My New Zealand doe is due to kindle in a week, if in fact she's pregnant. So I'm getting ready to build a nest box. What we have a lot of is thin (3/16 I think) wafer wood. Will it gas off too much formaldehyde for it to be ok for the little kits?

I got the dimensions for building the box out of "Raising Small Livestock" by J.D. Belanger: 12"x12"x24." Are these the ideal measurements or minimum ones? My cage is huge and there's enough room for a bigger nest box, but I want to build what's best. Does anyone know?

Thanks,

-- Elizabeth in E TX (kimprice@peoplescom.net), September 04, 2001

Answers

I don't know about nesting, but we build a box for our buck, and he has chewed on it on and off for 5 years, and he is now 10 years old, and as good as ever! This was older scraps of OSB, and not new stuff, though...doubt that helps any, but thats all I know about it!

-- Joe (threearrs@hotmail.com), September 04, 2001.

We used to have rabbits, and one hutch was built partially of pressed waferboard. It didnt hold up well, due to the moisture in the hutch. I would not use pressed board of any kind for a nest box, because of moisture problems. Now admittedly, I am no authority on the subject. I shall be looking to see what others have to say about it.

-- daffodyllady (daffodyllady@yahoo.com), September 04, 2001.

if the material is scrap use it but it will be temperary it shouldnt outgass enought to cause problems .i use the scraps to fix just about everything hutch roofing too but it only last about a year that way stiffen it with some scrap lumber at the edges to help with the chewing

-- george darby (windwillow@fuse.net), September 04, 2001.

I've never used waferboard, so I'm sorry I can't comment on that aspect. However, as to the size, that is quite large enough! It's larger than the next boxes I use with my NZ's and I've never had any problem with them. Best of luck to you!

-- Cheryl in KS (cherylmccoy@rocketmail.com), September 04, 2001.

I built a shed out of exterior grade OSB, perhaps 6 years ago. The shed is up about 6 inches from the ground, sitting on pressure treated ties, resting on about 16" of crushed stone, and has no siding. The foundation and shed are both well vented, the roof has overhangs and proper drip rails. I've noticed no indication of any type of damage from moisture. All this in a Canadian climate.

I hear lots of terms like waferboard, chipboard, OSB, etc. I'm beginning to think that these may actually be different products. I have seen the waferboard that does swell and deteriorate rapidly. Will it last or offgas? This would depend on what you actually have.

-- Yup (Yup@nospam.com), September 05, 2001.

Elizabeth, I certainly understand your concern about using OSB for the nestbox. I personally won't use such a product for nest boxes or any other use concerning my animals. These products are made with formaldehyde and can outgas for up to three years. Since they are outside with ventilation the fumes may not be such a problem, but I certainly don't want my animals chewing on it and ingesting such a substance. We also raise cockatiels and my husband used pine boards to build nest boxes for them and we use pine shavings for the bedding. I've heard no to use cedar, can't remember why exactly, something about the cedar in large quantities can be toxic. I would rather be safe than sorry. :-D

-- Kim in Indiana (kwcountrygirl@aol.com), September 05, 2001.

This is from a manufacturer of SIPs (structural insulated panels). I don't think I'd worry about formaldehyde offgassing. As Ken pointed out, animals actually eating this stuff may be more of a concern.

Does THE WALL contain Formaldehyde?

The answer to this question is technically yes, realistically no. This is the case because the amount of formaldehyde emitted by the oriented strand board (OSB) used in SIPs is less than 0.1 PPM (parts per million). This is well below levels established as acceptable by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In fact, the HUD Standard now in effect exempts OSB that is produced with these phenolic type adhesives. Thermapan SIPs are manufactured with APA rated OSB only.

Large chamber testing demonstrated that emissions of formaldehyde from OSB are less than would be encountered in the normal atmospheric levels of an urban environment.

Testing done by APA - The Engineered Wood Association, has been extensive and conclusive. With their permission, a report that provides more detail on this subject has been reprinted and is available from the APA or SIPA offices.

-- Yup (Yup@nospam.com), September 05, 2001.

I personally have allergies caused by particleboard so I would never use it around babies. I have found, however, that my local lumberyard encourages people to take their scraps. I have found some nice pieces of pine to make nesting boxes. And it was free.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), September 05, 2001.

I have a row of cages (about six) that I got with my first Angoras and each has a built in nesting box of wire than hangs lower than the rest of the cage. TO me wire is the best way to go because you can keep it so much cleaner! Even in the winter (two of my does kindled on two of the COLDEST days we had last winter) I just put lots of hay in there and they make SNUG nesting boxes! I didn't loose a baby to the cold and in the summer they are great for ventilation! Also the baby bunnies can't roll out because the nesting box is lower than the rest of the cage and they usually don't start hopping out until they're about 2 1/2 to 3 weeks old!

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), September 06, 2001.

Those dimensions would be plenty big. I raise Californians which at maturity are 8.5 to 10.5 pounds. Most New Zealands are 9-11 pounds.

I use a 19 inch long 10 inch wide 10 inch high nest box for my does. The top does have a top over the back 1/2 which gives a spot for the doe to sit and hide from babies when they start to come out of the box!! I would not use the wafer board as they tend to chew on it and the little cracks and crevices in it will hold moisture and dirt. Mine are made out of pine wood scraps and edges lined with alumminum strips to prevent chewing. (I am lucky I have a 85 year old friend who makes them for a nominal fee, he used to raise rabbits for years and now just makes nest boxes!)

I also use a removalble bottom which I replace when it is soiled. I also change the straw when the kits are 8-10 days old to replace any wet bedding this keeps nest box problems to a minumum. Good Luck with your litter. Densie

-- Denise (Rabbitmom2@webbwprks.com), September 06, 2001.

OOPS hit wrong letter in address reply above. This is the correct now. PLease feel free to contact me if I can help with a rabbit question. Denise

-- Denise (Rabbitmom2@webbworks.com), September 06, 2001.

well i don't have an answer but i sure have comments (still can't stop laughing here)...as a mom of 9yr old son who begged me into purchasing from a pet store a beautiful female rabbit which i think is a toto?totally white with black eyeliner completely circling both eyes...that we bough because she looked like a model in white mink coat with heavy eye-makeup...which led to the purchase..from same pet store..one male brown calico looking "clown" rabbit..due to one ear being apparently broken ..unknown to us at time of purchase and as year old rabbit now one ear points north...one south at all times....which leads to Michael now wanting to "mate" him and her to produce 'them' ....which led to my checkin out this web-site...which led to me eventually reading about gay dogs with gay cat partners...neutered chickens....etc....(still can't stop laughing). I appreciate your site and look forward to hearing from anyone interested in helpin a single mom who's 9 yr old son's father is deceased for 3 yrs now...providing a fun hobby as well as happy, healthy, and beautiful rabbits.....thanks guys...God Bless you all for the input..both informative and humourous.

-- S Thompson (sst@tecinfo.com), May 06, 2002.