Is it ok for a wild bird to build a nest above my quail pens?

[John Sanders]

It's just a wren but I'm wondering about disease. She builds there every year but this is the first time my quail have been there.

 

[le_bwah]

It's just a wren but I'm wondering about disease. She builds there every year but this is the first time my quail have been there.

Hmm. If there's a chance she or her babies will be pooping where the quail could ingest it, I'd be inclined to say "no, don't let her build there." Viruses, worms, and mites are part of a wild bird's normal parasitic load, but could cause greater harm in a confined flock of domesticated birds.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

If your quail will get access to the birds poo, I wouldn't let her build it there.

 

[FluffyFeathers97]

Wrens are protected under federal law in the US, removal of a nest, eggs, or the bird is illegal.

 

[derBauer]

It’s fine if you move the nest, but are you sure it’s a wren, because if so,

Wrens are protected under federal law in the US, removal of a nest, eggs, or the bird is illegal.

 

[SueT]

You could improvise a poop board on top of your quail pen, under the nest.

 

[BloomBunny]

They like to pick the best of several sites, I think I remember that they will build decoy nests, too. Give her a nearby better option.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Or you could fence off the tiny area of the quail run where the poop will be falling....