Query on Zebra Colony nesting tube

[spoton]

Am thinking about making a PVC pipe nesting tube for a colony of zebras rather than a scattering of nest boxes in their aviary. Is this a good idea and will they take to it??

Am thinking of say a metre length pipe with say 7 - 10 access holes and stuff the pipe with grasses and then create access burrows in the tube. Just an idea to try and tidy up the aviary.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Diane]

Only thing that springs to mind would be possible condensation creating an ideal environment for mould growth. In the Housing section there are pics of wire baskets and cylinders filled with straw/swampgrass/brush with holes that the birds seem to enjoy. Something like that might work for you.

[AMCA26]

Spot on BB. Tried it myself with the Zebras and no good. Stay clear.

[spoton]

Thanks for the advice, the mesh cylinder tube would actually do the same thing I have in mind - reduce the number of nest baskets to reduce clutter

Thanks again

[jusdeb]

Ive given mine wire cylinders this year and they have been awesome . I actually think that by building there own nests they breed better ...just my observations and the aviaries have never been cleaner , its amazing what goes into some of these nests .

[djb78]

I have tried the wire cylinder and have had mixed success. I tried a finch mesh cylinder empty and a chicken wire cylinder stuffed full of grasses. The empty cylinder seemed to be the go. What I'm trying next year is a cardboard cylinder which is quite hard so there will be no bending.

[Danny]

For many years as a youngster I used a technique old Tommy Lewis showed me - the cardboard tubes from inside carpet rolls = I'm not sure if they make them large enough any more but the carpet guys throw them out so can't hurt to check. We either used a long length with holes in it, a medium length with the entrance being at either end or short lengths stacked along a shelf with a wad of grass punched in one end to form a back. The benefit of the carboard tubes is not condensation and the whole lots can go in the bin at the end of the season.

[djb78]

Thanks Danny at least I know they can work. I have 20 rolls all being 55 cm in length with the hole being about 10cm in diameter. They will be placed as a double ended nests with some being cut in half and used as a hotel based nests. Best thing is that I have access to them all year so a collection is happening and if successful I will continue to use them. Nice throw away nest with no mess or fuss. I will still continue to add the wire cylinder nests also as I don't want to miss any chance for them breeding.