Cuttle bone and nests

kenny66 · Post by **kenny66** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:15 pm

I took some pics on preparing cuttle bone in a way that my finches eagerly homp on. I also put in some pics of various coconut combinationswashed up on the beach plus a star-red faced parrot finch and painted nest.

kenny66 · Post by **kenny66** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:18 pm

more pics

kenny66 · Post by **kenny66** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:24 pm

the end

Post by **finchmix22** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:37 pm

Very interesting. What do you use the coconut shells for? I could not see them in the pic of nests. Are they covered in brush or something? What is the grit/charcoal mixture? I see the crushed cuttlebone on half the dish and the other side is grey, which I assume is some mixture of charcoal and something else? Thanks.

PrettyBird · Post by **PrettyBird** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:38 pm

Great ideas kenny! Im definately going to try this. I hate how I have to try and grind the cuttle bone up...hammer is way better. I love the coconuts for nests as well!

cindy · Post by **cindy** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:40 pm

Your aviary with the nest boxes looks like a village!! And spacious!

Great pictures!

kenny66 · Post by **kenny66** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:46 pm

finchmix22 wrote:Very interesting. What do you use the coconut shells for? I could not see them in the pic of nests. Are they covered in brush or something? What is the grit/charcoal mixture? I see the crushed cuttlebone on half the dish and the other side is grey, which I assume is some mixture of charcoal and something else? Thanks.

I will take photos of the coconut nest for you. The grey mix on the plate is a mineral pick block made for pigeons ( I get it from the Australian Pigeon Company in Melbourne) which I smash up with the hamer also. It has calcium and minerals in it also. I will take a pic of that for you as well. I also use PVM powder and Bical granules which I think you can get in the US as well.

cindy · Post by **cindy** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:49 pm

We have many pigeon supply places here in the states...we should be able to get the same product here...Paridise Aviary (Rancel) breeds pigeons...wonder if he knows of a good supplier...there is Foy's!

Post by **finchmix22** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:00 pm

Thanks Kenny. There is always more to learn. You have a wealth of knowledge.

kenny66 · Post by **kenny66** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:13 pm

cindy wrote:We have many pigeon supply places here in the states...we should be able to get the same product here...Paridise Aviary (Rancel) breeds pigeons...wonder if he knows of a good supplier...there is Foy's!

One of the posts talked about having PVM Powder and Biocal-it was from a lady who used to breed pigeons I think. The mineral pick I think is pretty standard gear for any pigeon aviary, so it should be easy to come by.

cindy · Post by **cindy** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:18 pm

I should be able to maybe find it in one of 4 feed stores in the area...we have a large number of homing pigeon breeders in the area. Thanks Kenny!

DanteD716 · Post by **DanteD716** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:20 pm

Hm.. many pigeons around here lately for sale, maybe I can find some too

kenny66 · Post by **kenny66** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:27 pm

finchmix22 wrote:Very interesting. What do you use the coconut shells for? I could not see them in the pic of nests. Are they covered in brush or something? What is the grit/charcoal mixture? I see the crushed cuttlebone on half the dish and the other side is grey, which I assume is some mixture of charcoal and something else? Thanks.

Here we are-the pics as promised. Sorry but they are not fantastic. I just cant go stomping around the aviary like I normally do because most of the birds are in breeding mode and having a big mammal (me) popping up in front of nests is not a good idea for the tranquility of the amourous residents.