Please HELP! Im new to this!

[Lauren]

I'm probably stressing over nothing at this stage, BUT today I let the Jibby and 'Lola' out as usual, Lola for the first time let Jibby preen her, shes been letting him all day, just then.. Jibby looked as if he was preparing to erm 'mount' her, he put his foot on her back and tried! But he stopped and then 'fed' her instead. I really didnt think this would happen so soon or even if Jibby would be capable (hes soo tame, even now).
Should I be preparing for something to happen? What should I do? This is all new to me! Should I be giving them a nestbox? Lola has been obsessing over cupboards and draws lately, is this a sign? Or should I just wait and see what happens?
I just dont want it to happen and not be prepared for 'eggs'. Gosh, I dont even know for sure that Lola is female. But from what Ive seen today. I think Jibby certainly has a girlfriend! Either he does or hes very confused!
Thanx for any help you can give me. I'm going to have to educate myself a bit more on the breeding side of IRNs.
Edit: oh and Jibby made this weird noise when he placed his foot on her back. I have never heard him do it. It kinda sounded like a cat 'meowing'. Weird!

[julie]

I would definitely say Lola is female and it looked to me from your pics that she was making a nest in your cupboard. If you do want them to breed I would say yes to getting a nesting box otherwise she will make her nest somewhere that you may not want her to. The other option would be to separate them. If you do decide to let them breed , top up her calcium with supplements and give her extra veggies ect.

[Lauren]

Thanx heaps Julie! Well, Yesterday we got them a nest box. (Pics in pic section) Not too sure if its the right size though? and where to put it? lol forgive my newbie questions. Also is pine shavings necessary? We got some just incase.
Gosh, Ive been here a while and only now really doing my research into breeding, thats me being lazy!
I'm thinking if it doesnt happen this season, I still have a box just incase they decide to in the future. But Lola hasnt really left the box alone since last night. She likes it I think!
Im going out tomorrow to get a calcium block or something to top up her calcium.
I'm not too fussed if they do or they dont. Were happy either way! Just weird thinking of my boy Jibby being Daddy.

[Briony]

Hey Lauren, Nibbler makes the same sound you are saying the meow sounding one when he does his dances....

keep up informed with what happens being they are both tame and all

Briony

[julie]

Just checked your pics of the nest box and it looks good, I would use the pine shavings, it helps to have something under the chicks legs to stop them from sliding around in the box and getting splayed legs and before that it helps to keep the eggs safe.
I couldn't put a link to the thread ( stupid Firefox ) but look up a thread called how long after mating do eggs come. Please don't hesitate to ask questions, we all have to start somewhere.

[Lauren]

Thanx, Ive put some pine shavings in the bottom about 2cm deep, might I need more?
Well, Shes definately 'thinking' about 'using' the box, as she sits at the hole all day and keeps poking her head in there checking it out, now whenever I touch the box she does this crazy growl, she seems mezmerized by the box and doesnt want me to touch it at all. ...

Oh and guess what? they mated thismorning!! For about 2 minutes! Jibby was so gentle, I have never seen him so loving and carefully preening and kissing her all over! Lola was so trusting of him too. So beautiful.

So if they successfully mated, we might be expecting !!! On her 2nd hatchday, Jibbys 8th! Its so exciting. I just dont want to get ahead of myself here. But best to be prepared for it. I'm sure there will be questions to come.

Oh and the sound I heard, was not from Jibby, but Lola! I thought it was Jibby.