Build your own stands -- safe lumber?

[brockw82]

Hey all,l I did a search but couldn't find what I was looking for. I want to build my own parrot tree but not with branches from outdoors. Does anybody know if un-treated lumber from Lowe's or Home Depot would be ok?

 

[triordan]

if you use pine they can eat right through it, try something harder like poplar, but yes as long as you dont use oak it should be fine..you can always check this site~Bird; Birds: Safe, Toxic Trees, Woods. Safe Tree Wood. Parrots. Parrot cages.

 

[Klaery]

Here is another safe woods/foliage link. Safe and toxic plants | The Witty Parrot

Have you thought about making something out of PVC piping? Cheap and easy (though in my opinion doesn't look nearly as good).

 

[brockw82]

Yeah I thought about PVC but wanted to go with wood. I am afraid going out and cutting my own branches for fear of parasites or disease so I thought I'd go with lumber instead.

 

[Kiwibird]

Hello. You can actually buy natural manzanita branches (bird safe) online from parrot sites. For something your bird will likely spend a lot of time on, a natural branch is always best (uniform dowels/PVC pipes create discomfort in their feet). We built our BFA a play tree, and he LOVES it. We live in an area with manzanita growing naturally, so we just had to pick a dead branch and sterilize it, but as I said, you can also buy pre sterilized branches online. For the base, we went to a thrift store and bought a wood end table that has storage underneath (where we keep spare toys, paper and extra food). We used l-brackets to secure the big branch to the top of the table, and used smaller branches (secures with screws) in between natural forks in the big piece to create a "tree". We hang all kinds of toys and foraging things in it too. Here's a link to him in his "tree" I posted on a different question- http://www.parrotforums.com/attachm...984-i-cant-believe-we-got-amazon-dscf1600.jpg It not only is his very favorite place to be, but it actually doesn't look too bad either. Best of luck to you!

 

[brockw82]

Where can you find manzanita branches that large?

 

[henpecked]

I have dragon wood in large sizes. You can also use hickory or ash handles for shovels ,axes, etc. If they are varnished or painted you would need to sand or remove any finish.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

my friend used pine dowels on their African gray's perch, they switch out the dowel once to twice a week as he chews it to a nub. fun for him, as long as you don't mind replacing it all the time (they have a pile of pre-cut dowels).

I prefer natural perches myself.

 

[Kiwibird]

As I said, we have it growing naturally here. We just cut that big branch off a half dead bush in my parents yard. I know both (smaller) pet stores in town carry nearly as big pieces that have commercial tags on them and you can tell they've been commercially sanded/sterilized. Some company must sell them, I just don't know the name. There are also other types of parrot safe woods that grow naturally in other regions of the country, but you would have to research what they are. Sterilizing natural wood is pretty easy. You just get your piece, power hose it down, scrub off the dirt, hose it some more and right before you set it out to dry, pour a couple pots (depending on the size) of boiling water over it. I've never had an issue with bugs/illness due to using natural wood literally right out of the woods. My parents have been providing their 3 birds with natural manzanita from their yard for 40 years, and none of them have had issues with it either. If you do use natural wood, you'll also need to be sure to sand it down where needed and use a drill to make holes, then wire it into the cage (or use basic hardware like l-brackets and crews for a freestanding perch).