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I bought the whole setup from our Wild Birds Unlimited store in Fredericksburg, VA. I wanted to start small to see what I would need. I can get 5000 from the store and do not have to deal with shipping issues. Since I am unable to go into the shop yet I haven’t been able to explore larger options. They are doing curb-side pickup only for a while longer.
I did the second feeding tonight and it was gone in 20 minutes. I am going to do one more day with the feeder on the hook and then move it back to the cage to see what happens.
David
Stafford, VAThis is so timely Judy and Carol, as I just bought the BBF-1 feeder and 1000 meal worms from our WBU s store on Monday. I put the feeder on a shepherd’s hook near their hook and put a few mealworms in the bowl to see if they would go to the cage. I did not see any activity. They stayed on their hook and looked but did not go to the cage. Yesterday I moved the cage to their hook and they still looked but did not go to the cage. Today (a couple of hours ago) I took the cage down, took the bowl out and attached a couple of wires to hold it on their shepherd’s hook, Put in about 20 meal worms and watched. About 20 minutes from when I put it out Dad bird had cleaned out the bowl feeding the nestlings. I am going to put some more worms out tonight to see if mom will join in. Judy you need them to get used to this new activity – as I found out. Just putting a feeder out and expecting them to jump right in is unrealistic. Mine took 3 days. Maybe you can get better results by introducing the uncovered bowl with the mealworms first. Happy feeding
David
Stafford, VAWe are right here hoping with you. We had 4 continuous cold evenings, 3 in the 30s and 1 29 degrees. But Mama bird must have kept them warm. I participated in the foam and cardboard insulation parade that several of the members tried. I now have to remove the package before it gets too warm. I had very strong winds so I attached mine with an adhesive putty. I am not sure how easy it will be to remove though. I was wanting to put up a new box anyway.
David
Stafford, VASorry to hear that Tammy. It has been a rough spring. Better luck on the next sitting.
David
Stafford, VAYou are right, Carol. I just do it for record keeping. As I look back through past photos – they all look the same. That is why I started to use the date stamp on them so that I could tell which year the brood took place.
David
Stafford, VAThat is great Rich. It is great when they trust you like that. I have not had the experience with blues as I have not been feeding them the mealworms and now that I want to get started I find the cage feeder on the forum is out of stock. Any one know of a commercial retailer that may have them?
I have had humming birds come to a feeder in my hand and even use my finger as a perch
David
Stafford, VAA lot of us are that way Lisa. Like we said before, Bluebirds do not follow any user guide, rule book, or any set of directions that we would for them to follow.
David
Stafford, VAGood to hear Carol. After all the weather, HOSP, and messy issues you have a successful nesting to start the season. Good luck on the rest of the year. (I am awaiting the first hatch after 4 days of very cool weather.
David
Stafford, VACan you upload them to Imgur ( a free photo drop)?
If you do not want to do that, I can help you if you would like. Send me a PM.
I posted photos for another person on the forum last year.David
Stafford, VAYou really need to do something about that bear. Sorry to hear about your loss of this batch, but thankful that the adult pair survived and are looking to start again.
Good luck ConnieDavid
Stafford, VACarol, could it be an “age” thing? I believe that my BB pair have been with me for several years and I noticed the same thing that you did last year with the nests not being as tidy in the later days toward the fledging. I blame it on too may birds in too small of a space and mom or pop not having the space to get around the nest as much as the nestlings grow.
David
Stafford, VAThe shell might work, but like Carol said don’t keep mama bird away too long. You might consider a temporary foam spacer tightly wedged to partially close the slot. Remove that immediately when temps warm up. Again nature always wins and mama should be able to keep those eggs warm if it doesn’t stay too cold for an extended period. Good luck Rich.
David
Stafford, VAJudy- as Carol mentioned if she is incubating the eggs without having to leave for a long time the eggs should be okay. She does need a little ventilation and your box should be okay. I agree that you may need to provide a few upper side holes during an above-average heat season this summer. Watch to see if she comes out of the nest a lot on the second and third broods.
David
Stafford, VA
