UkPigeonRacing

Andy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 09, 2025 9:14 am 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.

NeilA wrote: ↑Sun Feb 09, 2025 10:30 am I agree Murray
I do it for my cocks so there in a private slightly darker place to spend time with the hens

PeteDerby wrote: ↑Sun Feb 09, 2025 9:56 pm

NeilA wrote: ↑Sun Feb 09, 2025 10:30 am 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!

Devo1956 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 09, 2025 9:09 am

Diamond Dave wrote: ↑Sun Feb 09, 2025 8:55 am 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.

Diamond Dave wrote: ↑Mon Feb 10, 2025 9:43 am

Devo1956 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 09, 2025 9:09 am

Diamond Dave wrote: ↑Sun Feb 09, 2025 8:55 am 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.

PeteDerby wrote: ↑Sun Feb 09, 2025 9:56 pm

NeilA wrote: ↑Sun Feb 09, 2025 10:30 am 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!

Andy wrote: ↑Mon Feb 10, 2025 11:00 am 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 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 10, 2025 11:18 am

PeteDerby wrote: ↑Sun Feb 09, 2025 9:56 pm

NeilA wrote: ↑Sun Feb 09, 2025 10:30 am 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.