Aussie Finch Forum

I've got a few decent size offcuts of red tongue flooring. Do you think this is suitable for making nestboxes for Eclectus parrots? It's pretty solid stuff but given that it's a chipboard product, do you think they'll destroy them quick smart? I've looked up the MSDS http://www.chhwoodproducts.com.au/files ... SDS-46.pdf, but I'm unsure if anything mentioned maybe a health issue?

Sam cant be much worse off then custom wood can it?

Cant remember the treatment type for the different colour tongues(ie termite/water resistant etc), but what I do recall from the old wood products & technology lectures at Uni is that there's a few nasties that go into the glue for all chipboard/plywood products.......thats not to say that the compounds dont then become relatively benign upon curing.....however, there are a few things I do remember about Eccys.......

A) They are very chewy
B) They are pretty expensive
C) They are pretty chewy

Maybe give it a go, but I'd probably switch to boxes made from untreated timber if they look like they're chewing it much......hardwood fence palings are pretty easy to get hold of........bit more mucking around putting a box together but working with wood is good for the soul

If they are like most parrots and chew the entrance hole as part of the mating ritual then probably no .
We have started making ours from pine rather than the chip/ply woods in a bid to keep on top of moisture issues with the Lorikeets .
Dont know if they work any better yet but they sure look nicer and so far the birds have taken to them too.

Thanks for the comments- seems it should be fine.
Deb- I think the red tongue is somewhat water repellant, so might help minimise moisture.
Compared to cockatoos, I don't think Eccies are particularly big chewers but of course I'll watch them. And as far as I can tell, the glue used in the red tongue flooring seems to be much the same as glue used within plywood and various chipboards so sounds like it should be ok. Thick and dense stuff, so It'll be a heavy nest box! I might even make a few gouldian boxes - might be a bit warmer than the flimsy ply ones I'm currently using.

They will be fine. The glue used is (forgive the spelling) ureaformayldehyde. Some people are alergic to it but I have used chip board and now plywood boxes for any parrots I have kept. The birds don't eat the board, they just break it down.
If your worried about the eckies destroying it then I'd suggest you thicken up around the entrance hole with solid hardwood before drilling the hole, and add some chew blocks from timber to the inside of the box.

From memory the differant colour tongues also have differant thicknesses, red maybe upto 25mm. The thicker the better, but if you need to lift it off the hooks to check inside you don't want to go over the top. I've made boxes where the nesting chamber is a draw so all I need to do is slide out the drw to check the box. Makes inspecting very easy.

'With the moisture, they are very moisture resistant but it can get damp in there as the board doesn't breathe so well. Maybe some ventilation holes in the lid might help, but I've never bothered.

Thanks BG. The red tongue is 22mm, certainly thicker than the 18mm plywood I've used previously. I always add a few timber blocks inside for them to use as steps and for chewing. Weight isn't an issue as I usually mount mine on an old box or stool rather than hang them up. I'll get on the tools this weekend!

SamDavis wrote:I'll get on the tools this weekend!

Can't wait till I am able to say this myself. I never get a chance to put them away!!