Put some nest boxes in loft and birds not interested in them!

[Ramiro]

I have some pigeons which I haven't bred this year because I havent added nest boxes to their loft. I really didn't feel like building any so I just stacked up some milk crates and cut off one of the sides for them and put them in the loft. I know they're small and not ideal but it took very little time to make them and I'm curious to see if they would work. I also added a piece of cardboard to each crate and a handful of straw to make the nest... My birds havent shown too much interest in them though, I'm wondering if it's because I always keep males and females together. Would separating them for a while make them more willing to breed?

[Grim]

If you separate them until early spring they should be much more interested in breeding.

[Ramiro]

I really only have 1 loft to put them in so I have to keep them together year round but I could probably move the hens for a few days... Not sure if that would do anything though...

[little bird]

Have you tried lacy curtains and soft romantic music??
Seriously, all birds hate new ''things'' in their space. Just give them time to realize that the milk crates are not going to eat them and they will soon move in and set up housekeeping.

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by Ramiro

I have some pigeons which I haven't bred this year because I havent added nest boxes to their loft. I really didn't feel like building any so I just stacked up some milk crates and cut off one of the sides for them and put them in the loft. I know they're small and not ideal but it took very little time to make them and I'm curious to see if they would work. I also added a piece of cardboard to each crate and a handful of straw to make the nest... My birds havent shown too much interest in them though, I'm wondering if it's because I always keep males and females together. Would separating them for a while make them more willing to breed?

I would suspect that's the problem. I've seen it happen before. Separating them for a while will re-spark their interest in one another. Also, make sure you've got enough boxes so that every pair can have one. Don't overcrowd the birds and you really should have any unmated birds. Pairs only.