skip to main content

Wren guard

15 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

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

dzyg
15 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
15 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.
Related Discussions
How long do you let the BBs try to adapt to the wren guard?
Q
Comments (5)
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
...See More
Wren guard idea...
Q
Comments (6)
Rebecca, Good idea! It would be very durable and quick to install. My cardboard ones have sides, so if you figure out a way to do that with a tag I would be very interested in your result. With cardboard, I always put the "decorative" side toward the box so as not to possibly spook the birds. I think I would also do that with a tag and leave a 2.5-3 inch gap between the guard and the box. Please let me know how it turns out if you give it a try! I'm glad you started a new thread on this subject. The other one had gotten sooo absurd. That's partly why I resorted to Latin in that one. But Latin strains my brain and I am so glad to be typing in English again!
...See More
Wren Guards and Sparrow Spookers
Q
Comments (4)
Suzanne, a spooker should always be installed after the first egg is laid, if possible. Once an egg appears, the pair is more bonded to the nestbox and less likely to abandon it. However, if the spooker is installed after the female begins incubating eggs, you must observe the box to make certain that the spooker is accepted and she reenters fairly quickly. You don't want to interrupt the incubation cycle. Kathy
...See More
wren guard during nest building?
Q
Comments (9)
Anita, I have a similar situation in that my bluebirds are back for a second brood. The house wrens didn't bother the box during nest building (and the box had been empty for about a month and there were no sticks). Mama laid her 1st egg this morning and this evening, a house wren took out that egg and smashed it at the base of the box. I think that now I'd say "the rule is that there are NO RULES!" I've had house wrens attack several eggs or several chicks, never just one egg. As far as putting up a wren guard, the problem you have is that the house wren has been in the box. And where there is one house wren, there are usually more near by. The reasoning behind the general rule of putting the wren guard on the box when the 1st egg is laid is that the female is less likely to abandon the nest if she can't figure out the wren guard. It's also hard to say whether your female is 'with egg' and I'd hate to see her not be able to get into the box to lay her 1st egg, if that makes any sense. You could wait till it's afternoon and the bluebird hasn't laid an egg and put it on. If she can't figure it out, I'd take it off till the afternoon of the next day, etc. Good luck, Linda in NW GA...
...See More
bluebars
15 years ago
JanieMay, I remember that video. It was difficult to watch. What a nasty little HOWR that was! Brutal even.
BlueBars
bbcathy
15 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
15 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

Related Stories

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Creativity Captivates in a New Jersey Family Haven

By Laura Gaskill

Handmade treasures arranged artfully and with love fill a DIY-savvy blogger's bright and cheery home

Sponsored

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

233 Reviews

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

More Discussions

Bluebirds never leave North Texas boxes.

0