Pine wood safe

[paulhanlon]

Is pine wood safe to use for make toys and perches for parrots? and do you have to bleach the wood then bake it in the oven before using it

 

[Spiritbird]

Pine is safe wood to use for birds but not one I would choose. Please see the link for alternate choices of wood. Birch and apple are good.
Bird; Birds: Safe, Toxic Trees, Woods. Safe Tree Wood. Parrots. Parrot cages.

 

[paulhanlon]

Do you have to bleach the pine then bake it in the oven or can i just use it as soon as i buy it?

 

[Spiritbird]

Suggest you learn to recognize the safe woods by looking at their leaves or get to know what the bark looks like. Then you can forage for newly fallen branches. I soaked mine in a tub with grapefruit seed extract. That soak was after I scrubbed them down with good old soap and water and a stiff brush. Bleach soak is ok too, but the smell is not good for birds or us. It is so much better than purchasing from a store or on line.

 

[paulhanlon]

Don't have pine tree's where i live so ill have to buy it

 

[cdog]

Make sure, if you buy it, that it is untreated. I would also suggest that you just study the trees around you so that you can just use those. Pine is ok, but is splinters too easily so your bird can tear through it in a day or two. Plus if you make it you will be saving money which you can use to buy treats or toys.

 

[paulhanlon]

And if i buy birch wood will i need to get it untreated?

 

[cdog]

If you buy any wood you will have to make sure it is untreated.

 

[Spiritbird]

Look through this web page and you will find some infromation about different woods for birds.

Sm-Med Perches - The Little Perch Company

 

[henpecked]

I don't know about lumber in the UK but here in the US. Most pine is ok but i don;t like or use it. "treated" lumber is treated with chemicals and pesticides that help it survive in outdoor and ground contact situations (like building a porch).I think there;s some confusion between "lumber" and wood for perches. If your looking for something to use as an upright to support your perch/playgym, then something like "closet rod" or hand rails for stairs would probably be OK because it;s something your bird won;t be prone to chewing on.Natural branches (IMO) would make much better perch of lots of reasons but you need to research what is safe in your part of the world.There are places i would avoid collecting even safe woods from, like road sides, orchards,places that herbicides and pesticides might have been applied.I don;t soak perch materials in bleach but place them in sunlight to dry and small peices can be baked in the oven. Your main concern is with things that wild birds might have left on the trees that could be transmitted to your birds.Most of these type thing survive longer in a wet environment so drying should inhibit their survival. Drying will also help to rid the sap from fresh cut branches which is the part of most trees/plants that make them toxicI wouldn't stress too much about bugs in the wood as they are mostly interested in eating the wood and not your bird (ants might be the exception). PS if you use wood products from the store make sure they aren't "finished" with anysort of paint/lacquer products.

 

[paulhanlon]

Great help henpecked thanks