Making perches with branches

[failurebydesign]

I used Magnolia branches to make a few long perches in my cage,
now I am wondering do you take the bark off first?
I have read that they are safe tree's, it's my tree and we trimmed the branches off today, cleaned them in boiling water+white vinigar,

the bark strips off easily, the branches are still alive but I wont have my bird for another almost 2 months.

[sugarbeth]

I left the bark on the gym I made for my new Hahn's - I imagine it's a lot of fun for them to chew off. :)

[chapala]

If the wood is safe, the birds really enjoy chewing on the bark and ripping it off.

[failurebydesign]

Okay thanks :)

[maggy]

Yep, if it's safe wood then leave the bark on...lots of fun, good beaksasize.

[suzhouchen]

Originally Posted by chapala

If the wood is safe, the birds really enjoy chewing on the bark and ripping it off.

Is a cherry tree safe to use for branch perches? Maybe I should be asking what trees are not safe?

[sugarbeth]

Cherry is on the "not safe" list, unfortunately.

Bird; Birds: Safe, Toxic Trees, Woods. Safe Tree Wood. Parrots. Parrot cages.

[suzhouchen]

Originally Posted by sugarbeth

Cherry is on the "not safe" list, unfortunately.

Bird; Birds: Safe, Toxic Trees, Woods. Safe Tree Wood. Parrots. Parrot cages.

Talk about yanking branches out of a cage. WOW I had no idea. I have since requested someone to get me safe tree branches from that list on the link you sent. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.


Bamboo was safe so I am going to harvest some bamboo and make balls and stuff. That will be a good and free toymaking idea.

Thank you again.

[clawnz]

Originally Posted by failurebydesign

I used Magnolia branches to make a few long perches in my cage,
now I am wondering do you take the bark off first?
I have read that they are safe tree's, it's my tree and we trimmed the branches off today, cleaned them in boiling water+white vinigar, the bark strips off easily, the branches are still alive but I wont have my bird for another almost 2 months.

Magnolia should be fine. I would give the perch a good scrub again just be fore you get your bird. Human pollution, road side trees. This should wash off OK with warm water and household detergent. Keep perch wood dry to stop any molds from getting hold.
Most Hardwoods are good, and a perch of varing size for good foot excerise is Tops.
I use some fresh woods just for natural chewing items.
All the branches on the play gym and cage were fresh when installed.
But are Paperbark Gum, manuka, Pururi. The Paperbark is great for my little girl as she has very poor grip and the parchment like bark gives her better grip.

Cherry is on the "not safe" list, unfortunately.
I also have Cherry on my 'No No' list. so would not use the branch wood fresh for perches, just in case. But if it was well aged and dry then I would use it.
The Tui's and Rainbow Lorikets (wild that is) see Cherry Blossom as a Banquet and thrash the trees they visit here in NZ, and Tweety has just had some tops in flower.

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Cockateils :: Tweety Pigging Out video by clawnz - Photobucket