Branches

[ellsiebird]

Random question...

Is it safe to put branches into Ellsies cage?? If i find them, is there away of treating them? my biggest concern would be parasites ..i live in the UK so im not aware if any major diseses around etc...

if so can i treat them to clean them as such? i know to bake pine cones etc...

i would buy spe******t parrots branches but i just spent big money on getting her a new cage... but it came with no purches so its a bit bare with the tiny perch from her old cage!!

Thanks

 

[suebee]

i cant remember how to treat the wood, there have been threads about it, you can re-use some of the fittings from shop brough perches an yes we have red mites etc in uk so wood would need treating.

there is a product from beaphar, anti parasite spot on for medium birds that will treat the mite problem, but best to be safe first

i've had my eye on the huge magnolia tree from work that i intend to make nut some perches out of, as the shop brought ones cost the earth, so if any1 knows a way or treating the wood that'll be great

 

[Spiritbird]

Scrub branches with soap and water. Then put enough water in a tub to cover them and soak overnight if can in a water/bleach mix of 1 part bleach to 25 parts water. I got this from one of my bird books. You can also add several drops of grapefruit seed extract which every bird person should have a bottle of.

 

[skycon]

Also keep in mind the type of wood you are using. Some wood can be toxic to birds and others are best with the bark removed. Here is a good site to use as a reference:

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

What Spiritbird recommended is how I have known for wood to be sterilized for birds.

 

[Spiritbird]

If the brances are small you can bake in oven at 200 degrees for about 30 min. then turn oven off and let sit until cool

 

[ellsiebird]

Awesome, thanks for that... now i just have to put up looking like a crazy stick hauding lady x

 

[Spiritbird]

If you can find a site where trees are being cut for construction or trimming you will have it easy. Just need to be able to identify the trees. Happy branch hunting.