Mice in nest boxes??

[Welsy]

Hey, I have a pair of budgies that have bonded (DNA male and female) but don't seem to nest. The male has been chewing around the entrance to the box and putting the 'shavings' into the box - is this him preparing the nest? Also, there is mice poop in the box, will they steal the eggs if they lay. I have cleaned and disinfected it and put traps around but wondering if they are stealing any eggs? TIA

 

[Hybridchucks]

I think it is possible for them to steal eggs...

 

[Susannah4040]

Are you able to cover the cage with a smaller gauge wire, in order to keep any mice from entering...mice will spread disease...also, it is not good for the female to keep laying 'endless' eggs, either.

 

[JaeG]

I've had finch eggs stolen by a mouse who could fit through quarter inch hardware cloth and had a nest of babies in some straw I'd put in for my quail. So yes, take measures to keep them out. We covered two sides of our aviary with plastic and the third side with insect mesh. Not pretty and we had to take the plastic down come summer, but it did the trick.

This is a good article about budgies and breeding condition:
http://www.cutelittlebirdiesaviary.com/what-is-breeding-condition.html

Your female needs to be at least a year old as younger hens are prone to egg binding.

 

[Hybridchucks]

Also mice make all birds stressed, which will prevent egg laying.

 

[Welsy]

Thanks everyone for your reply. Yes @Hybridchucks, my birds seem to get restless some times at night and I have been worried about this.

Will mice be able to get through the 1cm mesh that is available? I currently just have the 1cm bars that are on any budgie cage. Yes @JaeG, my hen is definitely over a year (I have had her for two years).

Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

 

[chickencheeper]

Thanks everyone for your reply. Yes @Hybridchucks, my birds seem to get restless some times at night and I have been worried about this.

Will mice be able to get through the 1cm mesh that is available? I currently just have the 1cm bars that are on any budgie cage. Yes @JaeG, my hen is definitely over a year (I have had her for two years).

Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

Mice can get through a quarter inch hole