We give nestboxes to the does several days before their due date, especially if they are already lugging hay and/or pulling fur. Place the nestbox in a back corner of the cage, choose the non-potty corner. Face the lower side towards the side of the cage so the opening is blocked. This prevents babies being dragged out if they hang on while nursing when the mom jumps out. On a side note, baby-saver wire or urine guards help keep the kits in the cage and off the rabbitry floor.
Check boxes daily to make sure the doe isn’t using it as a potty. If a doe is using it as a potty, she most likely isn’t pregnant. But never, ever, remove a nestbox before the due date. Leave it in for a few days after the due date, just in case. Always, always put a nestbox in, even if you think the doe isn’t pregnant. You will NEVER regret putting a nestbox in, you will ALWAYS regret not putting it in.
If a doe doesn’t conceive or kindles a dead litter, save some of the pulled fur. Baggie it up and put the doe’s name on it to use in the future if necessary. Especially if she’d bred back quickly, she may not have much more to spare if she pulled a lot.