Phil, You've rung a bell saying about not lifting the birds off eggs. I've just lifted all my birds off dummy eggs and pulled the eggs, in the hope that they all lay their next round at the same time- it's been difficult with lots of different age babies when people are buying several. Anyway, since I did this, the birds are acting really nervous of me - is this what's caused it?
James, I hinged a large sheet of thin ply so that it fastens up against the loft roof but, when I'm basketing, it swings down so it covers the window and darkens the loft. The birds just sit still as I pick them off the perches - much easier.
Sue