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Wren guard

18 years ago

Hi, everyone. Just a quick question. I know it has been answered before, but I cannot find the post. How many days after the babies have hatched is it safe for me to remove the gaurd?

Thank you! Rebecca

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Comments (5)

dzyg
18 years ago
After day five the babies should be large enough that a wren couldn't pick them up and toss them from the nest. However many people leave the wren guards up longer than that for extra protection. It needs to come down before fledging though.

Donna
janie_may
18 years ago
I have no idea when they would be "positively" safe but I'd wait at least 7 to 8 days with bluebirds and 12 to 13 will smaller species like Chickadees or Nuthatches.

Linda had a thread here regarding a titmouse baby, 13 to 15 days old, still being harassed by HOWR entering the box. It was a single baby, the HOWR had already gotten rid of the others when they were younger, but the HOWR didn't seem to mind that it was close to fledging age and too large to physically remove. Thankfully that little TITU did fledge safely.

In my last nesting of BHNU I left the wren guard on till they were 14 days old.
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How long do you let the BBs try to adapt to the wren guard?
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They shouldn't of had a problem with the guard if you had it up like an extended roof, do you have sides on the guard or just the front part? That being said I did one year have a pair of Blues not accept a guard. I couldn't watch but I put it up during egg laying and when there wasn't an egg laid the next day I took it off and she laid her egg in the afternoon instead. Figured I couldn't jepordize the eggs and left it off. Somehow we got through that nesting without the wren bothering them. They both wanted to box at first and I was freaking out! I say try again with it just up, if you see them go in (it may take a bit as they will be very wary of it) then put it down but maybe shorten it at first so it isn't as long as it should be, once they accept that then make it longer. If they won't accept it when you have it on but just up then maybe they won't accept it at all. Once she begins incubation though I wouldn't mess with it anymore as she needs to stay on those eggs. Good luck! Donna
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Kerfs on the outside sounds like a great idea. Have you seen her feet up close? We have had some blues with foot deformities on the forun before. Harold I think , had 2. I would go so far as to add a perch (under the Wren guard) if she is still having trouble. Make the Wren guard so it is at least 3" out from the box, or try the "training guard" first. I did just a short cardboard flap till my gal got the idea then did the full blown Wren guard. Add them togheter,less stress,they alreadty know the spooker!I am babysiting 18day old hide and peek babies at the moment! LOL
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DUH !! Sorry Lisa- I looked it up on the internet. Not too bad for a mentally challenged ex- PE teacher, huh? Seven years ago, I had to have an 8 yr old show me how to turn on a computer at the public library!!
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Comments (1)
It should be taken off. I believe about 7 days after hatching. Sialis.org has all the best information.
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bluebars
18 years ago
JanieMay, I remember that video. It was difficult to watch. What a nasty little HOWR that was! Brutal even.
BlueBars
bbcathy
18 years ago
Rebecca I have a lot of wrens and I leave mine on until day 15 or 16 with my blues. I know that seems like a long time but they always all fledge. Good Luck
Cathy
rebecca57
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks, everyone. I will leave it up for 8 days to be sure. I do not actually SEE a lot of wrens as I kept removing their nests as they built. However, I do HEAR one and want the Blues to fledge!
Have a great day!
Rebecca

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