Snapper

Thanks for your suggestions (especially the very useful comment from Clockman). Peckedhen that's really kind of you to post the pictures - I've got problems with cats etc so I'd rather not use a net this time (I did the last time I needed to home some new doves but I've now moved house).

I'm struggling to find a new homing-box for my dovecote (there's one on ebay but £40 is a bit steep!). Any suggestions? Thanks a lot.

Thanks everyone. I'll give it a try.

I've moved to Germany (Osnabruck area) and want to get a few pairs of Fantails for the dovecote in my garden. Not sure where to begin - sadly I couldn't bring my old birds from UK due to bird-flu restrictions etc so I gave them to a friend. Has anyone had any experience of keeping them in Germany (suppliers, restrictions etc)? I'd be very grateful for any advice.

I'm moving to Germany soon (Osnabruck/Munster area) and want to get some garden fantails. Does anyone have any contacts for this area - I don't know anyone at all...and my German is not very good. Any help/advice would be really appreciated. Thanks everyone.

Thanks everyone for the advice. The attacked youngster seems to have recovered a bit and is feeding. Will def get a Larsen Trap - loads of Magpies round here!

Thanks everyone for the advice. The attacked youngster seems to have recovered a bit and is feeding. Will def get a Larsen Trap - loads of Magpies round here!

Never used a Larsen Trap but did a Google search... Can someone please explain how they work - and how do you get the call-bird that you need for them? Thanks everyone for your help.

Never used a Larsen Trap but did a Google search... Can someone please explain how they work - and how do you get the call-bird that you need for them? Thanks everyone for your help.

Never used a Larsen Trap but did a Google search... Can someone please explain how they work - and how do you get the call-bird that you need for them? Thanks everyone for your help.

Never used a Larsen Trap but did a Google search... Can someone please explain how they work - and how do you get the call-bird that you need for them? Thanks everyone for your help.

Never used a Larsen Trap but did a Google search... Can someone please explain how they work - and how do you get the call-bird that you need for them? Thanks everyone for your help.

I've just pulled 2 magpies off one of my baby Garden Fantails. It had just left the Dovecote and is not flying well yet. The bird is bloodied but I think it should live. The magpies killed another youngster last week in the same way. Any ideas on how to discourage the magpies - apart from shooting them?

Thanks for the help. Pfew! Glad it's nothing serious.

I've noticed that one of my pairs of garden fantails have developed thinning feathers on their heads. Looks as though they've been in the water. Otherwise healthy looking. Is this anything to be concerned about? Would be glad of any advice.

I've noticed that one of my pairs of garden fantails have developed thinning feathers on their heads. Looks as though they've been in the water. Otherwise healthy looking. Is this anything to be concerned about? Would be glad of any advice.

Quick update: now have 3 newly hatched squabs doing well. Looks like they were just a bit slow to start! Thanks everyone.

Hi Fifer. We do have quite a few Magpies but I've not seen any trying to get into the cote. Thankfully, no cats or foxes either. But thanks for the tip - I'll keep an eye on it. I think maybe they were just a bit slow starting this season!

Success! 1 healthy squab doing very well. Thanks to everyone for advice.

Thanks Ted for some really helpful tips. It's over to the birds now...!

Hi PeckedHen. Yes, I put some straw in each compartment and they added other nesting material themselves. It's a large cote and more than enough compartments for the birds. Thanks for the turf tip - I'll try that.

I've had a dovecote and 3 pairs of lovely garden fantails (young birds from a reliable breeder) since last Summer. They didn't breed last year and this year have been laying eggs but without successfully hatching. The birds seem either to lose interest in their eggs or the eggs roll-out from under the sitting bird and get cold or fall out of the nest. The birds are eating well and appear settled, healthy and happy. They are certainly not afraid of amorous encounters! But I'm at a loss to know what (if anything) I should do to encourage successful breeding. Any ideas?

Thanks for all the advice. I've had them since August and they've not yet bred. I'm hopeful that they will breed next year. Does anyone know whether I need to put nesting pans in the compartments for the birds - or will just a bit of straw do? Shadow - when you mention grit and minerals, what exactly do you do? Do I just mix in the grit with the feed or do I need to keep it separate? Also, what minerals do you give them, and how (eg. mixed with feed)? Please keep the tips coming - I'm learning some really helpful pointers.

Still very much a novice in this area. Can anyone give me some advice about caring for my 6 garden fantails living in my dovecote? I have read a couple of books but can find little helpful info about the real basics. The birds are very tame and great fun - but what I really want to know is: What's the best feed for them (I'm just giving them an all-seasons pigeon mix) - do you give them different feeds at different times of the year?; What medicaments to they need (eg. conditioner/lice-killer etc) and how/when to give it; Do they still need grit if they are free-ranging and not kept in a bird-house (I hand-feed them); If I put garlic in their water, how much do you put in (eg. 1 clove or 10). I'd be really grateful for some direction on all this! Thank you.