NEST BOXES

[hillcresttiels]

Hi to all I receive many emails regarding nest boxes for Cockatiels and thanx to Bill's brainwave we now have a place to post our accessories.The boxes in the photo I use measure 200x200mm internal and 400mm High and are made of chipboard.Some say that is a little excessive in the height but i find that hens especially think twice before making an exit to the top especially during a night fright . Inside i use 25mm aviary mesh for a ladder and cleaned Pine Shavings 75mm thick with a little Peat Moss during hot weather and a Sprinkle of Skatta 7 lice powder placed under the shavings to help control any mites hope this has helped cheers Frank






Outside of Nest box with landing deck for males to perch at night!Also have rotating doors on one side for easy access to chicks



View inside the Box with ladder and entrance perch!

[billspets]

Hello Frank
i personaly use logs but find that the tiels like the logs about 30cm deep and about 15 cm in Circumferenceand i use potting mix in the logs (i alwas open the bage and spred it out onto a tarp and let the sun get to it for a day or to before using it )
and after every cluch leaves i burn the logs out
regards
bill

[eckie]

hi frank
thansk for the pics
gave me some ideas for when i build my new nest boxes.

[Zack]

Frank, what is the peat moss for? Does it help with the humidity in hot weather? If so how much do you use?

Thanks
Kazz

[hillcresttiels]

I use the peat moss in dry weather conditions i place a good handfull under the clean pine shavings it helps retain the humidity.I used to use it on its own but had nothing but trouble it also attracts mites coz of the warmth retained so when i do use it under the shavinds i also add Skatta 7 lice powder to the bottom of the box this is only required if the aviary is outdoors cheers Frank

[fischer]

Hi Frank, Do you know who makes Skatta 7 lice powder? I like to change these things as much as possible.
Cheers Tony

[hillcresttiels]

Hi Tony its made by Pharmachem but any carbaryl lice and mite powder for pets will do i used to get it from Ancs but they dont stock it anymore i have enough for this season but iwill have to look elswhere if you come across it let me know cheers Frank

[fischer]

Will do Frank, Most of the mite controls seem to be liquids these days and don't last long, I will see what I can find,
Cheers...Tony

[fischer]

Hi again Frank, The spray I use ( couldn't remember its name before ) is Fido's free-itch concentrate, Pyrethrin based, and is a very effective contact spray, It can also be used to spray badly infested birds direct to the feathers with no ill effects, I have been useing for a while now without problems. I have been looking for your product on the net without much luck but
have come across another powder, again Pyrethin based, for fleas and lice on dogs, wich could be of use in nests, Its called Friskies flea powder and seems easily available. I'm going to trial it and will let you know. Cheers...Tony

[josiedownunda]

I also use the Friskies spray Tony. It has been a godsend this year.....especially in nestboxes. I have even sprayed 3 day old chicks lightly with it to kill lice. I spray the nestbox and then add the sawdust.....it doesn't seem to have too long a residual action but is perfect for a quick knockdown. Even spraying the parents seems safe ...they are still damp when re-entering the box and no probs so far. What about using Diatomaceous Earth in the boxes? It is active as long as it is visually present and kills any creepy crawly. I recently bought some but haven't got around to using it yet.
Jo-Anne

[fischer]

HI Jo-Anne, I have no direct experience with Dia-Earth but have looked up its description and properties on the net. I would doubt it wise to use this in a nestbox. Its the description of the product that worries me, microscopically fine particles with razor sharp edges and although non-toxic, what if a bird took a liking to it and ingested some into its crop, I think it could do some grave damage. Even if you put it under the other nesting material the hen could eat some, they scratch around in the box a lot. A dusting powder of some sort would be better,(no sharp edges). Jo this is just my opinion, maybe you could post this question in a more obvious place and get other opinions?

Hope this helps...Tony

[lovemytiels]

Hi Tony & Josie. I would have to agree with Tony on this product Diatomaceous Earth . We use it for our swimming pool & it has clear warnings on the box. It is made from chrystalline silica quartz & the risk factor for humans are as follows:
*Dust released during normal handling of this product can cause eye & respiratory irritation.
* Prolonged breathing of excessive concentrations of dust from this product may cause lung damage (silicosis)
* This product contains chrstalline silica which is considered a hazard by inhalation & has been classified as a cause of cancer.
It also warns to avoid breathing dust & contact with dust.
I'm sorry Josie but it is clearly a product that should not be used in nest boxes if this is what it does for humans. Hope i have been of some help on this matter. Cheers for now Anna

[fischer]

Hi Anna and Jo-Anne, All I can say is WOW, the site I visited said nothing like that about it, a well known company too, I don't think I would even put it under the aviaries Jo-Anne, sounds like awfull stuff. Cheers Tony

[AussieBirds]

Yes it is pretty horrible stuff it has many applications in engineering as a nutralising agent for some cutting oils and is pretty drastic stuff. Steer clear of it.

John

[josiedownunda]

Ok Guys there seems to be some misconception here about the exact product I am referring to. The one you are all talking about is the one that has the crystalline silica and is used in swimming pools and kitty litter trays etc. That is NOT the one I am talking about.
The one I have purchased is used in grains to keep weevils down and is actually fed on small amounts to some cattle etc to reduce internal parasites. It does not contain the crystalline silica. It is a natural product made up of diatoms..tiny phytoplankton. It is non-toxic and can be used to control fleas on dogs and cats and lice and mites in poultry. It can safely be used around the home to control cockroaches and ants as well. It is the addition of the crystalline sillica that changes this product into the harmful one you are all referring to. Hope this clears it up. Here is a link to the product i have
www.greenharvest.com.au
Jo-Anne

[fischer]

Sorry Josie, I didnt realise there are two types, I did say it was new to me, the Dia-earth you are talking about is made by the same company I looked at on the net.
I do stll have some concerns with the abrasive / cutting qualities
of it, Do as you suggested and rake it into the soil, the Pyrethrum in it should have the required effect, as long as it stays reasonably dry.
I may try this product on my ant problem, I live on a bush block
and have gazzillions of them, they are attracted to the aviaries by left over foods etc, but the real problem is they go exploring and get into nests and can kill young birds, They can also be a problem as the insect medium needed in the life cycle of bird worms.
A very interesting site, Green Harvest, thanks for pointing it out
Josie, Iv'e added it to my list of reference sites.
Cheers...Tony