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I really need some help...ASPA!!!

15 years ago

Well I am the one with the dees in my bluebird house. Mama dee laid her 2nd egg today. About noon today I noticed the blues were back and wanting in their house. They were the ones that tired earlier this month and the eggs were infertile. They almost killed the mother dee when she came out and was trying to get back in the box. The female blue had her on the ground. I am totally confused on what to do. I talked with someone at a bird and feed store today. She told me to leave them alone and let them decide who gets the box. I did not put a reducer up because I have never had to use one. The lady told me it was to late to put one up now. She told me that it would not do any good to put up another box. I don't have enough room in my yard for a 2nd box. Now what to do?? I can't stand watching them fight over this box. I no that the dee will be needing to lay more eggs and the blues are needing to start another nest. These blues have been coming to this box for years. They are not ready to give their place up for another bird. So does anyone have any advice? Do I just leave it up to the birds or do I need to do something about this? Sorry so long just trying to cover all the grounds so that someone can give me advice.

Thanks!

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Comments (5)

lisa11310
15 years ago
It is NOT to late to put the reducer on and you CAN put up another box for the blues. Blues and Dees can nest in "paired" boxes. Do both as quickly as you can. The Blues will almost always win in a fight with the Dees, please give that Mom Dee a fighting chance. I had this happen one year and once the BB realized she could not get in the box she gave up.
Sialis.org gives instructions on how to pair boxes. Good Luck!
bandjzmom
15 years ago
I agree with Lisa dee. It is absolutely NOT too late to put on the reducer and it should be done asap. Quickly, put up another box for the Blues. You don't have to have a lot of room. They will nest within fairly close proximity. Mine are nesting within 50 feet of each other as I type. Run to Lowes and get a Bluebird box for $10, and get a T-post to mount it on. I buy the 6-7ft T-post, and it's really inexpensive. I mount mine with machine screws,(10-24x 2-1/2SS)washers,and lock tite nuts. I agree with Lisa. Do this as QUICKLY as you can. Then, you will have nesting Blues and Dees!! Do whichever thing can be accomplished the fastest first. I suppose that you would have to go to a birding specialty store to find a reducer or else buy one on-line.
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organicgardener
15 years ago
You could make a hole reducer out of a piece of wood.
lisa11310
15 years ago
I made a reducer out of cardboard and covered it with duct tape. Again just be sure she accepts it.
dzyg
15 years ago
You got some good advice....I sure hope you got a reducer up for those Dees!! It is always advised to add a reducer after the first egg is laid so that person at your feed store has no clue what they are talking about! Also I have some boxes paired at 25 feet apart, I can get both Blues and Tres nesting that close. Dees are more tolerant so you should be fine with adding another box. I wouldn't put it any closer than 25 feet if possible though. Good luck and let us know what happens!

Donna

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