I have to laugh, I could not help but notice that my G-Hens have had no interest what so ever in regular nest box’s and if they are going to lay, they have been all over the place..
So when they were moved, they had a great lovely shelter with lots of sleeping bedding and I have successfully had ducks use this area as nesting but again, nothing much was shown in way of interest.. hmmm
So I hit the net and in a nut shell, they like a small dark hidden nest in thickets, where they can look out but not easily be gotten into.. ok, how to make this happen, was the question..
Spring pruning to the rescue, now I know that this area looks like it was just thrown together, it in fact took me an hour to make, set up the roof, and weave these branches into a form of a teepee, some went up and some went down, and a few go across..
I finally stepped back after running of branches and took the photo and then closed the pen and the nens ran over to check it out.. they chirped and peeped and stuck heads in.. and then ran to the back and went to the nest area and looked out..
Ah, sweet success at first blush.. now Dh is making me a 3 inch L ledge that will go on the inside, so that the eggs can’t be rolled out and lost and hopefully those girls will get busy filling the nest with eggs and a month later we will have keets joining the farm.. If I can swing it, I will be trying for two clutches over the season..
Just another Day on the Farm 
Good choice! From your description, an Alder thicket would suit the bill perfectly and, depending how fresh the cuttings, I’m betting they might even take root for you.
Speaking of which… Have you ever done any wattle fencing? (Just one more thing on my “Things to Try Someday” list; )
These are being done in such a way that they should not be taking root, and I will make sure of it, I would not want tree’s or bushes growing inside a pen like that, but if it was in a outdoor paddock, sure that would work but then I would need to worry about fox’s and coons, this way, everyone is safe and I brought the habitat to them 🙂
I have made it once with willow, way, way back in the day, I should do a small one this year, just to work the skill again!
Was just thinking of you, I was raking of Deb’s Little Garden before coming in, at least six things are up already, hopefully alot more then that made though the winter..
LOL! Great minds think alike, …; )
This year, I want to take seed from the Nettles and give them conditions they’d LOVE. Any particular suggestions?
Rich, rich soil, lots and lots of compost.. they will do ok in most area’s but if you see them growing in big swaths, its rich land..
So, did you leave your wattle to grow and become a “living fence”?
No, I didn’t.. and I never saw signs that it did that but i made it that fall and moved that winter , so can’t say what happened in the spring.
Maybe this is the beginning of a new career: bird nest decorator. :op
lol, well I wonder how they would pay me.. in eggs and feathers..