I heard people say that you can use wood chips for nesting, I was wondering if you can use Thimothy Hay for nesting? I have a full bag of it that I bought for my rats, but they won't use it or eat it, they just push it out of the way, and I was wondering if it can be used for nesting or is it safe to feed to budgies as maybe a snack or treat?

I have heard not to use hay because it can be impacted into their digestive systems if they eat it.

I have heard not to use hay because it can be impacted into their digestive systems if they eat it.

 

okay thanks, I won't use it then. What about shredded paper?

Edited June 8, 200618 yr by CherokeesBudgies

you have to make sure it is not newspaper with the ink, most ink is not toxic but some can be especially the colored. If you are thinking of regular paper I don't think it absorbs well but I am not sure. Most hens will push out all the nesting material anyways because they are used to having their nest in hollow trees, so don't be surprised if she does that .

so it would be best to just put the box in with nothing in it? I already have them on a calcium & mineral block, vitamins in their water and a well balanced diet, what else do I need to do to prepare them? I just want to make sure they are well prepared when the time comes.

They are picky eaters and won't eat anything that I put in there unless it is seeds or millet, I have tried peas, and bread and they won't go near it.

Edited June 8, 200618 yr by CherokeesBudgies

I use wood shavings for the nesting boxes. The kind sold for rabbits and guinea pigs / hamsters etc. Softish not harsh. No sawdust in it for breathing difficulties. If there is sawdust amongst the shavings try and filter it out. Quite a few mothers will rid their nest of this in the early stages ( when preparing their nest ) but after the babies start coming, they dont seem to mind as much. They are too busy looking after babies to worry at that stage about housework !! It's extra warmth for the babies while Mum is out of the nest too. As the babies get older the nest gets poopy-er so its needed and regular cleaning out of the nestbox from babies ages of 2 weeks on might be necessary...once a day or every second day.......hope this helps

 

Edited June 8, 200618 yr by Bubbles

I use wood shavings for the nesting boxes. The kind sold for rabbits and guinea pigs / hamsters etc. Softish not harsh. No sawdust in it for breathing difficulties. If there is sawdust amongst the shavings try and filter it out. Quite a few mothers will rid their nest of this in the early stages ( when preparing their nest ) but after the babies start coming, they dont seem to mind as much. They are too busy looking after babies to worry at that stage about housework !! It's extra warmth for the babies while Mum is out of the nest too. As the babies get older the nest gets poopy-er so its needed and regular cleaning out of the nestbox from babies ages of 2 weeks on might be necessary...once a day or every second day.......hope this helps

 

 

Thanks, I think I have some extra Aspen here, can that be used?, I was using it for my rats until I found out they were allergic to it, I may have thrown it out, will have to look and see if I can locate it, if I did throw it out can you give me a brand name to use or a type so I will know what to buy when the time comes.

I'm sorry, I dont know what Aspen is. This is pine wood shavings, from untreated natural pine. It is sold here in pet, livestock and produce stores for bedding for pets. No brand. The stores just bag it up themselves. Some woodturning clubs and workshops will let you have wood shavings for free if you ask. Just try and be sure of the safety of what you are getting as tiny baby budgies need to be safe.............cheers Karen

Edited June 8, 200618 yr by Bubbles

okay, thanks, I will price pine wood shavings at PetSmart.

okay, thanks, I will price pine wood shavings at PetSmart.

It's generally pretty cheap where I get it. We pay about $3 for enough to fill a bucket roughly.

I got the pine wood shavings, paid $1.69, not a bad price.

I have 1 more question about the breeding box, when I bought it the small perch that is on it is inside the box, should I take it off, leave it inside the box, or put it on the outside?

Edited June 8, 200618 yr by CherokeesBudgies

I got the pine wood shavings, paid $1.69, not a bad price.

I have 1 more question about the breeding box, when I bought it the small perch that is on it is inside the box, should I take it off, leave it inside the box, or put it on the outside?

The perch is meant to be outside the box with some of it projecting inside the box. So that Mum and Dad budgie can sit on the perch outside when needed, so Dad can sit there and feed chicks when older. The inside bit of the perch helps the chicks when older to get up, look out and decide its time to fledge.

I dont use anything in my nest boxes. I clean them out every week or so as the droppings tend to stick to the chicks feet etc and it is more hygenic if cleaned out regularly.

Aspen should be okay as it is a hard wood. Idon't like the idea of pine unless it has been aired for a while as it is a soft wood and has fumes, that aren't very good for rodents, let alone baby budgies. Aspen is a hard wood and doesn't have this problem. If you do use pine, you should air it out for a few days before using it. And never use cedar, it is worse than pine.

My pine shavings have no odour or fumes. They are aged and dried and I dont use them fresh out of the bag. It sits in another container for awhile. I have had no problems with it. I believe it is from kiln dried timber.

Edited June 10, 200618 yr by Bubbles

Oh, good.