The best finch nests!

For questions about finch enclosures (cages & aviaries).
Post Reply
Sheather
Proven
Proven
Posts: 2299
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2013 7:49 pm
Location: Northwest Indiana

The best finch nests!

Post by Sheather » Mon Sep 22, 2014 11:26 pm

I use these for all of my birds, and they all prefer these either to weaved wicker nests, open canary nests, or boxes. They come in several sizes, are widely available at most big box or craft stores, are easily customized, look natural and lovely, especially with some artificial greens weaved on them, and hang easily inside any cage or aviary with zipties, a little wire, or a hook. What are they? Grapevine balls!

Image

Sold for craft purposes, they also make perfect bird nests. They are much more spacious than wicker baskets and can hold up to a dozen sleeping societies, or the biggest of clutches, comfortably. They are also better ventilated than nestboxes and emit enough light so even timid bird aren't fearful to enter them. They allow easy nest inspections if positioned properly, at least compared to wicker baskets. And they're cheap! 2 dollars for a 6 inch (great for bigger birds or to accommodate a whole flock), 1 dollar for a 4 inch (good for one pair or 4 - 5 societies) For small cavity nesters, just snip a few twigs to create a little hole, and allow them to fill it to their hearts' content with grass or newspaper. For bigger birds which like a more open environment, just pull enough of the twigs away to create more of a half-covered nestbowl, and it becomes a canary's dream home. I've found all of my birds except my Javas like these for both sleeping and nesting, the Javas get a nestbox instead only because they're so large.

Image
~Dylan

~~~

User avatar
lovezebs
Mod Extraordinaire
Mod Extraordinaire
Posts: 18214
Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2013 11:51 am
Location: Calgary Alberta Canada

Re: The best finch nests!

Post by lovezebs » Mon Sep 22, 2014 11:42 pm

Sheather
Now I have to go to Michael's and check these out tomorrow. Grapevine balls... I'll have to remember that.They look great.

I've been trying to weave little nests out of wild grasses and such, just for fun. They are not great really, but good finger exercise.
~Elana~

Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~

User avatar
lovezebs
Mod Extraordinaire
Mod Extraordinaire
Posts: 18214
Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2013 11:51 am
Location: Calgary Alberta Canada

Re: The best finch nests!

Post by lovezebs » Tue Sep 23, 2014 9:16 pm

Sheather
Hey Dylan.
Went to Michael's today to look for these things. They only had two sizes in stock. The ones that are I think six inches, and the ones that are the size of a volleyball. I opted for the smaller size. They were on sale for $6.00 a piece, down from $9.00 regular. I got two. They are kinda cool looking, aren't they.
I put one in my one flight and everyone is investigating it with great interest, trying to poke spanish moss and coco fiber in there. Then someone comes up with a piece of dry grass and everything has to be pulled out again. I just love how curious and industrious they are in an ass backwards kind of way. :-D
~Elana~

Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~

User avatar
Lacybug
Fledgeling
Fledgeling
Posts: 107
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 9:57 pm
Location: Fort Worth, Texas

Re: The best finch nests!

Post by Lacybug » Wed Sep 24, 2014 12:32 am

Sheather
Cute!!! Where did you get yours for that price?
Image
Poe (NG) & Little Beep (NG/Pied)
Gandalf (NG/Pied) & Peep (CFW)
Sir Richard (Penguin/Pied) & Gwendolyn (Fawn Penguin)
R2-D2 (CFW) & Penelope (CFW)
Nyota the Senegal Parrot.
Crease the hand-tame pegleg (CFW)

Sheather
Proven
Proven
Posts: 2299
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2013 7:49 pm
Location: Northwest Indiana

Re: The best finch nests!

Post by Sheather » Wed Sep 24, 2014 1:40 am

WalMart. :)
~Dylan

~~~

User avatar
KarenB
Proven
Proven
Posts: 2013
Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 11:29 am
Location: Cypress, Texas

Re: The best finch nests!

Post by KarenB » Wed Sep 24, 2014 7:23 am

I've been using those and some other grape vine plant holder thingy in my African flight, and I think they are great. I just open a hole so they can get into it and hung mine with quick links and zip ties for stability. Tossed some coco fiber and feathers in the flight, and my birds are in heaven. I think they are the greatest thing because they look so natural. I provide them to my Linnies as toys, but I get theirs from MySafe Bird Store, because I'm not sure if the craft store ones have been treated with something, and Linnies will chew on them. I will have to try them for my societies.
KarenB

Image

User avatar
Finnie
2 Eggs Laid
2 Eggs Laid
Posts: 740
Joined: Tue May 01, 2012 10:31 am
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Re: The best finch nests!

Post by Finnie » Wed Sep 24, 2014 8:21 am

I have some from Walmart, they don't appear to be treated. They were around $4 or 5 each. I tried them with a pair of Gouldians and a pair of owls, with no noticeable interest. Now I use them for holding nesting materials.

I have not tried them with my star finches though. Maybe that would be the answer to my problem in my topic I started.
-Finnie

34 Budgies
13 Gouldian Finches
13 Society Finches
6 Owl Finches
4 Yellow Face Star finches
16 Bourke's Parakeets
4 Cockatiels

5 chickens!

OMG this signature is so outdated! Make that 50 chickens!


Image

Brenda C
Fledgeling
Fledgeling
Posts: 92
Joined: Sun Jan 26, 2014 7:03 pm
Location: Merced, California

Re: The best finch nests!

Post by Brenda C » Thu Sep 25, 2014 2:48 pm

My finch love these hamster balls...
Attachments
image.jpg
A=aviary Zebra Finch
C=Crazy Zebra Finch owner (me)
H=Zebra Finch in house
R=Zebra Finch I am hand raising

User avatar
Harley2013
Amateur Architect
Amateur Architect
Posts: 483
Joined: Sun Dec 29, 2013 5:37 pm
Location: Old Bridge, NJ
Contact:

Re: The best finch nests!

Post by Harley2013 » Thu Sep 25, 2014 6:02 pm

Those grapevines ae great! You could even use then to stuff Timothy hay in or millet so they will have to forge a little to get it. Keep them busy.
Tammie (ME!);D

Harley (Red-factor canary)~ RIP my songbird ~5/4/14
Franklin & Olive ( budgie)
Lou (19 year old son)
Tanner (24 year old son)
Love of my life Lou Jr.

User avatar
afinch
3 Eggs Laid
3 Eggs Laid
Posts: 758
Joined: Sat Apr 05, 2014 10:12 pm

Re: The best finch nests!

Post by afinch » Thu Sep 25, 2014 6:32 pm

Sheather that looks really attractive with the green leaves

Post Reply