the box very clean and dry. Do I really need to ‘evict them’?

[jerseygirl]

I’ve honestly never heard of evicting kits from the nest. When Maple had her litter, there was only one surviving kit. I just let her be. From memory, she took herself out of the nest I think. I should note, I had zero experience and did not know of any risk leaving them in the nest.  Sorry that’s not of much help. I might PM Roberta to see if she has advice as she dealt with back to back litters. I think she has fostered some Mum and Kits also.

11 days does seem awfully young. That is around the time when the eyes should be opening. I assuming the suggestion of removing them this young is so there is no delay with this?

[Roberta]

I have never heard of evicting kits from the nest. Then, I am not a breeder and only have experience with rescue buns. As far as I know they should have access to a safe zone up until they wean, once they are bigger you can replace the nesting area if it is too small with a bigger box and soft bedding however I would not remove them from their nursery where mum is accustomed to feeding them. They need safe haven to snuggle in, they are babies for a long time and need the security, after 8-12 weeks they will form personalities, some will lose bonds, all will need to be sexed and sorted prior to 16 weeks unless you want ore little oopsies.

[Roberta]

This is approx. 18 days old.

As you can see they are getting a bit big for the emergency nest I set up when the rangers delivered them and their Mother Pandora to my home 18 days before.

The only thing I can think of is others are suggesting replacing the nesting box with a larger snuggle bed or bedding of some sort as they will still snuggle together. Removing the box does not mean removing them from the nest site or their mother, just replacing it with something more size appropriate.

[Love4Bunny]

I have no experience with kits, as a disclaimer. I did online research and some articles suggest that correctly sexing and separating the rabbits by 10 weeks is more pressing because apparently they can breed, like what Roberta said. And gut flora needs to be developed so from everything I’ve read, 8 weeks is the minimum (also cos my Crysta has an odd gut and I’m wondering if premature separation from her mummy was part of the issue).

Not sure if you’ve seen these articles:

http://rabbit.org/domestic-baby-bunnies-and-their-mom/

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/surpriselitter.html

[Azu]

Thank you all, I’ll be giving them away to trusted friends after they are 2 months of age-separately or in female or male pairs. Guess I’ll keep the nest box in as long as its clean and remove it after they start hopping around l on their own and seem independent enough to. Ill leaving bedding in place of the nest box for them ofcourse.

[Azerane]

I’m pretty sure you can just leave the nest box in and just spot clean the really dirty parts and add fresh bedding as needed. This will help prevent infection. I’ve never heard of evicting them from the nest box either.

[Author]

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