72" hardwood dowel needed

Melissa2010B

New member
Feb 17, 2010
46
0
Denver
Parrots
Cockatiel, Yellow Naped Amazon, Umbrella Cockatoo, Peach Faced Lovebird
Hi flock!

We have Oz, our adorable umbrella cockatoo :white1:, in a big aviary and need a 72" hardwood perch for him that's about 1-1/4 to 1-3/8" diameter.

But it needs to be of a bird-safe wood:

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

We're thinking maple?

I've asked and called around and everything seems to be for the furniture
maker, and isnt long enough for this.

I found this:
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Hardwood-Curtain-Closet-CAPITOL-LUMBER/dp/B001ACO3Q4]Amazon.com: 1-1/4" X 6' Hardwood Curtain / Closet Dowel Rods 3/pack [CAPITOL CITY LUMBER]: Home Improvement[/ame]

but they talk about "maple colored" so I suppose they cant guarantee maple.

No one locally in the Denver area seems to have it, and I've asked several
online sites and struck out with that too.

Does anyone know who might have it for a reasonable price. ( not like
hundreds of dollars for a rod? )
 

Auggie's Dad

Administrator
Dec 28, 2007
1,995
Media
12
Albums
1
13
South Hadley MA
Parrots
Auggie: Dusky Conure
Should be just a few bucks at your local hardware store.

If you'd consider anything near hundreds of dollars you're not just getting a rod, you're getting the shaft!
 
OP
M

Melissa2010B

New member
Feb 17, 2010
46
0
Denver
Parrots
Cockatiel, Yellow Naped Amazon, Umbrella Cockatoo, Peach Faced Lovebird
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #3
Should be just a few bucks at your local hardware store.

If you'd consider anything near hundreds of dollars you're not just getting a rod, you're getting the shaft!

Like I said, I've been calling around and went to Home Depot. Nada.
 

Spiritbird

Banned
Banned
Aug 20, 2009
5,749
Media
10
6
Here is an idea for you. Recently at a Phoenix Landing class on perches the speaker brought lots of large an small tree branches in that were parrot safe. She goes to construction sites when the trees are being cut down and gets them for free. You have to know your trees. I took a large branch from a sycamore tree and washed it in the bathtub with water to cover and 10 - 15 drops of GSE.
 
Last edited:
OP
M

Melissa2010B

New member
Feb 17, 2010
46
0
Denver
Parrots
Cockatiel, Yellow Naped Amazon, Umbrella Cockatoo, Peach Faced Lovebird
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #6
Really? EVERY hardware store around here has large dowels.

Ace, Home Depot, Lowes... Where are you located?

The Denver area, and they all tell me that they carry different things in different parts of the country.

When you say "large", do you mean what I'm looking for?

72" x 1-1/4 D and maple?
 

Spiritbird

Banned
Banned
Aug 20, 2009
5,749
Media
10
6
When I say large it is a large tree branch that was cut to the generic size of a cage for a perch. It is not a dowel. The more natural you have your aviary (and cage) the better for the birds. I am suggesting a tree branch that has been cut from a parrot safe tree. No stores are involved. You just go to construction sites where the trees are being cut or where trees are being pruned.
 

HRH Di

New member
Jan 9, 2010
1,537
Media
3
9
McKinney, TX
Parrots
Max - Alexandrine, Jade - Red-Front Macaw, Ruby - CAG
SB - I like your idea! I always thought that branches would be easier for the birds to hang on to as well.
 

Spiritbird

Banned
Banned
Aug 20, 2009
5,749
Media
10
6
Except for the rope perches I have only natural tree perches in and out of the cage. I think Rosie likes them better too. The more curves in the branch the better. In the Phoenix Landing class on making perches we were also educated on the importance of having a platform inside the cage so the birds can stand with their feet flat for a while instead of always grasping a perch. When you find that large bird safe branch you cut a slice out for a platform. If anyone wants the directions for this just ask. Not too complicated. They even gave us directions for making the PVC pipe shower perch and orbit perch wich is really something. I am not that tallented.
 
Last edited:

Most Reactions

Top