Mating in Nest boxes

[pigeonman007]

Is it possible for successful mating if the pairs are kept in the nest boxes? My boxes are 26" x 15" x 15"

[peterpau]

Should be but why would you ?

[ChrisMaidment08]

yep as long as cock can tread he will one way or other or let one pair out at a time for 20minuites a time that way you still garantee pairings

[pigeonman007]

Great

Once the eggs are laid should I open the boxes up or would this cause to much fighting, if I keep them in the boxes after eggs are laid is it likely to lead to the cock bird being to troublesome and cause broken eggs etc?

[Tony C]

Yes but you may have to wait longer for the hen to lay. The act of the cock driving he's hen stimulates her reproductive system which he wont be able to do properly if they're locked up.

[ChrisMaidment08]

cant really answer that one cos unless cocks in same box all the time they may want old box back if they are you should not have problem cos they will stay with box they are

[peterpau]

Open alternate boxes on alternate days

[jimmy white]

yes, it is poss.

but tony,s  post is true, also this" driving" i beleive,,,is natures way of taking excess fat off the hen b4 laying

[just ask me]

i do this for the first round leave them out as often as i can i leave out a pair in the loft and one in avery u can also guarantee the the parents of the eggs as if u just pair them up and leave them out after a few days its hard to guarantee the parents

[Guest IB]

Best get any trouble sorted before the eggs come along. You've got to take the time to get the birds used to going to and from their boxes. Otherwise you'll have fighting, broken eggs, scalped youngsters. It helps if you have a couple of sections to let each pair into on their own, they need a bit of privacy, otherwise you'll have all the cocks chasing one hen. Use this time to clean out the boxes. Helps keep the birds clean too.

 

It takes me the best part of a week, letting first one pair from different sections out at a time, and making sure they go back to their box, especially the hen if she's new, she should follow her cock there; I then step up to 2 pairs,  making sure they go back to their own box, then 3, and 'eventually' all going well, all out together, and left out.