Because pine is a soft wood, it lets of vapours thta are bad for the babies. So it is suggested that you air you pine shavings for a few days. But I was wondering how do you do that? and wouldn't they get all germy in the time that they are exposed?

Also are Aspen shavings okay? because they are a hardwood (so I have heard) and do not give off any vapours so are safe to use straight from the pack.

And how deep should your shavings be?

Pine is fine just keep it in a dry location in an open box. You want it to draw some moisture so that it doesn't dry the nest box air.

 

As to how deep to make it... ....sorry I shouldn't laugh .. It doesn't matter as most hen will through most of it out. Put it about a hand full. I have one hen that has scratched it all away and has the eggs on the bare floor. The best time to replenish it is after the 1st chick is about 5 days old. The hen usually doesn't throw it out then.

 

 

...oh let me say that it is a good idea to put some in just before you set the pair as the shavings in the cage will give you the indication that the hen has been in the box

Edited May 3, 200619 yr by daz

Couldn't you just use the wood shavings you get for mice/rat cages from pet stores? What are those made of?

Couldn't you just use the wood shavings you get for mice/rat cages from pet stores? What are those made of?

I use those. It is pine. I have had no problems with it. Dry and not fumey or anything.

I used to put nesting material (pine shavings) in the boxes but the hens always got it out...in fact they took great pride in "cleaning" all the "rubbish" I had inconsiderately put in their box! I gave up, it seemed a waste of money...... One day I told Karen at the Arc about it and she said budgies nest in tree hollows in nature, they don't build/ construct nests using natural materials as lots of other birds do so that is why she is "cleaning" it out. Karen said it was definately good to have some sort of substance to regulate moisture, keep it cleaner and to stop the poop sticking to their feet and causing problems. She suggested I put the nesting material in after the babies. I did this and it worked for me, it seemd once their young was hatched they didn't start clearing it out until it was a few days old and then I just changed it.

I should have said in my posting that I use it in the same way as Bec does, cos my birds all throw it out too. The only time it stays in the box is when the babies are hatched out. Makes cleaning easier for sure.