FINCHforum

I am wondering how often, or if necessary at all, should you clean the nests out?

After every clutch

Thanks Dante. By the way, how are you doin with your birds?

I actually had to replace a nest when my zebra chicks were a little under 2 weeks old because it was so caked with poop.

I clean the nest out when I remove the nest after the chicks fledge.

There was ONE clutch were I was really tempted to clean it a week before they fledged, as it was gettting STINK. But I held off until they fledged, them immediately dumped the nest contents into the trash and took the trash out of the house.

On failed clutches, I will clean the nest out when I remove the dud eggs. Sometimes I will completely clean it out if the parents pooped all over the nest (as zebras sometimes do). If it is clean, I won't do much.

FancyFinch wrote:Thanks Dante. By the way, how are you doin with your birds?

Good, thank you. I have made my final plan on who I will be keeping.

My Zebra's built a very cool man cave (hubby's words) before the Lady's came along. When I brought home the new Lady's, one male and female took it over, kicking the other pair to a new nest. However, it seems like they have abandoned the original man cave. I'm wondering if they want to make a new nest with fresh materials? Should I leave it or clean it out and let them start over?

Dante, I have a few ?'s for ya. What started your interest in birds, and just how many did you end up with? and who are you keeping?! LOL

My aunt bought me a CFW zebra hen when I was 8, no it has continued growing! I think I have around 15, will get up towards 20 when my chicks start leaving the nest. I am keeping 3 zebras, a BB male, a BCCFW/bb hen and a fawn/bb hen. And maybe my original society pair. I also migh add a pair of isabels or florida fancies. I wsnt no more than 5 zebras, naybe 2 societies, and my budgie. Ilmaybe if I cut down I will have a bit more time.