Making Perches

[Falsk]

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So Saturday I was able to abuse, I mean, use the help of my dear boyfriend and sister while cutting down some maple and crepe myrtle branches for some natural perches. Information on maple wood is kind of sketchy so I decided not to risk it and spent the afternoon with them peeling the bark off of the maple branches.

I also cut up some smaller crepe myrtle twigs I can use for foraging stuff for some toys and even to just attach to sides of the cage.

I took everything-- twigs, and both types of branches, and scrubbed them down in diluted bleach water on Sunday and then left them out in the sun to bake for the rest of the day.

I went to the hardware store today in search of hanger bolts and couldn't find any stainless steel kind. The site Beth refers people to (Parrot, Birds, Perches: Bird Perch. Bird Safe natural wood perches. Parrots Supplies.) says the washers are the only things that need to be stainless steel. Is this true? Does anyone here use zinc hanger bolts and wing nuts?

Similarly, with fresh forage, how fresh is it after you've scrubbed and baked it? Beth mentions putting in fresh branches for the birds to chew up but also mentions cleaning them. Does anyone provide their bird with actual FRESH-CUT branches? I'm a wee bit confused.

Thanks guys.

[chapala]

I don't bake my branches, just hose them off and let them sit in the sun for a bit. I provide bamboo, hibiscus, citrus, and palm to my birds.

[r2rusmc]

I'm doing a lot of tree trimming around here.

On Sunday I threw a limb with leaves on top of the aviary and the macs went to town tearing off all the leaves and throwing them to the ground. Only did this with maple. The oak will have the bark pulled off, dried then used as perches next year.

Guess they didn't want anything obstructing their view of the trees and sky.

[Falsk]

Chapala -- Lucky you to have such nice diversity! I'm stuck in Jersey with just pine and maple. Bo-ring.

r2rusmc -- One of the websites on BirdBoard says with regular maple trees, there's a chance of some sort of fungus growing under the bark (more so with red and Japanese maple, which we also have but I just avoided). Is that not the case? Should I not be as worried? Pretty much my only choice of trees are the maple, crepe myrtle, and maybe eventually the dogwood (though it is pretty mossy... is moss bad?)

[r2rusmc]

Not sure about the moss but I'd probably avoid it.

As for the fungus. I have strong healthy trees, I'll take my chances.

Do practice some common sense. If the limb has loose or separating bark on a fresh cut limb they you would want to set that aside and not use fresh.

I won't tell you not to worry but to use some common sense and follow some basic guidelines.

Keep in mind that if you talk to 10 different bird people, you'll most likely get 10 different responses on using fresh maple.

[Falsk]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

[birdlover912]

If your bird's aren't going to be chewing on the lag bolt or nut of the perch, I don't see why they need to be stainless steel. This hardware is on the outside of the cage where it would be difficult for them to access (just watch them when they are out to play).

[Sigmar]

the fungus among woodworkers is called spalting. It is extremely bad for the respiratory system. Tho beautiful when made into boxes and furniture it shouldn't be handled unless your wearing a dust mask. Its most commonly seen in maple but still can be found in many other varieties of trees. When you cut a branch look for any black rings, its a sign of it. Most of my life I've spent designing and building fine furniture so on this take heed.

[Falsk]

Thanks Sigmar. I'll keep that in mind.

[Congobongo]

After a good windy storm I have good sized twigs and branches I pick up out of my yard, hose off and let my birds have at them. They are maples and don't have any fungi or moss. They love to climb on them and chew them up.