Hi all,

 

I am hoping you can help me with some puzzling behaviour. I have a hen who won't go into a nest box. She sits outside it and stares into it but she just won't go in. She is a biggish double spangle. She gets friendly with her partner preening and cozing up to him. The nest box is a standard store bought rectangle box. Has anyone had this happen before? Any ideas?

 

Thanks

She might be wary of the box for a while, how long has it been there?

Budgies like the nestbox high up, so if it is on the floor of the cage, she probably won't use it.

The box in the top corner of the breedin cage and I left her with it for about 2 months before I gave up and put her mate in with someone else.

Did you try putting a piece of millet in the box? Sometimes a first timer will be wary of going inside, but they might get up the nerve for some millet.

 

Maybe next time you try this hen she will go in. I've had that happen before with first timers, and then the next time I gave them a box there was no problem.

Sorry for the late reply - internet went down for over a week. One of the joys of country living! Thanks for that suggestion I will give it a try.