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Hi, mrsblu – yes I agree that Dad will be able to care for the babies if they are only a week from fledging. Mama was there for the brooding right after they hatched, which the dad cannot do. It will be a little hard for him, and would be helpful if you could help with mealworms. Hope he is successful.
Sorry for the loss, Connie – that is hard but it happens. The worms you buy in bulk are packaged in newspaper & a white netting, there is no wheat bran – you need to purchase it when you package them up in containers. I believe instead of cornmeal you can also use some oatmeal as bedding, but from experience, that is harder to sift out from the worms when you feed them than wheat bran, which is only about $3 a box. The wheat bran is their main food and carrots are for their moisture, & they usually really gobble the carrots up, also. Connie, you would be better off if you moved the worm bowl away from their nesting box, as it does attract other critters/birds. If they have eaten the worms, they will come to the new location, maybe just move it a small distance at a time until it’s final resting place. It is only recommended to attach it to the nest box to get them attracted to it, then gradually move it away. Great that you got the box moved away from the fence. Good luck.
Dene, sounds like they have accepted the “improvement” on their box. That’s great. Hope you find another egg soon.
Listen folks – Styrofoam heat shields are inexpensive & can be used for years. After 8 seasons I just this winter purchased a full sheet (4’x8′) of 1 1/2″ Styrofoam for $7 I believe at Lowe’s. I made 4 new shields for my 4 boxes and still had over 1/2 sheet left over. The shields are put on the top, west and south sides of the box. MOST important is to be sure to have dead air space between the foam & wood, at least 1/2 to 3/4″. It isn’t worth worrying about the heat cooking your precious eggs or killing babies in 90+ degrees heat with no shade (like mine). Stats show a box can get 10 degrees hotter than the outside temp. PLEASE PUT SOME KIND OF HEAT SHIELD ON WHEN NECESSARY. Yes, Sialis.org does have good info on this. I am going to try to post a pic of my shield the very 1st year of birding. The back of this box is on the west & heat shield on it, also. Notice the space between form & wood on the side – I use push pins for this.
Dana, you will find instructions in Topic #4 of the “Posting Tips” located above. It is a little complicated but once you get it set up it works fine. Quoting from that posting tip –
“Posting images in the forum.“In order to post an image in this forum, you will first have to upload it to a photo sharing site that allows hot-linking. There are many free ones, Photobucket is one of them, but certainly not the only one. Then all you will need to do is find the direct link to the image you want to post (not to the page the photo is contained on – the link to the image itself. Most photo sharing sites will show you this link.) See screenshot:
But you really need to read this whole posting of photos area.Great Connie – hope every thing goes well. Mealworms on line (live) is really the way to go once your blues have found them & love them. Much cheaper than purchasing the small containers. I order 10,000 at a time, which usually lasts me 3 months. I take them out to feed every week or every other week and put some thinly sliced carrots on top of the wheat bran for their moisture. This batch I got 2 days ago I let eat for 24 hours after delivery, and had to replace the carrots 3 times they ate so many!
YEAH! All 5 fledged yesterday (day16) with no problems. There was one left around 6 pm but apparently managed to get out & with others before dark. Wow, what a relief. I know we should try to take this “bluebirding” more casual, less anxious, but it is really hard. BUT each year I am trying to take that tiny step towards “relax & enjoy”. But when we invite them into our lives, we need to try to do the best we can for them I believe.
Dibby, wow, I hadn’t thought about that!! JHWF – that is a VERY huge, important question. If you were just moving it 25 or 50 feet is one thing, but 75 yards would be very difficult for them to find. They would need to see you do this or else move it a small amount at a time. This might be impossible if they are due to fledge very quickly. What a problem – OTHERS, PLEASE CHIME IN HERE – HE(she) NEEDS HELP! If there are not enough trees there for them to fly to, is it possible to put up some sort of artificial landing areas for them? This is so sad.
Dibby, wow, I hadn’t thought about that!! JHWF – that is a VERY huge, important question. If you were just moving it 25 or 50 feet is one thing, but 75 yards would be very difficult for them to find. They would need to see you do this or else move it a small amount at a time. This might be impossible if they are due to fledge very quickly. What a problem – OTHERS, PLEASE CHIME IN HERE – HE(she) NEEDS HELP! If there are not enough trees there for them to fly to, is it possible to put up some sort of artificial landing areas for them? This is so sad.
Wow, what a tough situation! Don’t have experience with Mountain BB but I imagine same principles apply. Yes, I have one time moved chicks to a different box in 2015. Mine were 9 days old, several days away from fledging. The box had gotten damp & was moldy & fecal sacs were not being removed. With help from this forum I did it, but was very scary. I actually had the new nest & everything completely ready before starting, so as not to interrupt incubation too long. I actually put the new nest into a different box because of the mess, took the babies out & gently put them into something covered (like shoe box or something). Then attached the new box to the current pole & gently put them back into the new nest. Your situation is little different – you probably can just take the current box & nest off the pole & then attach it to a new pole and location, after removing the babies of course. I agree with you, it probably needs to be done or they would be doomed to land in the water, unless there are lots or trees close by. Good luck & keep us informed. Welcome!
Well, my Missouri bluebirds had a little late 2nd nest (1st nest all 5 died I believe from cold & rain). They are due to fledge tomorrow, day 17, June 15. Yours are not really much behind them. I usually have 3 nestings and do anticipate another one in early July. I have a heat shield up as well, and they probably will rotate this 3rd nesting (if applicable), as their 1st nest was in a different box than present. I do have 4 boxes, mostly for trapping HOSP if bluebirds do not choose one of them. Hope your present group fledge successfully.
Wow, 19 days from hatch – should have been ready but apparently not. Mine are just starting to peek today (which is day 16) and parents are around lots. I believe they will fledge tomorrow. I have not had any baby prematurely fledge or found on the ground. I believe you did the right thing, though, by putting it back in the nest, especially if the others are still there. If only one remains they will probably fledge together today. The dog may have spooked the parents into waiting, so I would maybe try to keep it away for now.
Okay, thanks Gin, maybe I will sleep tonight! P.S. I also just remembered that those top opener boxes have kerfs cut on the inside of the front – did this when I had TRES nest, although I’m not totally sure this particular box does. I thought we did this to all the boxes. This would really make it easier I hope.
