new to zebra finches, questions about nesting.

[kari]

Okay, I cleaned out my zebra finches nest cause it was nasty. I put some pulled apart cotton balls, yarn, toilet paper shreds, and plastic grass in their cage for them to build a new nest. They didnt touch it for about a week then they started building a nest. Then all of a sudden they ripped it all out again. What is their deal?!

[cindy]

I would avoid cotton balls and toilet paper...the fibers in cotton can constrict little toes and toilet tissue will get drenched and can mold from the urine under babies, some toilet tissue is scented and can be fiber dusty, plastic grass might be a bit to stiff for young babies to sit in.

Try getting a bag of Timothy grass or Orchard grass at the pet store, start the nest for them with a bit in the nest and leave some in a container on the bottom of the cage.

[kari]

My husband brought in some grass clippings and the boy is going to town with it! But everytime one of the girls tries to help or even goes to the grass he chases them off... why wont he let them near it?

[Chantelleb]

I use Timothy hay and the Ecco bedding for my zebras to use foe nestling material.

[cindy]

if the clipping are from out in the yard make sure they are clean, especially if you have wild birds, animals in your yard. Best to use a clean product such as the bagged grasses from the pet store

[kari]

Good to know. anyone know why the male wont let the females near the nest?

[finchmix22]

He may be just a little territorial or he's new at the whole business.