Aussie Finch Forum

Went to Petstock today and bought 2 packets of these: (the majority of the packet is swamp grass and some white feathers at the bottom)

Mike.

Hello Finch,if really stuck for nesting material,i would go to the nearest hay and grain store and see if you can buy half a bale of grass hay ,the birds will pick out what they want and what is usable,the rest throw away,this would have to be cheaper than buying from a pet store,hope this helps garyh.

garyh wrote:Hello Finch,if really stuck for nesting material,i would go to the nearest hay and grain store and see if you can buy half a bale of grass hay ,the birds will pick out what they want and what is usable,the rest throw away,this would have to be cheaper than buying from a pet store,hope this helps garyh.

Will do.
Mike

PM sent re some swamp grass

The grass you bought looks like average quality swamp grass, Sometimes Gem Birds has it (if they are still going). Maybe BB can put you on to some Pampas Grass seed heads.Hearing that Adel has been wet and cold so dont panic, wait till it warms up.

Finch_Breeder wrote:Went to Petstock today and bought 2 packets of these: (the majority of the packet is swamp grass and some white feathers at the bottom)

Mike.

nestingmaterial001 (448x600).jpg

Mike,the grass you bought is not swamp grass and the label is incorrect,it looks more like grass hay to me,but it should do the job Craig

What is swamp grass? Does anyone have the scientific name or photo of it? How high does it grow?

MadOzzie

Madozzie,you should be able to get in the sugar cane fields between Gold Coast and Brissy,i think its called Jacobs Well there is a stawberry farm there. Craig

I know the area well but I was wondering what I am looking for. There is allt ypes of grass growing long around here.

MadOzzie

It grows along the irrigation channels but at this time of the year it would look like normal grass,in another few months time it will spout seed heads to a height of 6 to 700mm and drys very quickly and is easily blown away buy the wind,the best time to collect it is the yellow green stage before it lets go.
A plastic fan rake is the best tool to use as it can break the hold.
Anyhow,there's a chap in the QLD Finch Society advertising it for sale every month. Craig