Asda bird boxes (rubbish)

[Pigeon feather]

Birds will still nest in something that is completely unsuitable though and the whole brood can be lost due to a badly designed nest box either letting predators in or the sun to bake the chicks etc and with birds such as a blue tit that most likely would have been their only chance for the year as very rarely do they have two broods

[Steve_In_Cheshire]

Surely in this day and age with things like this they should have to carry something similar to a british standards kite mark, maybe the RSPB can do something. If a manufacturer wants to sell something that is designed to be used by wildlife then to me it should carry some sort of logo to say it meets certain standards, the lives of various wildlife could be at risk from poor products.

Ive not seen the Asda one so can`t comment, i`m on about in general.

[Pippa]

Originally Posted by parsleythelion

i wandered past asda's birdboxes in their shop and they are awful. they seem to have all the things a good bird box shouldn't; thin wood, wrong materials (metal forsooth!) perches by the hole. who should i contact? the rspb? people will buy them in their droves and our bird pop. will be decimated... probably within the week.

It is worrying that birds will often nest in unsuitable places much to their demise.They also collect plastic bags etc which isn't good.I wish people thought more about our wild-life , before chucking their rubbish onto the verges.

Sadly, lots of people may see these boxes as cheap and cheerful as a poster stated.Many more may think they are doing the birds a favour but a lot of chicks may die because of that.Birds nesting just anywhere (like Blackbirds for instance) doesn't mean a successful brood.

At the end of the day it is the welfare of the birds that is top of our lists.A good strong birdhouse,properly secured and facing the right way is essential, because it is a tough world out there and a bad box may well attract birds too,not nice.

I haven't seen the bird box you mention but when in doubt don't buy.

[diggleken]

I havent seen them, but wonder if there were instructions on position?
Siting/Location is crucial - particularly not in full south facing sun, otherwise the chicks will fry.
Perches are often said to be bad, but they can be OK -I have had great results from boxes with perches, but their downside is they make it easier for woodpeckers for instance to get at the brood. But If the entrance hole is metallised though, that negates that problem to some extent.
Sounds like they will do for a year, then move up the housing market!
Perhaps not all bad.
Cheers
Ken

[lol geoff]

Originally Posted by Pigeon feather

Birds will still nest in something that is completely unsuitable though and the whole brood can be lost due to a badly designed nest box either letting predators in or the sun to bake the chicks etc and with birds such as a blue tit that most likely would have been their only chance for the year as very rarely do they have two broods

Agreed, but how many times have you heard of birds building nests in plant machinery or vehicles? Even top of the range fully certificated nest boxes if sited wrong can be as much of a hazzard to the unsuspecting inhabitant.

Makes you wonder how they got on without us before we started to look after them doesn' it?

[Pam_M]

[quote=lol geoff;413841]Agreed, but how many times have you heard of birds building nests in plant machinery or vehicles? Even top of the range fully certificated nest boxes if sited wrong can be as much of a hazzard to the unsuspecting inhabitant.

Makes you wonder how they got on without us before we started to look after them doesn' it?[/QUOTE]

I was the poster that thought they were cheap and cheerful and still do!
I do hope that instructions are on the box of where best to site it in one's garden though! Crucially important as we are all aware!

I agree, Geoff! It really does make one wonder how the birds got on before all these good quality and highly expensive bird boxes came on the market!

A bit like feeders really...you can get good quality expensive ones and cheap and cheerful ones! I doubt the birds would be fussy which one they used as long as they are stocked with food!

[epops]

dunno about boxes but cheap and chearful feeders do our bird ok they dont seem to mind lol

[Pippa]

Originally Posted by lol geoff

Agreed, but how many times have you heard of birds building nests in plant machinery or vehicles? Even top of the range fully certificated nest boxes if sited wrong can be as much of a hazzard to the unsuspecting inhabitant.

Makes you wonder how they got on without us before we started to look after them doesn' it?

That is why it is so important to chose the right type of box and it doesn't have to be expensive.I can not criticise the boxes at Asda because i haven't seen them.However,i have had Bluetits nesting in my boxes safely for years and having moved now i will ensure i do the best for them here too.

Regarding feeders,that's different.Providing they are safe, cheap and cheerful and stuffed with food is fine.

The birds don't work their socks off and lose a brood because of that.Just my opinion and as always,each to their own

[Hedgehoggy]

Originally Posted by lol geoff

Makes you wonder how they got on without us before we started to look after them doesn' it?

Aaah, but they didn't need us to 'look after them' when once-upon-a-time they had an abundance of natural nesting sites/habitat

[JaneLeef]

This thread caught my attention as I remember looking into making a nest box a few years ago.
I'm sure some caution was given about the use of pressure treated plywood as it's often treated with chromated copper arsenate which could be harmful to Birds.
I cannot comment about the Asda box, but I agree with Pippa that when it comes to nesting, the Birds safety is paramount.
If "we" want to intervene with nature, I say better safe than sorry and buy from a reputable source.