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MMC BunClub

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1 contribution to MMC BunClub
Nest box eye
Good morning! I have been struggling with nest box eye for quite some time. I will start with how I care for the kits. We have New Zealand rabbits. The doe’s all get a plywood, Solid bottom nest box that has a completely open top on day 28. I use a small layer of the pelleted bedding as the bottom layer. I then have packed it with straw, hay, and I have tried shredded paper as well. I remove the kits and change the pellets and straw/hay every 3 days or so. At around 12 days old, i remove all the kits to check their eyes. At least half the kits in every litter has at least one eye stuck shut at 12 days old. The ones with stuck eyes, I use a wash cloth and warm water and loosen the eye up and open the eye for them. Sometimes this helps and they are fine, but most seal back up. I have been removing the nest box when they are 12 days old recently, hoping this would help their eyes stay open. Occasionally their eyelids will get swollen a day or 2 after I open them. I am not sure if this swelling is from me irritating it, or from an infection. I have tried terramycin and triple antibiotic ointment with little success. I use a qtip and smear it all across their eyelid. This almost makes it worse sometimes, it hardens up and makes their eye seal shut again. This nest box eye issue is definitely worse when it’s cold outside. This happens with all litters, it doesn’t matter what doe or buck is used. I originally thought maybe it was a genetic thing. Just trying to get some ideas where I may be going wrong! -Should I try a wire bottom nest box for better ventilation? -Could this be a barn ventilation issue? -Is there another nest box material that I should stuff it with? -Am I applying the terramyacin correctly, is it suppose to me smeared across the whole eye? Am I intervening too quickly at 12 days old, should I wait longer to check their eyes? Should I try all metal nest boxes? I would appreciate any tips!
2 likes • Jan 6
@Douglas Curtis I won’t say that they never have chewed on them. But it does not seem common with my does. I have about 15 nest boxes, and only a handful have a few small chew marks on them. The capping is a great idea! Thanks
2 likes • Jan 6
@Mary Margaret Conley thank you so much. I will swap my bottoms out and start daily checks. I usually pack the nest box full of hay, would you consider a light layer just 2 or 3 inches?
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John Miller
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@john-miller-2738
We raise Nz whites

Active 14d ago
Joined Jan 6, 2026