Perch

[scottr02919]

Can I use fresh cut branches to make perches? If so, do I have to treat them in any way or peal the bark off?

[sowilu]

Yes for small branches soak them in soapy water and little bit of bleach and dry in the oven for big branches you can wash them in soapy water and let dry in the sun. Make sure the branches are safe to use for your fid(s). That is all I can think of maybe somebody else can add more.

[Monica]

Many say yes... However my birds prefer fresh branches, so that's what I give them. Bugs, leaves and all! Makes for better chewing!

M.D. Vaden: Birds / Perches: Safe Bird Perch supply. Bird Safe natural wood branch perches.

Cleaning Wood: One philosophy says clean bird perch wood before it’s used by soaking for an hour or two in tub of water with a cap of household bleach. Then rinse the wood in clean water. Another philosophical camp says the Chlorine bleach method may cause an occasional sickness or fatality. Maybe that’s due to too strong of a solution. The second philosophy may use mild soap and water solution followed by rinsing with clean water. Both of those viewpoints agree about allowing wood to dry thoroughly, including drying exposed to direct sunlight, provided the drying environment is clean. Oven drying needs to be hot enough to kill microorganisms, but cool enough to avoid combustion.

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Wash all wood in a bleach solution, rinse then for small branches bake in
oven at 250 for about 1 hour and for large branches wash, rinse and dry in direct sun.

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Someone else mentioned cleaning branches then putting them in the oven for at least 15 minutes at 300* while another member said to put branches in oven for 30 minutes at 200*

[lethalfire]

If the bleach scares you, you can also add about a cup of regular household vinegar to the soapy water. Will help get rid of any yucky stuff.

[scottr02919]

Thanks all... do you have to peal the bark?

[sowilu]

Originally Posted by scottr02919

Thanks all... do you have to peal the bark?

I did but what I used was a type of dried up vine that looks like wood I pealed the bark and cleaned it nice an good and put it out in the sun. The fids only use it at the bottom of the cage.

[Monica]

Originally Posted by scottr02919

Thanks all... do you have to peal the bark?

Can't say I do...