removing the nest box?

[ellieelectrons]

Hi All

Janey laid 5 eggs between 19 and 27 August. None of them have hatched. We were wondering if we should wait until she loses complete interest in the box before removing it or whether we can remove it now? She's starting to spend less time in the box but is still spending a lot of time in there and sleeping in there. She is interacting with us more.

Hubby and I are planning to go on holidays in about two weeks and have booked in to take the two of them to bird boarding. The bird boarding proprietor said to let her lose interest at her own pace and said that she will be over it within two weeks. I'm just concerned that if we wait and she doesn't lose interest herself we could be further traumatising her by separating her form the box and taking her to bird boarding all at the same time.

I'm inclined to go with the bird boarding proprietor's advice but just thought I'd get your opinions too. What would you do? This is the first time she has nested so I don't know what to expect re behaviour patterns.

Ellie.

[Chienderace]

Hi Ellie, I would be tempted to remove the box now so that she is over it before you send her to new surroundings. The bird boarding shouldn't present too much of a trauma as presumably there will be other birds there as well, so she and her mate will settle in OK. You may find that she resumes her maternal instincts when she returns to your home. If that is the case, give her the box back to avoid getting the kitchen chewed up!
Have a good holiday.