Belgian Nest Felts

[Guest]

I see from one posting on the nesting material that someone said they use nest felt.

 

PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL when buying nest felts, maybe take my advice and not buy them at all, some felts coming into the USA from Belgium have not been property processed and there is still bacteria from the used rags etc that are in their make up.

 

I have heard of several cases in the last few days where newly hatched babies are dying within about 24 hours of chipping out. The bacteria from the felts is attaching the babies trough their naval,

 

 

[mobster]

thanks for informing us hyacinth

[perk]

thing i read about nest felts was the toxins in the dye was killing young birds in the nest,i use nest felts every year never had any problems. buy mine from same stall at blackpool every year

[Guest]

You posted similar info in response to my post on using nest felts, Hyacinth. Fair warning and I must admit I wouldn't have thought about it as I would have expected any product on sale to be microbe-free.

 

As posted before, I started with the 'brown' coarsehair ones which I didn't really like as the birds unravelled them and there was a danger of feet & toes being snared in 'the knitting'. Boddy & Ridewood then advertised a 'black' latex-bound one, which doesn't unravel, can be washed or dipped, and which I now use and like very much.

 

As with the original, I think my practice of sprinkling my deep litter  (lime + stalosan) over them prior to the birds using them saved me from the problems you describe. When one round is reared, I give the nest felt a good brush-out into the bin & reverse it for the next round, (unused side up) sprinkle and give back to the birds.

 

When both sides are used, they go in a hot soapy water + virkon bath, washed & rinsed several times then hung out to dry in the sun (I put a bag over me head when I'm doing my Mrs Mop bit: Mr Odd-bod's hanging nestfelts on the washing line  to dry again, Florrie !!!!    ;D    ).

 

I also use them with the plastic 'german style' nest bowls (mesh bottom) which get the same bath. I adopted this because it was the nearest to Old Hand's recommended 'home made' wire-mesh bottom nest bowls of the 60's: ventilated, hygienic & easily-maintained.

[Guest]

Bruno nd all,

 

I thought folks over hear would have learned their lesson by now, this has neem going on for about 5 years as I know of

[Guest slugmonkey]

A guy in our club lost his whole 1st round because of these pads nearly lost whole season over them

[Guest]

Mine was a one-off purchase 2001 and 2002 and as I have the number I need for my boxes (17) I won't be purchasing any more.

 

As posted, they are thoroughly washed & disnfected at least once per year, AND sprinkled with lime / stalosan dry disinfectant before use, AND during use, all part of a pretty thorough loft hygiene system based on a total kill zone OUTSIDE the pigeon..

 

But I still heed and respect your warning Hyacinth. Although I've not experienced the problems you report, I'll still be keeping a sharp look-out for 'bovver'.

[Guest]

Don,

 

From the enquiries I mde when I was having problems, I found that the process for making carpet underlay was different from the one used to make nest felts.

 

I am sure your nest felts are just fine

 

[andy]

DANDY NESTS, SHAVINGS & WHEAT STRAW, LESS WORK JUST THROW THE LOT AWAY WHEN YOUNGSTERS REARED. BEEN USING THIS METHOD FOR 20 YEARS, CANT REMEMBER EVER HAVING ANY PROBLEMS...

[carl]

I simply wrap the clay bowls in a few sheats of newspaper before placing the bowl in the box,when time comes to clean the bowls i simply remove the paper and old nest,and give them a wash.

 

 

[snowy]

i wondered whos idea i stole with the newspaper! i had seen it somewhere but forgot who,

cheers carl

[carl]

Snowy it must be the daily star mind as they dont like the sun,

 

I found the newspaper keeps the young warm and its so easy to clean and is cost free, i use 3 sheets of paper well tucked under the bowl

[Guest]

Linda. what do you put in the nests? - Straws or Tabocco etc ?

[Guest]

Neither, we use pine needles