Just had to update - got my first egg today
The elder two girls started 'crouching' a couple of weeks ago, I thought they were laying low cos of the wind but apparently its a sign theyre getting mature enough to lay! However, I'd been told they wouldnt lay until spring so I'd just got used to treating them as pets and forgotten they may actually serve a purpose
Then today I was indoors and could hear one of them making a right racket, so I went outside and for some unknown reason thought to look in the nest box (something I'd only usually do when cleaning out) and found a perfectly formed nest wth a perfectly formed egg in it!!! I felt so mean taking it away, but my 6 year old can't wait to have it for his brekkie tomorrow
Got to say, I absolutely LOVE these birds, they're such great characters with their own personalities and voices, so glad we got them!!