Woodpecker

[Anita1250]

I know that Amazons like to chew wood, but I didn't know I had a real woodpecker here. My Sam, the 38 year old BFA has developed a new zeal for wood. He is chewing me out of house and home! I have been buying parrot safe wood chunks from The Birdsafe Store for about a year now. I literally have spent hundreds of dollars. As fast as I can string the chunks onto chains, he chews them to toothpicks. Can anybody give me some advice on where I can get large pieces of parrot safe wood locally so I can cut them and drill the holes myself. I am sure it will save me a ton.

 

[SailBoat]

Visit your big box like Home Depot or local lumber yard and ask if they have a barrel of short cuts. If you time you visit so you are not there when they are taking care of their contractors they will be happy to show you the barrel. What you are looking for is white pine trim board as it is safe for Parrots and also soft enough for easy crewing. If your buzzsaw has an interest in a bit harder wood. Ask to see their short cut barrel for 'interior' white pine: 1X4, 1X6, 2X4, 2X6. Once again, this is not their standard full length stock, they are short-cuts that they have trimmed down for another customer.

You may have to cut to size and drill holes, but your costs will crash compared to other sources.

I have always had mobile phone at hand with its normal ton of Julio photos. I secretly have two such stores that have a Julio barrel!

NOTE: Never obtain exterior /treated lumber, the chemical used is toxic for Parrots.

 

[Anita1250]

Yes, I have purchased oak dowels to replace some perches on a play stand. He made toothpicks out of those as well. Really hard wood too. I will try it. Thanks.

 

[Scott]

If you cannot find trim pieces as Sailboat suggested, long sections of untreated 2 x 4s can be easily cut to desired length with inexpensive electric saw. Drill holes, string with stainless chain/attachments, and you are still well ahead of purchasing expensive wood toys!

 

[wrench13]

Ditto on the above, Home Depot or Lowe's scrap lumber barrels are your best bet. Explain why you need them, show a few pics and videos, and I bet the staff will welcome you taking this stuff away. It saves them the cost of moving it around, and taking up useful space in the dumpster ( which you can point out to the manager).

 

[Jen5200]

I volunteer at a parrot rescue, and we cut up untreated 2x4 lumber into squares and drill holes in the center. We hang the blocks using a skewer similar to the link and the bigger birds just love them. Easy to refill and cheap chewing material . https://www.etsy.com/listing/651286...lJQ2aSW7WxQoSZuFq2IhSqxzLSc82SlBoCuGcQAvD_BwE

 

[moon1964]

I know that Amazons like to chew wood, but I didn't know I had a real woodpecker here. My Sam, the 38 year old BFA has developed a new zeal for wood. He is chewing me out of house and home! I have been buying parrot safe wood chunks from The Birdsafe Store for about a year now. I literally have spent hundreds of dollars. As fast as I can string the chunks onto chains, he chews them to toothpicks. Can anybody give me some advice on where I can get large pieces of parrot safe wood locally so I can cut them and drill the holes myself. I am sure it will save me a ton.

My BFA loves to chew wood too. I use small round logs from my trees around here...and put them on the bottom of his cage to keep him busy.
I have found that they like to peal bark of fresh sticks.. just an fyi

 

[scrufy]

I noticed nobody commented on the oak mentioned above.
Please look up which woods are safe for your birds.
As I've always understood Oak of any type(white, red, live, etc..) contains some long term harmful stuff like tannin.
There is quite a few woods that aren't suitable both hard and soft.