Coconut hut - safe or not?

[Tyne]

I have a small hanging hut made from a hollowed-out coconut. It was previously used in a cage that housed sugar gliders. I would like to give it to my canaries as a "nest box." What I want to know first is, is this a suitable type of home for them to possibly raise babies in? The second thing I need to know is would it be possible to sanitize this well enough for that use? And if so, what products should I use to clean it? I would rather buy something new than risk making my birds sick, but if I can clean it out OK, then I would like to use it. I think it's neat and I haven't seen anything like it at my local pet stores.

[Monica]

I would assume that a diluted bleach solution or perhaps a pet cleaning product (I don't use any) would be suitable enough, and if you are worried you can go over with vinegar and water, soap and hot water, a good rinse, etc.

I don't know if the canaries would use it as a nest but they might.

[LovelySydney]

I definitely think the canaries would use it, just clean it up and make sure its sanitized. My parrotlet Oliver has a hanging coconut he just adores.

[RXK]

Originally Posted by Monica

I would assume that a diluted bleach solution or perhaps a pet cleaning product (I don't use any) would be suitable enough, and if you are worried you can go over with vinegar and water, soap and hot water, a good rinse, etc.

I don't know if the canaries would use it as a nest but they might.

but, isn't the coconut too porous to use bleach? i think i would skip the bleach. but, then it wouldn't really be sanitized... so, maybe just get a new one?

[Tyne]

Originally Posted by RXK

but, isn't the coconut too porous to use bleach?

I think you're right about the bleach. I have a pet-safe cleaning product that I am going to try.

[SerBonz]

You could boil it in boiling water.

[tielfan]

You can bake it in the oven. That's what I do with new wooden toys.

[tabooh]

I tend to generally boil in water wood toys and then place them in the oven for drying.

[rewki]

Water, soap and vinegar is an excellent way to disinfect. Hang dry in direct sunlight for a couple of days.

[RXK]

Originally Posted by Tyne

I have a pet-safe cleaning product that I am going to try.

but, are "pet-safe" cleaning products really safe for birds?! i don't think they are to be honest. and, they probably won't even disinfect it properly. so, i like the suggestions given right above: boil it, bake it, or both.