Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 2/14/2007

Question

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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
what does a nesting box consist of. can I use a small tissue box does it have to be wooden and a certain size
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Hi, Virginia.  Thanks for posting!

A nesting box is a wooden, metal, plastic or other type of box with an entrance hole in the front so the birds can go in and out and a lid/top of some sort so you can have access to the inside of the nesting box.  You can use whatever is acceptable to your birds, i.e., some birds will lay eggs in just about anything, others will only lay in certain types of boxes.  However, when using a tissue box, you have to be sure you have some type of access to the inside so you can keep track of what's going on inside, so you can remove any eggs/babies if need be, etc., etc.  Yes, a nesting box needs to be a certain size, depending on the type of birds you have.  You don't say what type of parrots you have (and I can't tell which category you posted to...budgies, parrots, or birds general).

I wouldn't recommend putting up a nesting box or giving your birds a tissue box or any other type of nesting material unless you want them to mate/breed.  A nesting box is a signal to a pair of birds to go to nest.  You need to learn a lot more about birds before you allow your birds to mate, lay eggs, and raise a family.

Chrys
Thanks for the advice I wasn't aware that a coup cup would be a nesting box for the keets or so they used it as such and now that I've been given the gift to raise a baby bird or birds I'll do what needs to be done. I went to the library and got two books on raising budgies.  

Answer
Hi again, Virgina.

The books are most likely outdated.  You'd be wise to visit my website for information if you already haven't:

www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html
www.birdchannel.com is also a good website

Bird Talk magazine is a good magazine to subscribe to.  There's also lots of information on the internet.

Chrys