NESTS  Here are some cheap and easy nests that you can make yourself at very little cost, and throw them away after each clutch thus avoiding the messy job of cleaning. I use them for zebs, societies, african firefinches and african orangebreasts. The gouldian nests are made at our local bird club, and for $8.50 I find them terrific value. THE FINCH NEST
The materials required for this nest are

• A milk or other cardboard container ( I find the 600g size ideal, about 5 inches by 3 inches by 3 inches. ).
• A piece of bag  to fit. ( I use potato bags which I have washed when my wife is out. Make sure you clean up well.).
• A piece of wire ( light gauge).
• Some soft grass or a piece of bag that is shredded. ( I use couch grass runners).

Simply open the container end fully and then cut the ends of the container down to where they fold so that they can be bent to seal the end. Fix with a paper stapler on each side. Take a razor knife and cut a slot the length of the carton about one inch wide. Pierce two holes in the back of the container at either the top or the bottom depending on how you wish to fix the nest. Your nest is now made. Use the wire to fix the nest onto a branch, aviary wall, or cage front.
The pictures show the materials and the finished nest. For the larger container I cut it to approximately the same size as the smaller one. Total cost about 10 cents, and I have bred a lot of finches in these. THE GOULDIAN NEST ...........

• These nests are good for gouldians and parrot finches. I buy them already made from my bird club, and they are made from pine and ply. The pictures are to help you construct your own, here are the measurements.
• Length 12 inches.
• Width 6 inches.
• Height 6 inches.

The lid lifts off for easy inspection and the entry slots are 1.5 inches wide. The back is about 2 inches higher than the nest with a hole for fastening. I don't throw these away after breeding but I do give them a thorough clean before the next season. An Alternate Finch NestThis is a simple nest made from plywood and suits most finches. A lid may be added depending on the type of finch it is to be used for.
Length 6 inches, Width 5 inches, Height 5 inches.
To fit simply drill a couple of holes in the side or back and fix with wire as in the milk carton nests. This nest is filled with couch grass runners but hessian bag or other suitable materials may be used.