A pair of robins nested in my nest box for the first time last year and successfully raised two broods. The box had been on the fence empty for at least 6 years before they decided it was suitable! They are around in the garden now and I'm hoping they'll use it again this year. My question is do I empty out the old nest material or leave well alone? Answers gratefully received thanks, Emma.
I believe you're supposed to clean nest boxes out to get rid of any bugs that might be in there. However , I had Robins nest in a plastic box in my shed. After the youngsters fledged I thought no more about until the nest year when Robins used it again.
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Thanks both of you.
Hi Emma,
The correct time for cleaning and disinfecting nest boxes is in the autumn after breeding has finished. However, I struggle with that because I have night time roosters in mine right through until February, so any cleaning in autumn needs doing again in February. In fact I've just done mine this afternoon. Don't leave it any longer though because the birds are all on the lookout for suitable places now.
Cheers, Linda.
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Hi
I'm wanting to put a robin nest box up but not sure where to locate it I have a chicken run at the bottom of the garden and part of the roof over hangs at one end. If it tucked it into the corner should it be OK. Thanks
Hi Andre
I'm probably not the best person to ask as my nest box was on the fence for years before I had any takers but last year was successful. It's about 5 foot up on a fence post with some cover from honeysuckle around it. I faces out into the garden with some bushes close by. Hope this helps.
Yours Emma