nest box bedding

[Ben1.0]

I have read differing views about the nest box. Some say to put wood shavings in it for nesting and others say no. I have a separate board on the bottom with the depression that can be removed for cleaning, but not sure if I need bedding also.

[maxollie]

How old are your budgies? Have you seen them mating? Generally, budgies need to be at least 1 1\2 years old to successfully breed them. I once bred a pair, used a regular budgie sized wood nest box and did not put any nesting material in the box. I had 4 babies hatch with no problems, nor did the babies have splayed legs or other problems after hatching. In my view, I would not put a nest box in the cage unless the above conditions I wrote were met. Nest boxes are not meant for birds to play inside of them. With budgies, once an egg is laid inside the box, the hen will not allow the male to go inside the nest box until the first egg hatches. Then, the male immediately jumps into the box, feeds the mom, and then mom feeds the baby.

[Ben1.0]

My Budgies are an adopted pair that have successfully raised young. The nest box is mounted out side the cage. Their first eggs were laid on the floor of the cage without a nest box. I don't know much more about them than that except that they are about 2-3 years old.

[maxollie]

That is a great age to breed them. It is entirely up to you where to place the nest box. I had mine inside the cage. If the hen does lay any eggs out of the box, carefully put the eggs in the box. One advantage of having the box inside the cage is that the male can perch right outside the nest box and be more supportive of the female.