Nestbox Height?

[MinxFox]

Okay well I feel silly asking this because I know that normally I like to answer the nest box questions and I reply with, "We made a nice nest box for the peahens and in the 2 or more years they have had it, only one peahen has used it and she just happened to be killed by a raccoon while she was in the nest box." I always say that I have given up and just let them nest on the ground wherever they want.

Well my dad just told me he would like to build me a nice elevated nest box up high with a little perch for them to fly up to and get into it. I told him that I saw a nest box just like that on Reinhold's site. Here is the photo of the box I remembered from his site: http://www.pfauenfarm.de/Home-Engli...PM/Album-Breeding-PM1/album-breeding-pm1.html

Anyways, I thought I remembered reading on there that only the green peahens seem to like using the elevated nest boxes and the India blue peahens prefer using one lower to the ground.

Does anyone have a high nest box with good results? If so can you show pictures and provide measurements? I told my dad I didn't want him spending the time making something they won't use, but he said they would be safer up high and I have to admit I would feel better with them up high nesting. My peahens have nested in the dog box before which was up a few feet but not very high and not high enough to be safe.

 

[zazouse]

I found mine like it to nest 6 foot up or more but did have one hen nest in the compost pile that was 4 foot off the ground but she was hiding her nest in the brush that had grown in it.
i made nesting areas up high all over this year, i put chicken wire over a some kennels and place banana leaves then pine straw to keep things secure and the hens have been checking them all out.
I will post some photos later.

 

[zazouse]

The nest in this compost pile was right where that white stick is, you could not see it until you looked over the edge.

I also used some bread racks under the banana leaves on the nesting area by the peas garden

 

[AugeredIn]

Put the nest box wherever you do not want them to lay cause in my experience they never lay where you want them to or think they will. I tried everything. Custom built wood nest boxes on the ground, a 3x3 nest box enclosed and open up high, a split 55 gallon barrel and a kennel. They never used a one. In fact, they are prone to avoid even the comfy hay piles we provide and lay them in a depression in the dirt.

 

[MinxFox]

Haha I knew Zaz would have a good reply. It will be interesting to see if your hens use those nesting areas. I am sure you would feel a lot better if they nested up high.

AugeredIn I agree with you. They do seem to lay in random places sometimes. With Ice I can just about guarantee she will nest under the palm frond structure. She loves it there. From what I have seen with my peahens is they like nesting in corners. Any corner area is very popular. I am sure it is because they feel more safe and enclosed in those areas.

In the past mine have used nest boxes. I think it was too cramped and hot for them though. Since I have plants in my pen and will have some in my new pens that also makes it difficult since they would probably rather nest in or next to a plant. Oh well if my dad wants to build a box he can. It will be just a learning experience to see if we can get them to nest up high. Maybe I could decorate it with fake branches with leaves or something to make it feel more natural.

Here are photos of my peahen's nesting areas (who knows where they will nest in the new pens once those are done):
Where Ice always nests:


Unused nesting boxes.


Damsel isn't nesting in this photo, but last year she tried nesting under these cast irons but one egg broke so she left the nest.


Ice under her nest area. Someone was being mean and pecked off her crest while she was nesting.


Damsel under a bush.


Damsel has also nested under the nest boxes in the corner.

I will make sure if my dad wants to still make a nest box that he only makes one this time not a group of ones that will all be neglected. Of course one has been used once, but that isn't great results.

 

[zazouse]

The hens have already used 3 of those sites last year . looks like they may use them again as some of the hens have been sitting up there just chillaxen and watching LOL

 

[chicks4kids]

I had made Penelope a nice grass covered wood nest box on the ground in the coop even though I figured she'd lay her eggs outside in the run somewhere, but she ended up laying her eggs in the corner of the coop opposite the nest box, completely open to Pete. Of course, he didn't bother the eggs or her while she was brooding, but of all the places for her to lay her eggs, she chose inside the coop in plain sight.

But on the upside, it made me happy to know that she felt completely safe and comfortable in her coop

This year, I figure she'll lay where ever she wants, (no matter what I do), and I'm fine with that.

 

[zazouse]

All of my peas nested out in the open per say, none of them were covered, i think it gives them an out if something comes along of course mine are not penned.

that white spot in this photo is a peahen right out in the open but you know with the shadows and light comming threw the trees it was hard to spot her till i knew where she was.

 

[Kev]

It seems random but sometimes not really. I noticed a common theme to location is being next to some kind of feature like a log/fallen twiggy branches(last picture is great example), boulder, a wall, etc or elevated surface with a flat area, especially if the surface has either large objects on it or is against a wall with over hang.

Another common theme is seemingly in the open but there is something over the location- the palm frond picture is a great example. also a favorite are large trees with large branches drooping down close to the ground- either close to trunk or under where a branch droops close to ground.

with the penned birds, corners are a favorite especially if there is something large(rock, post, cement post support) within two feet of it(all of my pens are completely wire sided).

It seems they either like an easy visual locator or like the security of something next or above them.

Indias nested about equally both on ground and off ground. all spaldings had nested on ground- only difference is they chose locations twice as far away from their main hang out center than Indias. never had any greens free range long enough for them to lay and nest.