Grass Perches

[homebird]

Since the spring I've been gathering fresh grass for my Budgies & they have been very happy. When Fall came the opportunities where way less & the worry of mold on the plants was very real.

Before the grasses got old - or if their stems are still green you can pick them & make them into perches. My first few attempts were OK but over time the birds worked the perches until they were loose stems - i had used the grass leaves to tie the perch together.

Note: they tend to roll so either push one end into a horizontal/vertical bar section or use clips & tied at both ends. We had some amusing incidents when Laker was like a Lumberjack riding a log.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m33/lakerbird/messageboard%20size/LakerRiooutsiderioexploringjuly17_0.jpg
Laker outside this summer.....

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m33/lakerbird/messageboard%20size/grassperch-june11_0710.jpg
Even the smaller first efforts were loved & chewed to death by the lads.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m33/lakerbird/messageboard%20size/grassperch-june11_078.jpg
This was Rio's - He's on his 3rd or 4th by this time. He's a real chewer.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m33/lakerbird/messageboard%20size/perches_aug-07003.jpg
These are the second generation perches. I also included the seed heads inside the perches + the grass leaves whenever i could.

Next Spring i'm really going to make lots more.

[Babyluv12]

They look great! Cute budgies!

[Jessincka]

That's a fantastic idea!
Not only will the budgies like it, but it actually LOOKS good as well. ;)
Ace job, I say.. that's my next art project for sure.

[Demonique]

wow, think I'll be doing that when the spring comes! would do so now, but we got our first bit of snow this weekend (it didn't stay), so I think it's definately a little late! but they look amazing!!!

[Marsheliah]

Hmmm... Might have to scrounge up some seed from outside and grow some inside, all safe! Nice idea!

[Demonique]

hmmmmmm Never thought of that! great idea....can see myself running out tomorrow after work lol

[Violetblue]

Great idea!

If you cure it long enough it should not mold, make sure it dries long enough in a dry sunny place. Basically it's hay.

I use hay from the orchard grass that my horse eats. They LOOOOVE the stems.

I never thought of weaving it together, though I would be worried about the string and some entanglement problems. I clip a bunch together, shorter stalks.

They love the dried heads with little seeds in it.

[cute_coco]

That's gorgeous, great job, wonderful idea!!!

[Squeak_Crumble]

wow thats cool.would reeds work???

[homebird]

Great idea!

If you cure it long enough it should not mold, make sure it dries long enough in a dry sunny place. Basically it's hay.

I use hay from the orchard grass that my horse eats. They LOOOOVE the stems.

I never thought of weaving it together, though I would be worried about the string and some entanglement problems. I clip a bunch together, shorter stalks.

They love the dried heads with little seeds in it.

You're right about the string :budgie: - it has to be watched. I liked it better when i was using the grass leaves to tie it together but the boys really tore it apart in about a week. The grass gets moldy out in the field - is what i meant - so you kind of have to stop picking it late August.

I started picking grasses in May [just after i got our baby Budgie] right thru until October as this year we've had next to no Fall. Although i am a farm girl at heart i was still amazed at all the different types of grasses available in our city parks that come out from May until the end of July - in our city they have thankfully stopped spraying.

Also the grass works best while it is still a bit fresh - easier to manipulate. & it smells just like 2nd cut Hay!! - just lovely.

[homebird]

wow thats cool.would reeds work???

I don't know - as long as it is not on the 'toxic' to bird's list [& that can vary or is hard to pin down sometimes] it should be OK.

I also used willow - but i am sensitive to the smell. I used willow as a structure for a climbing thing for my guys + also for the top of their cages. Then i wove the grass stems into the willow frame. It lasted until October - so about 3 months. The willow does get brittle so you have a short window of opportunity to work with it.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m33/lakerbird/messageboard%20size/june15_07027.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m33/lakerbird/messageboard%20size/LakerRio-wovengrassmatt-june11_0-4.jpg
here are the 2 lads playing with that weaving


I've woven reeds - bulrushes - as we can eat the roots maybe it is OK???

[Nancy]

I have ornamental pampas grass growing in my yard. Would that be okay to use? Seed heads and all?

[homebird]

That's an excellent question & i don't know the answer.

It probably wasn't too 'smart' of me to go & pick all those different grasses - but htey were all grasses I'd seen at out farm, used for hay. I assumed they'd all be OK. Then, when i was wandering around i started noticing the lovely grasses grown in gardens & in city containers. But i stopped when it thought to try one or 2 - i worried - but really it's grass right??

The Budgies didn't eat them all - they didn't seem to like the fluffier tops. But he stems & grass parts would be OK i'd think.

I wonder if you could get the info from the government or a nursery?

[Nancy]

I will try to do some research. There are so many different types of ornamental grasses though. I just love what you did and would love to try it but since I'm not sure I won't do anything until I find something out.

[Nancy]

Well, I've been reading up on pampas grass and I don't think I will use it. Not because it is poisonous but because the edges of the grass can be dangerously sharp. I wouldn't want to slice a toe.

[Billie]

The grass perches look fantastic... and I must say, your budgies are very photogenic!! :)