question regarding metal and safety for parrots

[l0qo]

I know most of the common toxic metals for birds like copper, zinc, etc. im having trouble finding any definitive answers regartding carbon steel with a cold finish though. the few things i find just discuss it as a cookware. im wondering as a perch though. im making my conure a simple perch to look out the window and i have some carbon steel rods that would be perfect.

 

[Free as a bird]

I know most of the common toxic metals for birds like copper, zinc, etc. im having trouble finding any definitive answers regartding carbon steel with a cold finish though. the few things i find just discuss it as a cookware. im wondering as a perch though. im making my conure a simple perch to look out the window and i have some carbon steel rods that would be perfect.

Good question. I can't give you a definitive answer regarding its toxicity for birds but I can't tell you this... Carbon steel rusts.

I'm not sure if that's a problem for birds but iv avoided using steel rods as perches just in case. Mild steel rods have a black mill scale finish which I don't know is ok for birds either

On the other hand cages are made from steel and painted so it may not be as big a problem as I think.

Stainless steel would be the safest metal to use. It doesn't rust and is the most hygienic metal

 

[PrimorandMoxi]

What if you attached wood perches to the metal structure so the bird does not have to touch the metal?

 

[wrench13]

Plain carbon steel rods, that have no rust or mill scale on them would be OK. Cold and smooth enough to not really give the claws a decent hold, but still OK. But - rust quickly forms on carbon steel and that is not good. And cages, tho made of steel, are not painted but powder coated, a process that leave a really hard and incredibly tough coating on the cage materials. Regular paint is too soft and can be chipped off easily, and paint chips are not on you parrots menu!