Do NOT use artificial "looped" rubber-based turf!!

[Babs _Owner]

Just a warning to my finch friends.

I have a breeding pair of javas that tossed coco fibre, threw out tommy hay and just kept scattering their eggs to the winds.

So I bought "chicken grade turf mats". The java hen did well keeping her eggs in the circle we cut out (no eggs scattered)....then trouble happened.

I was cleaning the bird room today and behind me I heard frantic flapping and looked across the room to see my Java female hanging from one leg from the entrance of her nestbox, flailing frantically to free herself and in almost killing herself or breaking a leg to get free.

I screamed for Bill (who is 6 ft tall and could access the inside of the nest), while I rushed into the flight and stablized her as Bill freed her back-talon that was impaled into the rubber base of this turf.

Thank GOODNESS she is not injured (but if we didnt catch her-she would have died).

I suppose I will have to go to sterile sawdust as an option. This product is great for chickens, but please dont consider this for your finches in their nestboxes.

[wildbird]

I believe I've heard of breeders using Aspen shavings in the nest box and on the floor. Lucky Java, that you were there to save her!

[sparrowsong98]

Eek, scary. Well, I will just keep giving my girl paper towels to line her feedcup with then. Didnt know they made something like this for chickens though, so maybe my big birds will get to try it.