Hi everyone, just two questions:
1. I have swallows that come back to my garden each year however this year the nest fell down due to the weight of the chicks, should i leave them to build their own nest or put a man made nest up there?
2. I would like to buy some doves and a dove house for my garden, how can i protect them from predators? i should mention that i have magpie's and crows there too?
Thanks.
I have put up a number of shelves just below the roof within the structure my swallows nest in. Since doing this a number of years ago they have always built on a shelf rather than directly against a wall.
I also have a premade bought swallow nest - but this has never been used other than for the fledglings to sit in whilst being fed.
CJ
Hi spins
Ref the doves. firstly be sure you want them.
You will need at least 4 to 6.
They will need netting in for at least 3 weeks or they will simply fly away. this means you will have to clean all the dirt out daily.
You can also attract other pigeons and this can be a problem.
They will sit on your window cills and roof and take some shifting.
sorry if I sound a fuddy duddy but I have doves and a cote and know at first hand.
Also breeding is a problem when the doves are settled. each pair will have 3 or more sets of young a year. usually 2 at a time.
The best way is to remove the eggs and put false ones in the nest, I know its hard but its really the only way.
If you do breed then keeping the compartments clean is a mommoth of a job and the young will need moving at about 3 weeks old before they fledge
Cats will be the main problem although I have had a couple of kills by sparrowhawk but six birds have 12 eyes.
Hope this helps
Ray
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