Suzy Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Hi, hoping there's an expert out there who can help me. I am so concerned to make sure I do the right thing.... I've had my 3 ex bats a week tomorrow and I've just put them to bed and closed the door of their eglu. They were already all piled in there, but all trying to get into the nesting box. No one wanted to go on the roosting bars and the two that were'nt quick enough to get first dibs on the nest were really not settling. I know their legs may be a bit weak but they look healthy - no marks or lesions or anything. Is it safe for one to sleep in the nest, should I take the roosting bars out (the front ones still aren't in as they freaked and refused to go in when I put them in the other day) and let them all sleep on shredded paper (having read that hay is not good earlier - so will be replacing the hay with shreddings tomorrow). When should they be able to roost properly? I will go and check again in an hour to see if they've all settled down. Also, whilst I'm on here - another new mum question.... will their wings have already been clipped of they are exbatts? I am thinking of letting them free range tomorrow for the first time and didn't want to assume that they would have had their wings done. Sorry for the deluge of questions!!!! Suzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Well as ex bats I'd be surprised if they got ANY feathers let alone flight feathers! 2 of mu ex bats (came may still haven't got all theirs!) I had the same thing with my 3, I'm afraid I'm a soft touch. We seem to be split into 2 camps on the forum, a some block off the nest box at night & make them roost. Ther poor loves don't know about roosting as they haven't been able to ever! So toi start with I put straw on top of the bars, this helped a little but then I put in 2 plastic washing up bowls & they ewere all happy Personally i don't mind picking the pooh out of the bed in the morning, I feel they've done it tough & so what if they want to snuggle up in a bed of their own. but not everyone feels the same. I still sometimes found 2 in a bed. (we took out the rear bars by the way) Hubby made a roosting bar that goes across the middle which helps hold the bowls down (got a large tile in the bottom of each to weight it too) But just now like oin the last 3 weeks or so they are starting to roost sometimes. we today changed the size, 1st one being the same size as omlet one. this one a bit bigger & they seem to like it I hope this helps some, it is all a case of how YOU feel really. I will be soooo interested to hear what other people do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 try them with some dried mealworms, they will stay close. another suggestion was wait till later in the day so that they go back to the Eglue to bed, but not sure yours are doing that yet? see what others think, they will be along soon I am sure. Your life is NEVER going to be the same again. ENJOY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 It may take them a while to get the hang of roosting for as you rightly say, thair muscles are weak. You could block the nesting box off woth a plantpot if you like to ensure that they roost. Either way, it doesn't really matter. Their wings won't be very strong either so they probably won't fly away, but there is no harm in clipping one wing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 there is another thread here that you might find interesting. viewtopic.php?f=5&t=34852 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
