Darkening the nest box

[king]

Never had any part of boxes covered. I actually remove the fronts completely from the stock pairs once settled. Makes it much easier to keep boxes clean.

Me too. I have up and over fronts but have them up once the birds are paired.

[PeteDerby]

I agree Murray
I do it for my cocks so there in a private slightly darker place to spend time with the hens

Obviously I have no experience save that of the past few weeks pairing so it’s more observation than knowledge. I have the over and under, half dowelled half sliding ply fronts - you can set them forward so there’s no perching space in front, or set them back so there is.

When I was pairing, after a few days of locking the pairs in the boxes I left the hens locked in and the cocks perched up at the front trying to get at or protect the hen. It seemed to really help getting them to take ownership of the box (they are all 2024 birds and never paired before and new to the loft).

All that has settled now and they all stick to their boxes by and large (as in cocks aren’t trying to oust neighbours). I did start lifting the fronts up but found that as cocks chase their hens around the floor then hens would fly up to any nest box to escape, the cock would follow and and almighty scrap would ensue in the box and the nest bowl - I lost my first laid eggs that way.

Since putting the boxes down the pigeons have seemed to enjoy the calm privacy whilst sitting eggs and any unwanted visitors to the box have been easily sent packing without getting near the nest bowl.

Like I say, just an observation and perhaps when they’re feeding and sitting a second round before weaning maybe I’ll change my mind on the tactic!

[NeilA]

I agree Murray
I do it for my cocks so there in a private slightly darker place to spend time with the hens

Obviously I have no experience save that of the past few weeks pairing so it’s more observation than knowledge. I have the over and under, half dowelled half sliding ply fronts - you can set them forward so there’s no perching space in front, or set them back so there is.

When I was pairing, after a few days of locking the pairs in the boxes I left the hens locked in and the cocks perched up at the front trying to get at or protect the hen. It seemed to really help getting them to take ownership of the box (they are all 2024 birds and never paired before and new to the loft).

All that has settled now and they all stick to their boxes by and large (as in cocks aren’t trying to oust neighbours). I did start lifting the fronts up but found that as cocks chase their hens around the floor then hens would fly up to any nest box to escape, the cock would follow and and almighty scrap would ensue in the box and the nest bowl - I lost my first laid eggs that way.

Since putting the boxes down the pigeons have seemed to enjoy the calm privacy whilst sitting eggs and any unwanted visitors to the box have been easily sent packing without getting near the nest bowl.

Like I say, just an observation and perhaps when they’re feeding and sitting a second round before weaning maybe I’ll change my mind on the tactic!

I think your doing it well Pete
That would be how I would do it

[Murray]

You are doing well Pete. watching and learning, figuring out what works for you and your birds.
i reckon you will have success, you are thinking about what's happening and asking questions.

[Diamond Dave]

Would it stop dominant cocks from going into other nest boxes and causing havoc?

You can only try Dave, see if it works. Make sure you have time to observe.

Tried it Devo as you suggested, it actually makes it worse as the dominant cock is more inquisitive. I gues its because I only put screens on 2 boxes. If they all had them on it might be different.
Thanks anyway mate.

[Devo1956]

Would it stop dominant cocks from going into other nest boxes and causing havoc?

You can only try Dave, see if it works. Make sure you have time to observe.

Tried it Devo as you suggested, it actually makes it worse as the dominant cock is more inquisitive. I gues its because I only put screens on 2 boxes. If they all had them on it might be different.
Thanks anyway mate.

The good thing is Dave, you observed what was happing. So you can adjust to get things settled, nothing better than knowing your own birds.

[Andy]

I find it easier without fronts or open fronts as nothing worse than a cock or hen mistakingly going into the wrong box and being chased trying to find the way out. That’s when eggs get broken. At least with no fronts if they do go in the wrong box they quickly get kicked out without to much trouble.

[Diamond Dave]

I agree Murray
I do it for my cocks so there in a private slightly darker place to spend time with the hens

Obviously I have no experience save that of the past few weeks pairing so it’s more observation than knowledge. I have the over and under, half dowelled half sliding ply fronts - you can set them forward so there’s no perching space in front, or set them back so there is.

When I was pairing, after a few days of locking the pairs in the boxes I left the hens locked in and the cocks perched up at the front trying to get at or protect the hen. It seemed to really help getting them to take ownership of the box (they are all 2024 birds and never paired before and new to the loft).

All that has settled now and they all stick to their boxes by and large (as in cocks aren’t trying to oust neighbours). I did start lifting the fronts up but found that as cocks chase their hens around the floor then hens would fly up to any nest box to escape, the cock would follow and and almighty scrap would ensue in the box and the nest bowl - I lost my first laid eggs that way.

Since putting the boxes down the pigeons have seemed to enjoy the calm privacy whilst sitting eggs and any unwanted visitors to the box have been easily sent packing without getting near the nest bowl.

Like I say, just an observation and perhaps when they’re feeding and sitting a second round before weaning maybe I’ll change my mind on the tactic!

Thanks for this Pete - nice of you to share that. Like you and by comparison to these guys on here I dont think I have enough experience to comment on most of the threads so all I tend to do is ask questions but lets be honest, where else can you get one on one advice, so freely given from some of the most genuine people and the very best flyers in the country.

[Winfort Lofts]

I find it easier without fronts or open fronts as nothing worse than a cock or hen mistakingly going into the wrong box and being chased trying to find the way out. That’s when eggs get broken. At least with no fronts if they do go in the wrong box they quickly get kicked out without to much trouble.

That makes a fair bit of sense when you think about it!


Looking at my own loft, I've got 3 pairs currently,,

One pair laid the first egg last night, their box has a bit of cardboard between the bars to close it off,

The other two are both still open, but are naturally darker due to being in the corner!

My current problem is with the cock from the bottom pair trying to dominate both remaining boxes kicking the other pair out onto the perches!

[PeteDerby]

I agree Murray
I do it for my cocks so there in a private slightly darker place to spend time with the hens

Obviously I have no experience save that of the past few weeks pairing so it’s more observation than knowledge. I have the over and under, half dowelled half sliding ply fronts - you can set them forward so there’s no perching space in front, or set them back so there is.

When I was pairing, after a few days of locking the pairs in the boxes I left the hens locked in and the cocks perched up at the front trying to get at or protect the hen. It seemed to really help getting them to take ownership of the box (they are all 2024 birds and never paired before and new to the loft).

All that has settled now and they all stick to their boxes by and large (as in cocks aren’t trying to oust neighbours). I did start lifting the fronts up but found that as cocks chase their hens around the floor then hens would fly up to any nest box to escape, the cock would follow and and almighty scrap would ensue in the box and the nest bowl - I lost my first laid eggs that way.

Since putting the boxes down the pigeons have seemed to enjoy the calm privacy whilst sitting eggs and any unwanted visitors to the box have been easily sent packing without getting near the nest bowl.

Like I say, just an observation and perhaps when they’re feeding and sitting a second round before weaning maybe I’ll change my mind on the tactic!

Thanks for this Pete - nice of you to share that. Like you and by comparison to these guys on here I dont think I have enough experience to comment on most of the threads so all I tend to do is ask questions but lets be honest, where else can you get one on one advice, so freely given from some of the most genuine people and the very best flyers in the country.

Spot on there. I feel very fortunate to have happened across this forum. Helped me a lot and continue to do so. Thanks again everyone for supporting an old novice!