One of six in release cage won’t use nesting box

[Shonnuf]

Hey gang! It’s been a while since I’ve been on here but need your collective experience. I raised 6 babies and they all slept together without any issues. I just built them a release cage with three nesting boxes in it. I went to check on them before bed and one of the babies was on the food shelf trying to sleep. I’m in Florida but it’s still chilly. Anyway, I managed to wire a bungalow with some fleece blankets in it just for tonight and will build another nesting box and try to install tomorrow. My question is… why wouldn’t she sleep with the others in one of the boxes? They’re pretty good sized boxes. Here’s a video of the release cage and nesting boxes.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8rHE8k1/

Thanks for any help!

[Charley Chuckles]

You certainly are a GREAT carpenter 😊 I wish I could do a cool video with music like that, I really enjoyed it😁
I'm guessing she's just growing up and wants her own digs, she may be a diva ya know 😂

Yeah when I opened the door yesterday I said burrr it's 67* 🥶 🤣

[Shonnuf]

I went out this morning and saw that they’re being mean to her. She’s not as energetic as the rest. So tonight when she gets in her little basket bungalow, I’m gonna bring her back inside. All the others seem to be thriving out there except her.



You certainly are a GREAT carpenter 😊 I wish I could do a cool video with music like that, I really enjoyed it😁
I'm guessing she's just growing up and wants her own digs, she may be a diva ya know 😂

Yeah when I opened the door yesterday I said burrr it's 67* 🥶 🤣

[Charley Chuckles]

I went out this morning and saw that they’re being mean to her. She’s not as energetic as the rest. So tonight when she gets in her little basket bungalow, I’m gonna bring her back inside. All the others seem to be thriving out there except her.

Oh dear I hate when they bully but it happens🙄

[Tashahaven]

Wonderful job on the cage! Thanks for sharing your video!

My only feedback is that if you intend to relocate those nest boxes outside in the trees after they are released, you will need to build a predator baffle around the entrance/exit to the box! Otherwise, while they are asleep (or awake) they are sitting ducks for certain predators to reach in and kill them :(

it’s important to have 2 entrances and exits on the boxes, in case they have a need to escape. But MOST important is to build something AROUND the entrance/exit so they can safely enter and exit AND so racoons or cats can’t reach in and injure them. It’s almost like a little deck with a railing, which has wooden dowels/bars that wrap around in front of the holes. Hope that makes sense. I can find and post some photos if it will help?