Nesting material

[roxtar]

Straw's no good if you don't keep it dry..... If you can keep it dry I guess it'll work. I put cat litter or sawdust in the bottoms of my bowls and pile the pine needles on top of that. The birds love it.
I've seen birds build nests out of piles of screws left on the floor, I think they can pretty well make due with whatever you give them.

[stach_n_flash]

Originally Posted by roxtar

Straw's no good if you don't keep it dry..... If you can keep it dry I guess it'll work. I put cat litter or sawdust in the bottoms of my bowls and pile the pine needles on top of that. The birds love it.
I've seen birds build nests out of piles of screws left on the floor, I think they can pretty well make due with whatever you give them.

I agree, but just try not to give them nails and screws. Seems like it would be quite painful

[bloodlines_365]

for me i dont used any of those, just the nest bowl, no straw,tobacco,pine leaves or whatever it is... cause no mess and easy to clean and all the first clucth where born seems fined....as long as the loft,water,food container are cleaned....

[stach_n_flash]

"for me i dont used any of those, just the nest bowl, no straw,tobacco,pine leaves or whatever it is... cause no mess and easy to clean and all the first clucth where born seems fined....as long as the loft,water,food container are cleaned...."

Sounds like your birds are easy to please lol. Mine practically insist on having something to make a nest with.

[hillfamilyloft]

I also use pine needles. The long dead or dried needles from ponderosa pines. I use the disposible nest bowls. I also use nest felts. I have heard that they are harmful, but I have not experienced anything harmful. I cut them down to fit the bowls. The birds build over the felts needles. My hatch rate was 39/40 two years ago and 72/75 last year. I do think the flelts help insulate from the cold. I have a few pair that don't even bother building a nest and just lay on the felts.

I think sometimes when we hear a rumor about something or someones opinion we think it fact. Anything dry and the lenght the birds like will most likely end up in the nest. I threw some weed stems in last year from some tall grassy weeds and they worked just fine.

Randy

[TerriB]

Originally Posted by Snowbird Sue

Geeze! The only thing I haven't seen on this post is dried tree leaves...

One of my birds likes to bring in the brightly colored fall leaves. However, his mate will NOT use any of those in the nest. They obviously have very different ideas on decorating!

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Many suggestions and ideas on this topic. What I use is a nest pad I make, which is made from natural fibers, and fits into a plastic nestbowl with holes in the bottom, much like your normal felt pad. The major difference, is that it does not retain moisture like the felt pads. It naturally discourages parasites and bacteria. Most of the other items which have been suggested, have been tried at some point, and were later discarded for various reasons. I have been so impressed with this material, and how it keeps the babies, clean, warm and dry, that I may have the makings of a new commercial product. The only down side, is it will cost about four times what those cheap carpet type felt pads, which absorb moisture, and grow bacteria will cost.

[TAWhatley]

Originally Posted by bloodlines_365

for me i dont used any of those, just the nest bowl, no straw,tobacco,pine leaves or whatever it is... cause no mess and easy to clean and all the first clucth where born seems fined....as long as the loft,water,food container are cleaned....

If it works for you, that's fine. Do be aware that a lack of something for the babies to grip with their toes and feet can result in splayed legs. I know the nest felts provide some traction, but am just trying to relay some possibly helpful info.

Terry

[TAWhatley]

Originally Posted by SmithFamilyLoft

What I use is a nest pad I make, which is made from natural fibers, and fits into a plastic nestbowl with holes in the bottom, much like your normal felt pad. The major difference, is that it does not retain moisture like the felt pads. It naturally discourages parasites and bacteria.

Hope you have it on the market soon Warren!

Terry

[k-will]

i have used pine straw along with a small amount of cat litter in those throw away bowls and it works fine.cant imagine why i would want to change.what i do that alot of people dont do is,i change the bowl out when it starts getting dirty,and give them a fresh one.the breeders dont mind,and the youngn stay healthy and clean.

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by k-will

i have used pine straw along with a small amount of cat litter in those throw away bowls and it works fine.cant imagine why i would want to change.what i do that alot of people dont do is,i change the bowl out when it starts getting dirty,and give them a fresh one.the breeders dont mind,and the youngn stay healthy and clean.

I use pine needles too. I also change the bowl the day I band them and then will give a clean bowl as needed. Might be every day or every other day. Just depends. I have had a pair leave their babies when I tried changing the bowl while the babies were only 3 or 4 days old. Won't do THAT again. I wound up playing mommy.........
I did try the paper bowls last year. I didn't really care for them. Don't like the little rim around the bottom that the poop piles up on and then you have to figure out how to pick the bowl up without getting poop all over your fingers........LOL, plus I had one bend with the weight of the babies and I almost dumped the poor babies in the floor.
I have arthritis in my hands, so the plastic bowls will the little groove around the bottom is easier for me to get hold of.

[k-will]

you just reminded me.i had kept a bunch of those bowls like you have when i moved from the old place.maybe i will try them this year.yeah,i learned as well,dont change out a bowl until around 6 or 7 days.usually arent real bad until then anyway.

[Becca199212]

Mine get tobacco stems, hay, straw, pine needles, shredded paper, shredded fabric and they also get heather, it's supposed to be better than tobacco and helps keep bugs and lice away. I put it all in a pot and let them take what they want.

[Jazzman]

Thanks everyone for your input. You suggested some items I'd never thought of.........now if I could only find a eucalyptus tree!!!!!!!

[bloodlines_365]

Originally Posted by TAWhatley

If it works for you, that's fine. Do be aware that a lack of something for the babies to grip with their toes and feet can result in splayed legs. I know the nest felts provide some traction, but am just trying to relay some possibly helpful info.

Terry

okay,im aware of that cause i used to breed exotic birds for three years, anyway the nest bowl i used are basket traw bowl made of bamboo that i bought for a dollar, their effecient enough for this purposes and lots of traction on their foot.