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Birds--General/nesting box for parakeets

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Expert: - 7/24/2008


Question
how do i make a nesting box?  how do i know if they are ready for one.
   thank you

Answer
Hi, Janie,

I picked up your question from the question pool this morning.

You'd be better off going to PetsMart or some other pet store and buying a keet nesting box for about $10-15.  

Go to:  www.drsfostersmith.com and find nesting boxes for examples (or other website on the internet....search using the search string "parrot nesting boxes" or "parakeet nesting boxes") and/or go to a pet store and look at one.

Basically what you need is a 12" long x 6" tall x 6-9" wide rectangular box with a lid that you can raise/lower for access, and an entrance hole in the front of the box so the birds can go in/out.  You'll also need to be able to attach the box to the bird's cage somehow so the entrance hole is the only part accessible to the birds.  Very simple to make actually, but for $10-15, save yourself the expense of buying the wood and the potential aggravation of making one yourself for the first time.  You'll need to ensure the box will not fall from its location once put in place.  If you buy one, the required holes are already in the box.

A pair of birds must be pair-bonded first before they will mate and go to nest.  Pair bonding is when the male feeds the female beak-to-beak.  Once you witness this behavior, you can set up a nesting box and see if they will use it.  Be sure to have 1 pair of birds only per cage/nesting box...colony breeding usually doesn't work successfully.  

Chrys

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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