Kits on the way

Question
Hi!
I just got my buck neutered, and im gonna let my doe have her kits (the
vet thinks shes pregnant, not positive...) and so she can live with her kits
before they get to big (and so she and the buck can be happy together
after the kits are sold) im getting this hutch - what do you think? (mine
is the two-story condo)

http://www.pet-expo.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=SP60266&
LARGEVIEW=ON

Now i have some questions about the kits and stuff --
Does she need a nest box if she's got the hidey hut with a solid floor
built into that awesomeful hutch?
Can i put aspen shavings in for bedding in the nest box? (if not, wont
she eat the hay??)
Im going on vacation over winter break (leaving the 22nd, gone for 6
days) - what if i miss the birth?? will she and the kits be ok (my dad's on
rabbit duty... but he doesnt really like any animals other than mules and
dogs, so he's not gonna do much but feed & water)
My doe is just over 5 months old... is there anything extra i have to do
for her?
What preparations do i need to make for them?
Is there anything else i need to know for my first kits?
Oh yeah and theyre indoor hutch rabbits - so weather isnt a problem!
Thank you so much sorry about all the questions!!!!!!!!!

Answer
Hello.
You can always do the pregnacy check that I have posted about. www.islandgems.net/palpating.html to check for pregnancy.
I think that the cage you are getting is fine. It is awesome. The only thing I see wrong with it is the fact that the hidey hole is on the top level, and mom may not like to go up there. You can try it, but just incase I would have a nesting box on the lower level as back up. You can use either hay or pine shavings. Mom will pull her own fur to line the nest box with. She may nibble on the hay, but she will not eat it all if you make sute to give her lots of it.
About the kits...
She and the kits will be fine. Likely you will miss the birth anyways because rabbits tend to have the babies in the middle of the night when you are not looking. Rabbits don't like to be watched when giving birth usually. Tell him to keep a watch out for lots of loose hair in the nesting area's of the pen- your hidey hole and the extra nesting box i sugested on the lower floor. This will signify her getting ready to have the babies or that she already had them.
No real other preparations needed, just be ready to feed her extra food and plenty of water, she will need it to nurse babies.
Kits will open thier eyes around 12-14 days old, and about 3 weeks or so begin to get out of the nest. Make sure they stay in the nest until they are about 3 weeks, because they can get cold easily.
Samantha