Aussie Finch Forum

Beautiful Lorikeets Hope they enjoy there new home.

Thanks, they are still getting used to it I think. Deb thanks for the tip re nest box. we have some budgie ones but door is to the back not the top, will look for one with top opening so it isn't stifling and chicks don't fall out! The drawback of the log is not easy access as one end we nailed closed the other has two screws. When we get to cleaning it if/when they have nested, we will change it to clips for easy removal. So far they don't seem to interested in the log. Not sure when official breeding season is though from memory it is earlier in the year.

Yes need to change nest material at least once when you have young else gets a bit damp and smelly.

so do you take young out to do that? we got pine shavings, do they like anything else? girl at pet shop told hubby they also like swamp weed (?) but he thought it looked moist and was concerned about bacteria so didn't get it.

There are lots of materials you can use including compressed coconut fibre as found at Bunnings which I soak in water, then I mix 50/50 with shavings, squeeze out the excess water and place in the box.

As for swamp weed? sounds like something swamp people would smoke !!

I wouldn't bother with it.

You may find your nest box changes have to occur every few days depending on parents' diet & local weather conditions & number of chicks. Just keep an eye on it & change as needed.

Good luck & enjoy them.

so you do put in moist then? is that not a problem for chicks?
They don't seem too interested in nesting at the moment, so won't need to worry about cleaning nestboxes for some time!

I just use pine shavings, the hens will bath before returning to sit on the eggs if the humidity isn't high enough. Even if the material is dry, it soon gets wet when the young hatch, up to six minature squirters don't take long to make a mess .

LOL VR1, can imagine the pool of squirts...

By the time the eggs hatch etc most of the moisture disappears from the nesting material.
When cleaning whilst chicks are still in the nest then I use it dry as VR1Ton has suggested. The problem at this stage is keeping the nest dry, not keeping it moist.

Wow they look really nice.