is brass okay?

[SunMommy]

My husband is going to build our birds a play gym and he wanted me to ask if Brass was okay for the screws???

Thanks!!

[pbinva]

That's a good ??? - I know that Stainless steel is fine to use..... I will wait to see what the consensus here is on this question....You've got me curious now.....

[wildirish]

Brass is a "new metal" generally used as a plating for appearance in decorative hardware
It is also a soft metal. Although brass is man made from Zinc & Copper, the term "new metal" refers to the fact that it is no longer 2 metals combined, but has undergone a molecular change, creating a "New Metal"

Have your hubby buy SS screws it is the only ones that are truely safe! You can also use Nickle plated (watch what type of metal is used underneath though), but the finish will wear off and rust occurs.

[pbinva]

Thanks Tammy - I knew ss but wasn't sure about the brass - good info to know!!

[SunMommy]

Thanks! They had a lot more selection in Brass than SS at our local stores. I am going to try to do some more research on this. No way will we do something that would hurt our babies but it would be nice to know if there were another option for screws, etc.

Anyone else??

[SunMommy]

well this case is closed. I just found this.

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Both of these metals are potentially toxic to birds.
Brass padlocks are probably not a problem for cages of small birds who are unlikely to chew the padlock. However, they should be avoided around larger birds who are able to chew them.

There was a report recently in the Journal of Avian Medicine & Surgery of a hyacinth macaw who nearly died from zinc poisoning. He had destroyed 3 brass padlocks and had also chewed on the chrome cage wires (chrome also contains zinc).

No Brass for us.

[babypiggy]

lol i was gonna say it wasn't safe but i guess i got the info u need

;)

[Phebus]

This thread makes me wonder about the water buddy water bottle which uses a brass drinking valve.

Do you think this is ok?

[Valo's Moirana]

Originally Posted by Phebus

This thread makes me wonder about the water buddy water bottle which uses a brass drinking valve.

Do you think this is ok?

nope.... wouldn't use it. especially metal can leach into the water over time

[Parapetenia]

Always error on the side of caution. That said, brass is safe for reef aquariums, with corals, which are easily killed by copper and zinc(in a matter of minutes).