Night-time digging

Lisa17 · Feb 22, 2017

Hi all, we have recently took on a breeding pair. They are both in and out the box throughout the day for the last week and both sleep in it at night for the past 5 nights. My question is is it normal for them/ one of them to be digging through the night? It's happened for the last few nights, I have heard them between 12am to 4am ish with little cheeps like they are talking. You can hear what sound like digging on the wood ( sounds like we have rats

) but in the morning there's still shavings on the floor of the box all over, they have mounted them up towards one corner. Many thanks in advance.

GaleriaGila · Feb 22, 2017

I don't know.

Can you consult with the place/peoplpe where you got the birds?

Breeding is such a complex thing.

Lisa17 · Feb 22, 2017

They used to keep them in an outhouse so not sure they would know they did it, I'll send them a message though. Thanks.

GaleriaGila · Feb 22, 2017

OMG, sounds like you RESCUED them!
Thank you!
You're probably having to get them on a healthy diet and trouble-shoot all kinds of stuff!
Maybe you can use the SEARCH tab to find previous Ringneck threads.

itzjbean · Feb 22, 2017

This sounds like normal breeding behavior to me but maybe other breeders can explain further as to why it is going on at nighttime. I know my tiels will spend lots of time in the nest for several days moving, digging and throwing the shavings around the nest so it looks just right, even if it ends up pushed in a corner. They usually do this until the eggs are laid, then generally settle down.

Lisa17 · Feb 22, 2017

GaleriaGila said:
OMG, sounds like you RESCUED them!
Thank you!
You're probably having to get them on a healthy diet and trouble-shoot all kinds of stuff!
Maybe you can use the SEARCH tab to find previous Ringneck threads.

We have had them a week and I'm sure their feather condition has improved. Lots of fruit, veg and mixed seed feed. They have also got a nice big cage now too and are living in our bedroom, to make sure they are healthy before going near our other one! I've done searches and can see scratching is normal, it's more the night bit I'm confused with.

Lisa17 · Feb 22, 2017

itzjbean said:
This sounds like normal breeding behavior to me but maybe other breeders can explain further as to why it is going on at nighttime. I know my tiels will spend lots of time in the nest for several days moving, digging and throwing the shavings around the nest so it looks just right, even if it ends up pushed in a corner. They usually do this until the eggs are laid, then generally settle down.

Thank you!

SilverSage · Feb 22, 2017

I would actually suggest removing the box completely. Breeding can tax the system even if a healthy bird, and so many things can go wrong if you aren't prepared especially if the parents aren't in top shape.

As for the digging, that's normal. As long as you are 100% sure that both birds are able to exit the box, it isn't a concern.

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EllenD · Feb 22, 2017

Yes, it's normal breeding/nesting behavior. My breeder budgies generally throw out the bedding I put in their nest boxes and usually the hen sits inside and shaves an indentation in the bottom of the box, and either piles the wood shavings in a corner or throws them out into their cage too. She's making a depression for her eggs to sit in.

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Lisa17 · Feb 22, 2017

They are in good shape, just noticed his colour seems brighter. They both love having a spray so maybe that helped. Both can get out very easy, they usually pop out to see what I'm up to when cleaning up after them.

As long as it's normal behaviour I'm happy, I just wasn't sure if normal as I thought they slept at night. Thanks for your help everyone.

Eve2 · Feb 22, 2017

Yes night time scratching is normal. We have a camera in our macaw nest box and before they laid they were busy bees at night. Also after the chick hatched the bedding around the chick was being moved around at night to keep the bedding clean.

Lisa17 · Feb 24, 2017

Eve2 said:
Yes night time scratching is normal. We have a camera in our macaw nest box and before they laid they were busy bees at night. Also after the chick hatched the bedding around the chick was being moved around at night to keep the bedding clean.

That's good to know, how long was it till they laid the eggs from starting scratching? 2-4am is their fave time

Def putting a camera in next year!

Night-time digging

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