Sisal rope and play gyms

[Psittaciformes]

Start with the rope question.
What would appropriate diameters to get for perches, toys, play net? I'm looking to get a few different diameters for variety. The company has 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 24mm.

Now with the playgyms, I've been planning on making my own playgym/play tree, grandma and grandpa built a cabin near the woods, so I'm gonna go out there and try to find something safe and worthwhile.
I'd prefer to keep the bark on so Kiwiberry can peel it off herself, but is there any situation that would require one to remove the bark?

How would you go about safely disinfecting it?

Edit: Does anyone know if you can find pieces of say untreated apple tree (or other bird safe trees) branches from eBay? I'm looking but can't find anything.
They're gonna be for making ladders and climbing cubes and some other toys

 

[getwozzy]

Toys I usually use sisal twine or 1/4"....rope perches I would go with 1/2" for kiwiberry, and play net you could do the same or slightly smaller.

Some tree species are not safe with their bark- even with their bark stripped off, I tend to stay away from them... I usually use mdvaden.com as a reference, but you can google "bird safe wood" for other lists.

I power wash all my wood to remove external ickies, and then they get hung in my garage to dry-- some folks use a bleach/water solution to disinfect stuff (1 tspn: 1 gal water)

I know you can get manzanita, dragon wood, and I think java wood on ebay.... I have a ton of (untreated) apple wood and curly willow right now.

 

[Psittaciformes]

Thank you

I realise that, there are loads of different kinds of pine trees, some birches, those are probably the two main types of trees, so I gotta figure out if they're the safe ones, hopefully they are, but I'm just wondering if there's ever a situation where one should remove the bark before letting the bird on it.

Manzanita looks nice, the java wood is pretty pricy, especially the big pieces. I will have a look around Again, thank you!

 

[Christinenc2000]

I have two apple tree's that never get sprayed so I use some of the wood for that and a couple Mimosa trees they make great perches. Oh and Crape Myrtle but have to wait for trimming on those to get larger perches

 

[getwozzy]

but I'm just wondering if there's ever a situation where one should remove the bark before letting the bird on it.

Again, it depends on the species of tree you're using.... With some tree species all parts are safe including the bark, whereas others have certain chemicals in or under the bark layer that could be toxic to your bird, but simply removing the bark will suffice.

Other than that- as long as it's not a specie that calls for removing the bark, then it should be fine.

 

[Psittaciformes]

Alright, good. What about moss build up, would scrubbing it off be okay?

I have two apple tree's that never get sprayed so I use some of the wood for that and a couple Mimosa trees they make great perches. Oh and Crape Myrtle but have to wait for trimming on those to get larger perches

This is why I wish I lived in a house!

 

[getwozzy]

Yes- make sure you get rid of any moss, mold, fungi, etc. You can do this by scrubbing it off, or use a power washer to blast it off.

You can also bake the branches (if they fit in your oven) to kill anything that might be "living" in the branches. (30 min @ 250*F)

If you plan on using a bleach solution to disinfect, make sure you do this away from your birds- bleach fumes are toxic. Also, make sure you rinse them really well and let them air dry until the bleach smell is GONE.

 

[Psittaciformes]

Yes- make sure you get rid of any moss, mold, fungi, etc. You can do this by scrubbing it off, or use a power washer to blast it off.

You can also bake the branches (if they fit in your oven) to kill anything that might be "living" in the branches. (30 min @ 250*F)

If you plan on using a bleach solution to disinfect, make sure you do this away from your birds- bleach fumes are toxic. Also, make sure you rinse them really well and let them air dry until the bleach smell is GONE.

I was planning on baking the smaller branches already, but for the bigger ones, what kind of bleach would you use? Sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide?

 

[getwozzy]

Sodium hypochlorite.

 

[Flboy]

Sycamore is a good common wood!

 

[Psittaciformes]

Bit of a problem, I couldn't find any sodium hypochlorite, I think it's only legally available for businesses, not 100% sure.
I did find a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, would that work or should I look for something else?

 

[getwozzy]

Go buy some Clorox bleach from the store- in the laundry section

 

[Psittaciformes]

I'm in Sweden, so I'd have to make a long trip to get that haha

 

[Christinenc2000]

Go buy some Clorox bleach from the store- in the laundry section

That is exactly what I do. Just use a little and make sure its not in the same area the bird is in. I did mine in the bath tub and ran the fan and closed the door. It does not take much . You also might have to wt it down.

This thread inspired me . I went to local hardware store bought some Sisal . Found some Big dog rings and working on a new toy . First time using Sisal my hands are sore. Lucky its slow here at work


*** Ooops you posted where you live while I was typing this

 

[Psittaciformes]

Show some pictures of the toy when you're done

 

[getwozzy]

Lol! Oh no!! Welllllll I don't know then [emoji51]

Here's what I have


To be honest- I RARELY use bleach on anything, just because I don't particularly care for it and it's hazardous properties even though it's great at disinfecting....

 

[Psittaciformes]

Do you know of any other safe and effective disinfecting methods besides heat and bleach then?
How well do you think vinegar would work?

 

[getwozzy]

Vinegar will work! Much safer despite it's stinkiness

I know you probably won't, but don't heat it though- vinegar fumes are toxic

 

[Psittaciformes]

Thanks for reminding me! I read something about that on another thread a while back.

Vinegar it is then

 

[Christinenc2000]

Show some pictures of the toy when you're done

I will . This will be my first toy making so kinda excited about it. Nothing fancy just wanted to try