breeding season nestboxes

[micko and jack]

with the coming breeding season fast approaching

I would like your thoughts on this

nestboxes

should they be left as they are bare plywood

or

should they be painted to seal the timber

from mites and such likes

if sealed painted or varnish

if paint

what type emulsion or undercoat ???

same applies to the trays for droppings under the nestbox

[gangster]

id not paint or varnish id leave as is  id use virkon s  sprayed over the box and use old newspapers to wrap the bowl in then when  youngsters leave nest remove the paper n replase it  helps keep bowls clean

[jimmy white]

id not paint or varnish id leave as is  id use virkon s  sprayed over the box and use old newspapers to wrap the bowl in then when  youngsters leave nest remove the paper n replase it  helps keep bowls clean

 

ideal way,, virkon s pretty cheap,, but most effective,[defra approved ] i see frank taskers idea , to put the bowl on two small slats of wood , to keep the nest pan, just slightly off the base ,,as the rim round the bottom of the nest bowl , stops the air from getting through the 4 "air holes" on the base of the nest pan, this stops the dampness on the nest box  floor