Nest in the sofa!

[aranelcaramel]

I knew that keeping a male and female bonded pair (hen aged around 2yrs) together might result in chicks. I wanted to be prepared, so we've had everything on hand for months, including a nesting box and the necessary items to care for chicks.

So of course, they had to surprise me and go and lay underneath the sofa cushions!  They free fly in one room for a few hours most days, but she didn't go to bed tonight so I had to hunt her out. Now I've looked its pretty ingenious. It's a sofa bed, so she's laid directly on the lower cushion in a perfect little dark and cozy concave. She's sitting on it, popping out to nibble at the cuttlefish, and her mate seems to be doing his part. We'd very much like to let this run its course, but I can't help considering the impact of a month's worth of multiple budgie droppings on the (non washable, and rather pricey) sofa-bed. Plus, more importantly, how on earth I could keep it safe and sanitary for the chicks.

She's a nervous bird by nature, and I'm pretty sure moving them will cause her to abandon the nest, so I'm seeking suggestions or ideas on how to make her chosen nest a little more practical. Could I risk adding some sort of bedding or liner? How much change does a hen normally tolerate, and how quickly does the mess accumulate?

Any ideas, suggestions or insights welcome! 

[Hezz]

Does she have any sort of nest made at all? How many eggs have been laid? Are you able to lift everything up and pop a sheet or the like under her nesting area to help keep the sofa clean?

[aranelcaramel]

Dec 23, 2019 0:43:48 GMT Hezz said:

Does she have any sort of nest made at all? How many eggs have been laid? Are you able to lift everything up and pop a sheet or the like under her nesting area to help keep the sofa clean?

Thanks for your quick response. Nothing by way of nesting material - another sofa indentation nearby has some fluff and feathers, but not sure if that's her work or just my poor housekeeping!
Just the one egg for now.

I could definitely add a sheet or similar - that's a good idea! She's always been the most wary of my little flock, suspicious of anything new, so I worry about whether she'd accept that or not, and when would be best to do it. I had read that they're less likely to abandon chicks than eggs, but then abandoned chicks would be far worse than abandoned eggs, so it feels like a tough gamble!

It might sound silly to those who breed their birds regularly, but it feels like an important responsibility. I don't want to do the wrong thing by her! 

[clt80]

I'd be tempted to try putting the egg in the nest box, on the sofa next to where she is and see if she goes in.... Hopefully she will her urge to sit on her egg will be stronger than her attachment to this particular corner of your sofa. If so you could then after a few days move the nest box into her usual cage. If chicks are born they poop like hell and your sofa will be wrecked

[Hezz]

I would harden my heart and do the same thing, clt80, but I'm not sure everyone could bring themselves to move her. It would definitely be the best scenario. Also, even if she abandoned this egg, she may still use the nest box in the future.

As for when to move anything - the sooner the better. The longer she is there, the more comfortable and settled she is going to be.

[skysmum]

I would put the nest box in the cage, place the egg inside and keep them in, if the hen is in egg laying mode she will soon settle down and use the nest box, if not with this egg she will lay more and they will all be safe