Wood shavings.

[Deleted]

When a hen has removed all the wood shavings from the nest box but still hasn't laid any eggs, do I have to put more in for her to remove? She is going in and tapping about and her and her best man are still doing the courtship thing but there doesn't seem to be any mating going on. They both seen to be in breeding condition but there's no action. Any advice welcome.

[Nicola]

My hens remove the shavings as well when they're breeding. I personally don't add more as they will throw it out again and waste it. I add more when the eggs hatch and then clean fully when it gets too dirty. Just make sure that when you add more shavings (especially if there are still eggs to hatch) leave it out overnight in the same room as the cage so when you put the shavings in it doesn't dry out the nest box and take away the humidity that the eggs need to hatch.
Hope this helps,

Nicola

[BudgiesBuddy]

Wood shaving are necessary for many reasons.

I usually keep adding the amount hens remove daily. So as soon as they start incubation, they stop removing and kind of get on with it.

[Deleted]

Thank you. She has removed all the shavings so I will go and add some more now.

[sydney]

why your on this topic can i ask if this is safe to use for nest boxes or eve cage and aviary floors? thanks

[Learner]

Apr 23, 2013 10:51:02 GMT BudgiesBuddy said:

Wood shaving are necessary for many reasons.

I usually keep adding the amount hens remove daily. So as soon as they start incubation, they stop removing and kind of get on with it.

Oh dear... something else I've never heard of so never done.

I bred budgies (just a few) more than 40 years ago and I'm sure I didn't put wood-shavings in the nest box. I would have thought they could cause irritation to hatchlings eyes.

Don't the hens simply lay their eggs in the shallow depression in the next-box?

[BudgiesBuddy]

There used to be some sort of other things at that time.
Wood shaving keep the nest box dry, and clean.
Help stop the splayed legs by giving support to chicks feet.
Stop the eggs from rolling.
And so on...

[Learner]

May 2, 2013 16:20:36 GMT BudgiesBuddy said:

There used to be some sort of other things at that time.
Wood shaving keep the nest box dry, and clean.
Help stop the splayed legs by giving support to chicks feet.
Stop the eggs from rolling.
And so on...

Thank you - I have learnt something new.

Next daft question coming up:

Do people buy the wood shavings from pets shops for this purpose or make their own?

(I was wondering what size / coarseness would be suitable)

[Deleted]

I get mine for my guinea pigs from the pet shop. Make sure you get shavings and not saw dust.

[BudgiesBuddy]

May 3, 2013 0:04:21 GMT Learner said:

May 2, 2013 16:20:36 GMT BudgiesBuddy said:

There used to be some sort of other things at that time.
Wood shaving keep the nest box dry, and clean.
Help stop the splayed legs by giving support to chicks feet.
Stop the eggs from rolling.
And so on...

Thank you - I have learnt something new.

Next daft question coming up:

Do people buy the wood shavings from pets shops for this purpose or make their own?

(I was wondering what size / coarseness would be suitable)

Any wood-shavings would be fine, but it doesn't have to be scented, which is the case sometimes in the wood-shavings for rodents.

[Learner]

Thanks for the advice BB

[BudgiesBuddy]

May 4, 2013 10:06:57 GMT Learner said:

Thanks for the advice BB

You're welcome

[sydney]

Can anyone answer my question?

Sent from my GT-I9300 using proboards

[Deleted]

Yes it is, there is a thread about it called "time for a change"

budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/5914/time-change