Conure Nesting Material Help

[mandygo]

I have a pair of sun conures and they threw all of the pine shavings out of their box. I refilled the box, and they threw it all out again. (I know that they are known for cleaning out their nests before they lay eggs). When I went to fill the box for the third time, they had already laid an egg. Now there are 4 eggs in the box and no nesting material. I was scared to add any after eggs were laid.

My concern is for the babies when they hatch. Are they going to be ok on the hard floor of the nest box or do I need to try and add nesting material before they hatch? If so, any suggestions for me?

The first egg is supposed to hatch later this week, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 

[roxynoodle]

Maybe you should just provide materials but let them fill the box? How about newspaper that they can shred and put in there as they please? Perhaps some straw would work as well if you have access to some.

 

[mandygo]

I tried that. Two weeks ago I got every kind of nesting material I could find and put it in their cage with them, hoping they would use it themselves. I put a bowl of fresh pine shavings at the bottom of their cage and in different areas I hung up coconut fibers, string, cotton, and straw. They have touched none of it. Thank you for the suggestion, though.

 

[Pedro]

Have you tried untreated sawdust? I have the same problem with my sun conures. I usually wait until the eggs start to pip & then providing they don't mind nest inspections add a bit more pine shavings. Once the chicks hatch they don't bother removing it. But you do need something for the chicks to stand on.

There is a rice based cat litter that is safe for parrots. You could try that. The hen can safely chew on that & maybe she won't remove it. I have used the recycled paper in my budgies nest with great success.

 

[member]

can you use feline pine cat litter pellets as a cage liner for a parrot?
:red:

 

[roxynoodle]

I was always told to avoid wood shavings for bottom of the cage because they can grow bacteria. But there are newspaper pellet cat litters that might be ok. I've also seen "bird litter" now in the pet stores.

 

[bluedragon76]

I put in pine shaves packed at least 3 inches.They remove a little but mostly chew on the shavings.The thing you need to watch out for is if there is not eoungh for the chicks to posture them sevles they can get splayed legs.

 

[Autumn]

My conure does the same thing with the shaving, now I dont bother adding.

 

[mandygo]

I just wanted to thank everyone for your advice and I wanted to let you know that I have been adding a little more pine shavings every day. I think it is coming along nicely! I wanted to show you the progress. Check out the pictures!

 

[MikeyTN]

I've been using pine shavings as nesting material for many years without issues. Im glad kits working out for you! Post pics when they hatch!!!

 

[amysaviary]

My Sun pairs do the same thing. After they lay eggs they stop removing bedding for me but yes keep bedding in the box. You don't want the babies to have splayed legs. I fight with my pairs to keep bedding in the boxes, deeper boxes help because u can put more bedding in them to start with and pack it down that seems to help too. Good luck with the eggs and hopefully babies. Is this ur first Sun babies? I have 2 pairs with babies now. I love the Suns!

 

[mandygo]

I just checked all the eggs with a flashlight and they are all clear. Should I go ahead and pull them out? Any advice/suggestions?