I found a bunny nest. Now what?
Cottontails are notorious for making their nests in less than ideal locations.
While it seems backwards, bunnies will actually make nests close to houses and people, and even on properties with dogs. This is because this proximity to people deters predators. However, it leaves the nests vulnerable to family pets—or lawnmowers.
The nest is in a bad location. What should I do?
If you find a bunny nest in your yard, the most important thing is to not move it. Baby bunnies do not have a scent, and if you move them their mother will be unable to find them. If she returns to the nest site and they aren’t there, she will not look for them; she will just leave and not return.
Bunnies are only in the nest for around 21-25 days, so if you can avoid the area for that time, that is ideal. If the nest is in your yard, you can put garden stakes around the nest to mark where it is. If the nest is in a planter, consider waiting 3-4 weeks to plant to give time for the babies to leave.
The nest is in a location my dog can reach. Can I move it then?
Again, do not move the nest. There are several ways you can protect the nest from your dog. Take a laundry basket and put it upside down over the nest with something heavy on top of it to keep it in place. Your dog won’t be able to get in the nest, but mom can get underneath to get to her babies. A wire dog crate with the bottom tray removed also works well. If you like, you can remove the covers before dusk and then replace them in the morning—though most rabbits are able to get underneath.
I haven’t seen mom at the nest. Are the babies orphaned?
Probably not! Mom will come around at dusk and dawn to feed and groom her babies. She can be in and out in a matter of minutes, and won’t return during the day. Since baby bunnies don’t have a scent, mom leaves them alone so she doesn’t attract predators to the nest.
If you are concerned mom isn’t returning, you can set up a trail camera to watch the nest. Alternatively, you can make a tic-tac-toe pattern over the nest with straw or long grass. If the straw is disturbed in the morning, you’ll know mom came by!
