Natural wood perches

[Jess357]

Hi, I'm looking at rescuing a 5 year old vos eclectus parrot, all going in her favour I should be able to pick her up in 19 days. She will be my first parrot (other than childhood budgies)

I'm currently setting up her birdie apartment and have been reading that natural wooden perches are the best to use, and I was wondering if these had to be purchased from a store, or if it is perfectly fine do do a bit of DIY? We have a few gum trees out the front and there are great fallen branches that would make for great perches. Would I need to treat these in some way? I know we get a lot of magpies, rosellas and other birds in those trees, so is there a way to make them safe for my incoming feather baby?

 

[Calace]

This thread should answer all your questions! And congrats on rescuing your bird, you must be super excited!
http://www.parrotforums.com/questions-answers/36677-using-branches-outside.html

 

[Jess357]

Awesome! Thank you

 

[mrgoogls]

making CIY ones is great as long as it is safe wood! i have a big diy apple perch for cooper.

 

[Kimma]

If you want to make bolt on perches, I discovered the screws for it are called furniture studs at bunnings. Those, some washers (or bits of wood to act as washers) and some wing nuts, you can make bolt on perches super easy. I also used them to add vertical branches to a playgym.

In that other thread someone mentions hydrogen peroxide, but that doesn't kill germs. Vinegar kills mould and bleach kills other germs (but not mould).

 

[GaryBV]

Hi Jess - I just wanted to point out that there are a LOT of trees and branches that are poisonous to parrots - here is a place that has a list for you to go over - it's from PlannedParrothood.com

Toxic and Safe Plants/Trees for Birds - Household Poisons

 

[Kimma]

That list isn't very comprehensive for Australians. It doesn't mention grevillea, banksia or melaleuca for example which are all very common and popular with wild parrots.

 

[Jess357]

I certainly have a lot to learn in the next few weeks, I think I'll be throwing out the "free wooden perch" that came with the cage, I can't identify the wood properly, I think it might be willow but I'm not certain, so out it goes.

I have access to eucalyptus, citrus, liquid-amber, and a gnarly lavender. I think my mum has banksia and wattle too, so I have plenty to chose from that won't hurt her. I also have my own pressure washer, so after scrubbing them down with vinegar and stuff I can blast them with fresh water.

I'm definitely going to head to bunnings tho! That was a great tip!!

 

[GaryBV]

Well then, here is a list of safe and unsafe plants that is more Australia-centric

safeplants

If that link doesn't work for you go to http://www.eclectusparrots.net and locate safeplants

 

[Jess357]

Lol, that's ok, it's not like I advertised I was Aussie ;P

A lot of the sites are conflicting tho, some say yes to eucalyptus and nectarine where others say no go.. Ugh.