Breeding Cages in Front of Windows?

[Sally]

In my Strawberry Breeding Journal topic, I have posted photos of my breeding cage setup for them. Three of the cages are exposed to a window, and I have noticed that the birds spend way too much time looking out the window. Thinking back, I used to have different cages in this location--six breeding cages on three shelves. In the breeding cages that were in front of the window, I had very poor breeding results. I never put the two togehter, that the window view might be too distracting for the breeding birds. Has anyone else ever run into this?

I could move the left stack to the next wall, move the right stack down so it would be away from the window, sort of in an L configuration, but then the birds wouild be able to see the other pairs. Don't know if that would be an even worse distration.

Whether I try to move them or leave them as they are, I have to make a decision quickly, since I have two pairs working on nests. Neither of those pairs are in front of the window.

[cindy]

Sally, I had my owl flights up against a wall, stacked, they did not breed for my....moved things about, putting the flights in front of a triple slider that has verticals that were drawn but adjusted to let the sun in and both pairs went right to nest and they double clutched for me.

Since then the aviary was built and the owls, both flights are in the aviary in the back room. In their place are two (stacked) flights of Scarlet chested and on the adjacent wall is another large window with a long flight of Scarlets in it...two of the pairs are mature and both went right to nest....the males spend their time waiting on the nearest perch to the nest box often watching out the window.

Not sure if it was just mother nature and the owls and Scarlets did what comes naturally or it was that lucky spot!!!

[Nerien]

Could you hang a sheer curtain in front of the window? That way the light would still come in, but the view would be blurred and maybe they'd be less distracted.

[finchandlovebird]

I have cages in front of West windows; all have eggs or babies.

I wonder if there is a lot of movement outside your windows that is distracting the birds, or frightening them. Trees or shrubs blowing, birds at feeders or flying from trees?

At long as they have some shade, I think the sun is a plus for them.

[Sally]

That window faces north, so there actually isn't direct sun coming in. It looks out into my back yard and also to my pasture. Cows wander past from time to time, along with the one horse, no bird feeders right outside that window. Hawks do cruise by looking for a meal. The sheer or semi-sheer curtain may do the trick, Ruth, just enough to block their view. I really would like to keep the cages where they are.

[CindyOH]

Sally I like the idea of the sun/light coming in your windows. If not sheers,what about a blind that you can regulate.

Cindy
PS...very nice set up.

[finchmix22]

Sally,
I have a sheer over the flight with my parrot finches. That flight has the pair that gave me five babies last time. One side faces the window and the other side has the sheer. Not sure what works best, but putting a sheer helps them stay calm from my observations.

[Sally]

I do have blinds on this window, the wide plantation type, but I keep them pulled up to the top of the window to let in maximum light, and since that wall is fairly solid with cages, I can't get to the window to regulate the blinds without moving cages out of the way. I think I will get some semi-sheer curtains tomorrow and try hanging those--that should keep the light coming in, yet maybe stop these birds from spending all their time wanting out. Or, I could just try lowering the blinds, angling them so that there is still plenty of light, but that might disrupt their view of the outside just enough.

[finchandlovebird]

I, too, think the sheers would be the ticket. That is surely a great setup Sally; I love those cages.