As you all know, my budgies are breeding at the moment. I have breed budgies before, and they have never had anything in their nest boxes as they only remove it. In previous years I have just put a layer of newspaper/bird sand papaer (not sure thats what you call it?!) when the babies have hatched as it makes it eaiser to clean... they poo alot for little goobers :(Laughing out loud): . One couple's eggs are due anyday now. I'm hesitant to add anything now as I'm worried she'll desert her eggs. I've noticed many of you have nesting material, and am therefor unsure of what to do. Any info would be awsome.

If you add the nesting material at the moment, yes, she may well throw it out. As the young begin to hatch, add it again. She will become preoccupied with the chicks, so she will not throw it out. She will not abandon the chicks, well, not due to the nesting material anyway.

 

The sand/bird paper sounds kind of tough for a young bird that cannot yet left its bare skinned body off the ground.

 

i use wood shavings. they soaks up poo and moisture. works for me. And yes, my hens threw that all out initially as well.

I agree with Dave's advice

I agree wood shavings is the best.

I agree wood shavings is the best.

 

 

Thanks all! Will get onto it tomorrow. Wood shavings is the go xxx

I added a lot of wood shavings to one nest box as the hen has 7 babies.....she didnt look like she was going to go back in, but as other advice has said on the forum, they do. She took a little while, like an hour or so maybe, and dad went in first and I think she was reassured by this. She has still thrown most of the shavings out, I just put a handful in every few days. If she is fussy enough to clean that much and is looking after 7 babies, I dont want to wear her out with cleaning.

Its more important when the babies are around 2 weeks of age as the nest can get really mucky at that stage. Mums spend less time in there then anyway and you will be fine with adding the nesting materials then

I brought some birds off a Breeder a few months ago.

 

He uses Oaten Chaff in his nest boxes. Since then I have used it, it also keeps the nest box clean and apparently the birds can also eat it and it is very good for them.

 

Has anyone else used this?

I brought some birds off a Breeder a few months ago.

 

He uses Oaten Chaff in his nest boxes. Since then I have used it, it also keeps the nest box clean and apparently the birds can also eat it and it is very good for them.

 

Has anyone else used this?

Sounds like a good idea Wayno. I might try some

I brought some birds off a Breeder a few months ago.

 

He uses Oaten Chaff in his nest boxes. Since then I have used it, it also keeps the nest box clean and apparently the birds can also eat it and it is very good for them.

 

Has anyone else used this?

 

Love to know the results from both of you as it sounds good to me too.

I brought some birds off a Breeder a few months ago.

 

He uses Oaten Chaff in his nest boxes. Since then I have used it, it also keeps the nest box clean and apparently the birds can also eat it and it is very good for them.

 

Has anyone else used this?

 

Love to know the results from both of you as it sounds good to me too.

 

Me too, that Oaten Chaff sound good. I ended up getting wood shaving. I put a small amount in the two nest boxes. They both watched me put it in, then poked their head through the hole, fluffed their bums and got in. When I checked later they had made a little hole down to the wood where they were sitting on their eggs. Today I added some more shaving, to provide extra comfort ... but, so far so good. None of them threw anything out. I must admit, I am surprised. I thought they'd refuse to go back in!!! Bless them. Thanks all

I've been using the Oaten Chaff for about 2 months now.

 

It can be a bit messy as when i open the box alot of it falls out. I only use it once the babies are about 1 1/2 weeks to 2 weeks old.

 

It is also not too expensive, I think i brought a 25 Kg bag for $14.

Thanks Wayno. I guess you would have to get it from a horse fodder place huh?

Sunnie,

 

I brought mine from a Pet Produce place. I know too that Petstock Sotres sell it.