FINCHforum

I read another post about using coconuts as a nest box and liked the idea of using something natural that could also be cleaned fairly easily. But I didn't like the idea of not being able to see inside very easily. So I decided to make one for myself. I bought a coconut at the store for 99 cents and drilled a 1" hole in the end (& drank the water Yum!) then let it sit in the hot sun for about a week to dry it out. Then I took a flat head screw driver and carved out all the meat from inside. Using a Dremel tool, I cut an access hatch in the top and attached it with a tiny hinge with nuts & bolts facing out so there wouldn't be anything sharp inside. Then I made a small handle with a branch trimming. There are small holes in the top and bottom for cross ventilation. I attached it to the outside of the cage tightly using a small bungie cord with an eye screw on the end to hold it in place. I think it should work pretty good! We'll see after I move my daddy Owl finch and his 6 babies into this larger cage after they're all weaned if they use it to roost in .

Very clever idea Gina, I love it!! Let us know how they take to it.
best of luck

And maybe Ozzy and his future new wife will use it for a new batch of babies. I also have a plastic Abba nest box which is what the current babies were raised in. It will be interesting to see which they prefer.

h2olilee wrote: And maybe Ozzy and his future new wife will use it for a new batch of babies. I also have a plastic Abba nest box which is what the current babies were raised in. It will be interesting to see which they prefer.

That should be interesting, please let us know which it is.

What a great idea!.....You did a great job of making it functional.....Let us know how it works....I love the idea of a natural nest!

You are very crafty! Well thought out and well constructed!

I think this is genious!!

New business venture??
I'd buy one for sure:)

I love coconut (and coconut water) but that is just too much work for me! LOL I love what you did though....so neat! I'm not good with making things, so people like you who construct their own nests and cages just amaze me!

Awesome one of a kind nest!

Very good idea! Genious! Love the hatch up top!

I love this idea!! You need to market this one!!!!

That's amazing! though, i'm not fond if triangles, the opening in the top would probably be square for me(OCD OCD OCD)
that's awesome!

That looks awesome! It is a very clever idea.

Great idea and you did a great job creating it. You should sell these if you ever attend any bird shows, have any pet shops that are local - maybe they'd be interested.

One question though - coconuts are HARD as heck. Even with a drill I'd imagine it was tough to crack. Did it take you long?

its really cool! i'm sure the birds will love it