Is it possible to relocate nest with babies?

[purslanegarden]

Ever since I was a kid, I've been told not to touch baby birds or the parents may abandon it. Even reading a bit here, I see stories that people are careful to take the babies (for feeding) at night or in the cover of darkness.

But if the nest is not in a good location, especially with the winter season here, how feasible is it to move the nest and the birds? Would the parents be OK that their nest/babies have been moved a few feet away, although still in the same bird area and in their sight?

 

[Huntsville Saloon]

Ever since I was a kid, I've been told not to touch baby birds or the parents may abandon it. Even reading a bit here, I see stories that people are careful to take the babies (for feeding) at night or in the cover of darkness.

But if the nest is not in a good location, especially with the winter season here, how feasible is it to move the nest and the birds? Would the parents be OK that their nest/babies have been moved a few feet away, although still in the same bird area and in their sight?

I had an issue where my broody decided to build her nest in an unfortunate spot. I was able to move her are her chicks to a new nesting box in the coop segregated from the rest of the flock with chicken wire.

The move worked great. Hens can abandon a nest of eggs if moved, but I haven't heard of a broody hen abandoning their chicks once they are hatched.

I just noticed this was posted in "Pigeons and Doves." My experience is only with chickens, and don't know how pigeons and doves may differ.

 

[Latestarter]

You can try it and see what happens. I recommend moving the entire nest/structure/eggs/chicks/parents at night when really dark. Use a red light vice white to see what you're doing.

 

[Hokum Coco]

feasible is it to move the nest

No question you put the squabs at risk. Sometimes it works for you sometimes it does not. As mentioned above night time transfers work the best.

 

[alibabba]

Yes.
Have move entire nest box many times.
Better to move with the babies than just eggs. Hens can freak out a little. Fly out go sit on eggs in the coop where she started.
Once they hatch, I have done anything I wanted with them.

I give them their own, tiny, inescapable pen. No problem.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I give them their own, tiny, inescapable pen. No problem.

This sounds like a good way to handle things if you are considering a move. I have not been as successful in moving squabs as Alibabba. I have lost a pair of squabs for just cleaning and refreshing the nest box area. I have found different pairings have different tolerances.

 

[LamarshFish]

I am wondering whether a few people on this thread are talking about their chickens when the OP is presumably asking about pigeons? Maybe not, but just by some of the language people are using I suspect maybe they are talking about their chickens? I'd imagine the advice is not so seamlessly applicable to pigeons in regards to this subject....

 

[sourland]

Moving eggs I would expect nearly a 100 % failure. Moving small or newly hatched squabs - the same things. More mature squabs would be more likely to survive unless they chilled before parents resumed pumping and brooding them. Just my experience and opinion.

 

[LamarshFish]

Moving eggs I would expect nearly a 100 % failure. Moving small or newly hatched squabs - the same things. More mature squabs would be more likely to survive unless they chilled before parents resumed pumping and brooding them. Just my experience and opinion.

Sourland, I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I am curious what your experience is in how to handle squabs? I have heard handling them from day 1 is smart? That aside, what if the smaller squab needs a bit of assistance feeding, is there a good method to remove the squab and feed it myself without disturbing things?

I started a loft last spring and I got my first eggs a few weeks ago, due to hatch as early as today if all goes right, and was just wondering about this in case I have to help them.

 

[sourland]

As long as the nest is not moved, I have never had a pair abandon squabs because of my handling them. I always checked on my squabs almost daily. I never supplemented the smaller squab (somehow they generally seem to catch up once they feather out), but doubt that removing, feeding and immediately returning to the nest would have any negative impact. Understand that my experience is primarily with Birmingham Rollers and racing Homers - two breeds with very strong parenting instincts.