I have a pair that have two week old babies in their nest. They constructed a nest out of pine needles in a disposable nest bowl. By this time the rim of the nest is covered with poop. I've been picking it off when its dry enough. I'm confident they are going to go into a second round of eggs shortly.
Can I remove the nest bowl and nest and replace it with a new bowl and pine needles?
Should I open up another nest box for them?
Should I just do the best to clean it on a daily basis?
Should I just leave them alone?
Should I wait until I wean the babies and then replace it?
I'm looking for some advice. I wouldn't want to live in a pile of poop!
you can take the babys out, throw out the old nest and put in a new one then put the babys back in it, they won't miss a lick. you can put in two nest bowls, one for the babys and another one for them to lay the next round in, I don't like to leave my birds in dirty nest's either.
I agree once my birds are 2weeks old I clean out the nest bowl disenfect it and place it back usualy the parents are allready making a new nest in another nest box or where ever the choose. so it seems to work out
I have a pair that have two week old babies in their nest. They constructed a nest out of pine needles in a disposable nest bowl. By this time the rim of the nest is covered with poop. I've been picking it off when its dry enough. I'm confident they are going to go into a second round of eggs shortly.
Can I remove the nest bowl and nest and replace it with a new bowl and pine needles?
Should I open up another nest box for them?
Should I just do the best to clean it on a daily basis?
Should I just leave them alone?
Should I wait until I wean the babies and then replace
I'm looking for some advice. I wouldn't want to live in a pile of poop!
The cleaning part is needed and should be done, it is the changing of things that can get them out of sorts when the hatchlings are young. so just put the bowl back in the same spot.
I leave everything alone until the babies are up and walking around. I am not sure who is correct. I just figure that this is the way that ferals are raised. I have heard some folks on this site say that their birds seem to be more healthy if they are not cleaning everything all the time. Who knows, maybe there is some pro-biotic effect to leaving some poop around. I think all the cleaning is more important to us than the birds.
Well I clean mine after the first week, and every other day after that, and it doesn't bother the birds. Don't want them covered in droppings. They'd get dirty looking and smell bad.
i was wondering the same thing. i have 3 week old birds and two week old birds. 4 babies were born in natural nests made by the parents, and 2 were born in nest bowl. i know the nest bowl is easier to clean and replace, but for the natural nest i was unsure if i should touch it or not.
Even with this kind of nest, I do the same thing. Then I just put back clean straw, make a little indent, and place the babies in it. Have never had any problems.
You are more likely to have problems with the parents abandoning them if you move the nest bowl to a different location, or if at a very young age of the squabs,like just a few days old, you put in a different nest bowl, that they do not recognize. Other than that, you should be safe cleaning it out.
Thank you all for you advice. I went ahead and pulled the nest box. Pulled the bowl out. Cleaned the whole thing. Put shavings in the left side, put the clean bowl with pine needles in the right side, put the babies back in, and everyone appears to be happy...and clean. Thanks again.
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