If you are the owner of budgies of different sexes, then sooner or later you will have to think about how to make a house for budgies with your own hands. The presence of a nest will be a clear incentive and a good help for birds who decide to continue their family. They are necessary both for a single breeding of chicks, as they say, "for themselves, for home and family", and for breeding offspring for further sale.
I must say that for all the time the place for breeding parrots has gone through several stages of evolutionary development. Initially, the owners sought to make a house for budgies with their own hands, imitating a natural bird's nest. Then more modern options appeared and took root. As you know, these birds do not build their own nests on their own, so if the owners want to have offspring and breed, they will have to do it for their pets. How to build a nesting house for parrots? What materials to use? How to hang? Where to place it right? There are a lot of questions, but we found answers to them, which we want to share with you today.
Vertical or horizontal
There are two designs (types) of nesting houses. Vertical designs are convenient in that they prevent premature departure of chicks from the nest. When you make a vertical nesting house for budgies with your own hands, you should remember the correct location of the perch. It should be located three to four centimeters below the entrance to the nest. Thus, a bird falling into a nest does not risk damaging the laid eggs.
The most popular is the horizontal option. The design and the chicks will not leave the nesting place ahead of time, and the bird will not harm their cubs. The sizes of horizontal houses are no different from vertical ones. The differences are only in design.
However, the combination of horizontal and vertical jacks is considered the most convenient. Compromise houses, namely this name has this combination, are both more spacious for the female, and safer for the chicks.
Materials for the house
A very common question is not about how to make a house for budgies, but from what exactly to construct it. Experts advise choosing extremely safe materials. The composition should not contain harmful impurities, glue and chemical additives.
Most often used for such work plywood. It contains a minimum content of harmful substances that can harm the masonry. Vapors here, although there are, but they occur at the ends of the material. And if you compare with particleboard, where the evaporation occurs over the entire surface, then this is the safest material for nests.
It is better to choose a lining or thin boards, they have a longer service life than plywood. The main thing is that the board is not treated with paints and varnishes and does not have large gaps. In the store, of course, you can buy a ready-made plastic house for budgies. With your own hands, however, making nests for pets will be much better.
Dimensions
The dimensions of the house for budgies, made by yourself, can be different. Everything will depend on the type of nest, as well as where it will be located. Vertical houses, as a rule, have dimensions of 20 by 20 centimeters. The height is 25-27 cm. Horizontal structures are usually a little smaller in height - from 10 to 15 cm, and the size is exactly the same as vertical ones.
The most convenient, as we have said, will be compromise nests. Width 22-25 cm, length - 20 cm, and a height of 26 centimeters.
Letok
The round entrance to the house is called a summer house. As a rule, its diameter is about four centimeters. The perch is located next to the notch, but a little lower by a couple of centimeters. So it will be more convenient for the female to fly into the nest, and the male to observe his offspring. Moreover, it is important that the perch is both inside the nest and outside. The outer part usually sticks out ten to twelve centimeters, and the inner one or two.
Also, in some cases, when the owners make their own house for budgies, they also make a special approach in the form of steps or one step. So the bird will land even more comfortable after the flight and go into the nest.
Ventilation
Mandatory is ventilation of the nesting house. Small parrots will certainly need an influx of fresh air. Drill three or four holes in the walls or the roof, this will be enough.
Litter
A mandatory attribute of any nesting design for parrots is the litter. Small shavings, shavings from hardwood or coniferous species that produce useful resins can play its role. Many experienced specialists also advise adding a few tablespoons of dried medicinal chamomile to the litter. Thus, disinfection will also result, which will not be superfluous.
It is also recommended to make several small grooves in the floor. When the bird lays eggs, they will roll all over the floor. The recesses in the form of small cells will save you from this, keeping the entire masonry together. So it will be more convenient for mom to be and quickly warm the eggs.
Cap
Without a lid, not a single house for budgies can do it yourself. Photos of some options can be found in the article. We will only say that there are two types of covers: hinged and removable. The presence of the lid allows not only with pleasure to observe the development of offspring, but also to freely clean, disinfect and monitor the masonry, and then the chicks born.
What material is better to make a cover for the socket? There are as many options as in the case of the house itself. Most often, of course, plywood is used. But you can make from another material, the main thing is that it is safe for the chicks.
Where and how to hang
Before you make a house for budgies with your own hands, you should consider the place where he will be. Breeders advise placing the house inside the cage. Thus, even before the appearance of the chicks, birds will have close contact with the nest. The female will be able at any time to explore her future home, nibble where necessary, touch with her tongue, fingering with her beak.
Also a big plus of finding a nest inside the enclosure is that the father of the family has access to it at any time. As practice has shown, females are much calmer and feel better if they hear the male walking on the roof of the house, declares her love, knocking her beak on the roof. In addition, at any time, the male will be able to fly up, sit on the fly and admire his children.
Large breeders often place nesting houses outside the cage. This is done due to the elementary saving of space. But if you already decided to do everything possible so that the birds would be comfortable in such a crucial period, then do as it suits them.
Before you hang the nest in its rightful place, a series of manipulations should be carried out. It is very good if you made a house for budgies with your own hands, and did not buy a plastic one in the store. But, despite the belief in the safety of materials, disinfection is necessary. To begin, pour boiling water over the house. Then rinse it thoroughly with cold water and dry it thoroughly. No lamps should be placed inside the house. The female in such a period does not need lighting. But the thermometer and humidity controller will not be superfluous.
After installation, it is recommended to hang chalk in a cage or put a bowl with crushed eggshell. During pregnancy and childbirth, the female needs a lot of calcium. You can use a tablet version of calcium gluconate, purchased at a pharmacy. Do not miss this important point, because due to the lack of this substance, the female will simply peck out her own masonry and will make up for the lack of calcium from it. And the chicks born in the lack of vitamins and minerals will pluck their own feathers, again, making up for the lack of calcium. This must not be allowed!