While at the auction on Sunday, they were selling Breeding equipment, one of which was nest boxes. I hadn't seen this type before and was interested. A couple of breeders from the club told me that the birds love them and breed well in them.

 

I inquired as to the demenision (guessed mostly) and decided to make one.

To night I finished the second one.

 

 

 

 

 

The deep box keeps the chicks inside longer and healthier. It takes longer for them to be able to get to the inside perch and get out.

I'll be trying it in the last part of this season to see how it goes.

 

I'll let you know what happenes.

They look pretty cool Daz.

What are the measurements please.

Looks like you've done a great job on them.

 

Cheers

Paul

I like it :fear I have a good one thats different too and would like more. The commercially available nestboxes arent quite up to scratch. When you have a reasonably large clutch it would get very crowded in a normal nestbox ....as I am about to find out with Ciara's seven babies. I am wondering if I can extend her nesting box in some way that wont unduly disturb her.

They look pretty cool Daz.

What are the measurements please.

Looks like you've done a great job on them.

 

Cheers

Paul

 

Hi Paul

 

The boxes are 250mm high (10 inches)

200mm width (8 inches)

and 150mm depth (6 inches)

 

They are hard to get over here too Bubbles thats why I make them. Plus it's also a hobbie of mine

They look pretty cool Daz.

What are the measurements please.

Looks like you've done a great job on them.

 

Cheers

Paul

 

Hi Paul

 

The boxes are 250mm high (10 inches)

200mm width (8 inches)

and 150mm depth (6 inches)

 

They are hard to get over here too Bubbles thats why I make them. Plus it's also a hobbie of mine

 

 

Ta for that Dazza

daz i would remove the inside perch your birds will not nee them my boxs are 12 inchs deep (the bottom 3inchs sawdust ) and 6 inch square ,if you leave the perch in the chicks will still leave earlier

Thanks Hath

 

I made the box from memory and couldn't remember if the perch went through.

I'll remove it.

ahh I see, looks a bit like a cocktiel nest box.

I understand why the chicks would be best if left longer in the box. I just have one question. If they are in the box longer, and Mum and Dad want to start a second clutch, would there be a problem or danger to the chicks from the parents trying to move them out so they can "nest again" ? What is your experience with this. Regardless of colony or breeder cage, some parents aggressively attack babies that get in the way of clutch number two.

Edited July 27, 200618 yr by Bubbles

I understand why the chicks would be best if left longer in the box. I just have one question. If they are in the box longer, and Mum and Dad want to start a second clutch, would there be a problem or danger to the chicks from the parents trying to move them out so they can "nest again" ? What is your experience with this. Regardless of colony or breeder cage, some parents aggressively attack babies that get in the way of clutch number two.

 

 

Good point Karen,

 

I have a hen that has laid her 2nd clutch. The previous clutch would not leave the nest box... at 42 days.

I picked the two oldest, both 42 days old, out of the nest box and put them in the nursery.

 

The lat chick is 42 days tomorrow and is still in the nest box. I keep taking them out and puting them in the breeding cage but they go straight back.

 

The 1st egg is due to hatch today. I candled the eggs last night and think most of them have been adled due to the "traffic"

 

This has occured in a normal breeding box that is 165mm (61/2 inched) deep.

 

So I suppose it is up to the chicks. I actually take the chicks out of the box at 34 days anyway. So it shouldn't be a problem (I Hope :fear )

In my experience with birds and babies in nesting boxes, most of my babies fledge at 4-5 weeks. The ones that were in the deeper boxes stayed in there another 2 weeks. But, in one case especially, the mother was a good one and didnt try and move them out. She tried for the second clutch only once they were gone. :fear

Edited July 27, 200618 yr by Bubbles

Bob and Liza is on their 2nd clutch. They waiting till the chicks were gone before starting their next clutch.

Same with another pair I have down.. It's seems that some birds are different.

 

That is why I have 4 different types of nest boxes and I am keeping a check to see which hen likes which Box :fear

Any chance you could trial run one of these nesting boxes Daz. Being clever with wood, it wouldn't take you long to knock one up. I have had great success with them and would like to trade over to these type in the future. In actual fact, my birds choose these type over any others.

inside

Dimensions are across the top (hinged lid) 12 inches by 6 inches. depth from top of lid to base is 8 inches....the "landing area" is 4 inches down from lid height and 4 inches wide. Entry at that point. No ladder is needed internally as mothers, dads and babies cope quite well.

They have an upper level and a lower level. The entry hole is in the upper level with a small platform area there, then that drops down to the lower area where the eggs are laid and chicks reared. It has a top hinged lid. This nest would enable the chicks to stay in the nest longer till strong, stop them from accidentally falling out, and also allows Dad to get in and feed Mum and Bubs without stepping on anyone or without actually crowding them either. When the chicks are ready they climb to the upper level and sit there and think about fledging for awhile and also are there to be fed by Dad. I and budgies both like this type of nest. It seems to work really well. I have noticed that the chicks do stay in the nest just a little bit longer than the others. Also Mums are less likely to throw out nesting materials as its too hard to do so.

Edited July 27, 200618 yr by Bubbles

I'd love to try one Karren but.... I only have a max distance of 210mm not 300mm.

 

I couldn't even scale it down.

 

I have actually moved the nest box to the outside of the Cage.

 

I have only 210mm between the edge of the Breedig Cage and the Entrance.

Anything larger will block the access into the cage.

 

But if anyone (nerwen) wants to try this type of nest box. I'll be happy to make it. :fear

Pity. :fear

Nice nests . The one I bought wasn't very good, but did the job. I'll try to make one too, if I breed again sometime

Great nesting box you have made over there Daz, I wish i had your nesting box making skills though, I think im going to attempt (when im not so busy) a nesting box like the one Karren has posted pictures of.. but being the slack thing that i am, I have issues cleaning out the boxes with top opening lids and was wondering how the front sections would go hinged opening from top to bottom

Great nesting box you have made over there Daz, I wish i had your nesting box making skills though, I think im going to attempt (when im not so busy) a nesting box like the one Karren has posted pictures of.. but being the slack thing that i am, I have issues cleaning out the boxes with top opening lids and was wondering how the front sections would go hinged opening from top to bottom

That would work, but you would need a lip edge of about an inch on the inside to stop eggs and babies falling out when you opened them I think. Even if the lip edge is a piece of wood that slots in and you remove for easier cleaning.

Daz what sort of wood did you use to make your nest boxes?? It looks great - Karen, Scott said he was going to build me some nesting boxes, I would love to try your design!

Hi guys.

 

I just used 7mm exterior ply. They are going to get messy and it's good to clean with a disinfectant after breeding.

Hi guys.

 

I just used 7mm exterior ply. They are going to get messy and it's good to clean with a disinfectant after breeding.

 

Daz I noticed your breeding cages in the previous post did you make these as well or are they a commertially made cage? I am using bifferent sized bird cages and mounting the boxes from one of the openings at the moment. I am looking at diffeent optoions though at the moment. My husband has said he will make some for me if I can show him what I want. But I have found it extremley difficult to find any plans for building breeding cages. I much prefer your type to the metal store brought ones you see around.

KellyM

Hi Kelly the first ones I bought the last few I built. I will try to put up the plans. They are in DWG formate If anyone has Autocad?

Hi Kelly the first ones I bought the last few I built. I will try to put up the plans. They are in DWG formate If anyone has Autocad?

Wow that would be fantastic & very much appreciated. Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou

KellyM

If I could get a copy of that, I'd appreciate it. I could also convert the file to .pdf. PM for an email address. I have to do the conversion at work..

very interesting, i cant wait to see how it goes with them!