Branches

[Will]

So far I've trimmed off some oak branches (not tan oak) to put in my budgies cages. But do I have to clean them first? And how thick should the branches be?

[x_zipped_x]

well i dont know if you have to clean them but i always do im such a scardy cat lol i always get the idea that ants are in there and that they will attack my budgies.
and i think they should be thick enough that your birds can sit comfortably on them

[Will]

What do I clean them with? Vinegar and water?

[jonathan]

what i do is use a knife and shave the bark off then wash it it takes time but my budgies like it that way. good luck.

[x_zipped_x]

well i dont really know my father is the one that does them for me but he does wash them not sure with what

[chompie_puppy]

They need to be no smaller than a broom handle thickness. :)

[Pippin's mom]

You should wash them either with vinegar and water or bleach and water and bake them in the oven..I usually bake mine for about 20 min.

[Will]

What temperature should i bake them at?

[Keet1976]

I use 325 or 350 for the temp depending on how thick and how many I have in there....When they look to be dried around 20 minutes they are done....I had always used bleach to clean them and then I rinse them really good....

I have never taken the bark off though...so far no problems....I hope that is ok cuz I never thought of taking it off.

[jonathan]

i tested my budgies i put one with bark one without they got on the one without bark more so i put more of those. either way i think it is good either way. good luck.

[BudgieBudgie]

Bleach is a very toxic chemical. I use a vinegar and water solution (vinegar really cuts the grime!) and bake in the oven for 40 minutes at 200 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Then let sit in the oven until cool to the touch.

Make sure the wood isn't from a tree that is toxic to budgies.

Keep the bark on, because they loooove to chew and strip bark.

[Pippin's mom]

If you do choose to use bleach its fine just make sure you rinse the branches very well! 20 min. baking should really be sufficient unless the branches are really thick. I also go with 350 degrees

[chompie_puppy]

I keep the bark on mine. The budgies love peeling away the bark and it is also a very natural way for them to keep their nails short. Much cheaper and better than a pedicure perch! :)

I use Bleach to clean my natural perches (diluted to the strength of kitchen cleaner). It kills all the little bugs in the branch. Something that vinegar doesn't do. It also keeps the ants away (Which is very important. Ants can kill your birds!). Just make sure you rinse the branches thoroughly!

I don't bake my branches in the oven. I let them dry in the sun.

[Flappy]

I don't bake my branches in the oven. I let them dry in the sun.

Same here, but only because they were too big for the oven, and luckily it was sunny enough!

I leave the bark on, but you wouldn't be able to with Oak, obviously. I trimmed off all the leaves and buds though, then put them in a bath filled with water, and quite a lot of bleach... then left them for an hour or 2, and came back and scrubbed all the crap off them. I then emptied the bath, and refilled with just water, and let them soak overnight, and then gave them a good rinse in the shower the next day. Just to be sure :D

[bethhogle]

I just cut some crabapple branches for my bird. I found this site and remember seeing oak on the list. I googled "OAK- Quercus" (which is not tan oak) and it is otherwise known as white oak, red oak, amongst many others-- I know I'm still a newbie, but I would rather you be safe than sorry.


http://www.mdvaden.com/bird_page.shtml

Beth

[Will]

I just cut some crabapple branches for my bird. I found this site and remember seeing oak on the list. I googled "OAK- Quercus" (which is not tan oak) and it is otherwise known as white oak, red oak, amongst many others-- I know I'm still a newbie, but I would rather you be safe than sorry.


http://www.mdvaden.com/bird_page.shtml

Beth

Thanks for that link, i realized from it that a tree i thought was a varity of maple is really a sweet gum tree :eek:

i have no idea what kinda oak mine is, i think i have 2 different kinds too. my dad might know what kind of oak they are so i'll ask him. i just hope they arent "Quercus oak" kind..

I leave the bark on, but you wouldn't be able to with Oak, obviously.

its not very obvisious to me :p
why can't you leave the bark on?

[bethhogle]

Thanks for that link, i realized from it that a tree i thought was a varity of maple is really a sweet gum tree :eek:

i have no idea what kinda oak mine is, i think i have 2 different kinds too. my dad might know what kind of oak they are so i'll ask him. i just hope they arent "Quercus oak" kind..



its not very obvisious to me :p
why can't you leave the bark on?

I think the bark has the toxins within it. I would avoid using any oak at all...