The nest box design, shown on this page, is based on nest box produced by Arlane Aviculture. I have modified it slightly by increasing the overall size of the box and I have included a perch at the entrance pop hole....... I have also included a heavier lid.
 

Many Java Sparrow breeders tend to use Budgie nest boxes for their birds when breeding.

I myself have used them successfully but I have found them to be a bit on the large side. I have found that the nest itself only takes up around a third of the space in a Budgie box leaving two thirds wasted. I have also found that, even though starting a nest off for the birds directly below the lid of the nest box, some birds will build the nest directly in front of the pop hole making it difficult to access the nest to pick up the chicks for ringing and general nest inspections.

Several Java breeders I know are now using nest boxes that Gouldian breeders use for their birds. The nest box has an off-set entrance tunnel that leads to the main nest area which means the nest is always easy to access.

I purchased a few of these form Arlane Aviculture and my Java's took to them with no problems. As I throw away nest boxes after using them I decided to build my own nest boxes which, in the long run, worked out to be a cheaper option.

 

Here is a photo of the nest box we are going to make, the first thing that needs to be done is to cut all of the panels required. Click on the drawing below to download a pdf document that lists all of the panels and sizes required to make one of these boxes.



You will need Adobe Reader to view the above.

 

The first step is to cut all of the panels required to build this type of nest box.

When I cut these I make the cuts as accurately as possible so when they are fully assembled I have minimal cracks and crevasses for mites to hide in.

These are how all the panels should look after you have cut and sanded smooth all the edges.

I would recommend labeling all the panels with the panel reference to avoid any confusion when assembling.

 







IMPORTANT: MAKE SURE YOU KNOW AT THIS STAGE WHICH WAY YOUR TUNNEL IS TO BE POSITIONED TO FIT YOUR CAGE FRONTS....I.E. TUNNEL ON THE LEFT OR RIGHT.

Take the piece of 12mm dowel and fix underneath the pop hole on panel "A1".

I strongly recommend doing this first as you have full access to both sides of the panel.


Fix panel "B" (nest box floor) to the bottom of panel "A1".

(You can use adhesive, screws or nails...I am using 3/4" tacks).

 



The next step is to fit panel "C" which will be the lower side wall of the nest box.

Note: You can see in this photo that I have screwed the perch to panel "A1" below the pop hole. I find that this makes the perch very secure and steady.

(If you decide to fix your perch with a screw then make sure you countersink  the panel to accept the head of the screw.....if the screw head is proud of the panel then the nest box will not fit together correctly).

  





Fit panel "A2" to "mirror" panel "A1".

Make sure that all the panel joints are square and neat.

 





Fit panel "D" as illustrated in this photo.

 




Panel "C" is next, this is the floor area to the entrance tunnel.

Remember...Make sure that all the panel joints are square and neat.

  

 

 

Fitting panel "E" is next, and completes all of the sides of the nest box.

  
 


Making the cut at this angle will allow the lid to hinge, and close neatly.

This cut is best done with a bandsaw with the table set at 45deg.

 
To complete the lid, mark a line 3" from one end and cut across the panel at 45 degrees (as shown in photo on the right).
  




The smaller half of panel "F" is fitted above the entrance tunnel with the angled edge facing down...i.e. you should not be able to see the angled cut when looking from directly above.

  



 
 
The next stage is to mark the side panels "A1" and "A2" to allow the lid to hinge.

Make a mark 6mm (1/4") down from the top edge at
4 1/4". Do this to both panels "A1" and "A2".

  






Line up the larger half of panel "F" into place on the top of the nest box and insert a 1" screw though panels"A1" and "A2" and into the lid.....this will enable the lid to hinge.

  

 

 

 

Your nest box should look something like this.

 



The only thing to do now is fit hangers so that you can fit the nest box to the cage front.

These are "Picture Hangers" that you can get from most D.I.Y stores....I pay 60p for a pair.

 

  

 


If you have a go and make one of these, click here and let me know if this page was useful.

  
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©Stuart Drury 2011.