Nest cleaning

[Masterfincher]

Hi all, just wondering, does anyone empty - that is, pull all grass and old eggs out - of nests not being used for whatever reason? I have plenty of nests in a mixed aviary that have been built (inside wood nest boxes, cane nests, wire nests, and so on) and are now unused, not many new/clean ones. Also, what species need/use a roosting nest?
Thanks again/

[arthur]

Yes . .

For any number of reasons

[Craig52]

Hi FM,i used to have a complete old nest clean out usually just before breeding season,July/August.If you leave old nests in they become breeding grounds for mites/lice etc that travel at night to fresh nests to feed on the birds.
I find most finches will use a roosting nest,Diamonds,Doublebars,Redbrows and a few Africans to name a few,if you clean the old nests out and replace fresh nesting material in the same day most birds that use a roosting nest will complete a new one before dark,rough as it may be but completed the next day.
Craig

[Masterfincher]

Thanks, looks like a big cleanup on the cards for the weekend

[finchbreeder]

I used to pull the whole lot out once a year, give them all a good clean and airing and return them. Then I realised this left the birds without roosting nests. So now I do about a third to a half every so often subject to whats been happening. All nests get cleaned from time to time, but there are always roosting nest available now. Works better for the finches and me.
LML