I'm sure you all have covered this many times...
What kind of wood branches are safe to put in the cage? I read somewhere you should put the branches in the oven to kill any bug that might be on them...is that necessary?
Do you need to have them sandblasted?

Bump

Here is a list of safe tree branches...

http://www.exoticbird.com/gillian/perch.html

http://www.birdsnways.com/articles/plntsafe.htm

Yes, it is necessary to bake the branches after you clean them. I usually bake mine on low in the oven for about an hour. Nope, sandblasting isn't needed. In fact, my birds love to peel the bark off the branch

Thanks!!!!!
Getting ready for Oatis. Tony said He didn't go through this much preparation when his sons were born
I told him I have never had and never will have human kids so...my pets ARE my babies!

I've used Maple, oak, and white birch for perches. I cut them to length scrub the heck out of them with a brush and hot water and then put them in the oven at about 250 degrees for a couple hours. I've not had a problem with any of them. I've left the bark on and the birds seem to like it. I'm not sure what you'd do for a perch that's bigger than your oven other than scrub it really well and put it out in the sun to dry. Someone else might have suggestions.

I mostly use rosemary and eucalyptus branches. I cut, strip and allow the branches to "sun bake" before using. Since I grow these myself I know I don't have to worry about chemicals.

Skeeter loves to strip the bark from the euc branches.
The rosemary ones mimic RL tree branches when I place a handful into something to allow them to stand firm from the base but be oh so flexible up top - just like RL trees. I'm sure this has taught Skeeter dexterity. I also use the rosemary branches on his play gym and/or his cage.
Best part - I can trash them when soiled knowing I have a fresh supply when needed.

I use maple mostly, and scrub them and sundry them also. Just make sure it's a nice direct sunbeam, and it's not just in the shade, airdrying. The warmth kills germs.

I have river birch, dogwood and maple trees in my yard. I'm thinking of putting some branches in Paulie's cage for him to strip. He is a plucker, not too big on toys, I thought this might interest him-some of the smaller limbs with leaves attached. Can those be oven baked or will they catch on fire?

In lieu of baking can they be scrubbed, then washed with something like Nolvesan, then rinsed, then sun-dried, what do you think? Bren

I probably wouldn't try cookin the leaves, you just never know! Washing and disinfecting, then sun drying should be just fine. Just make sure to check all the leaves for those little parasite pod things first.

the flash point of wood varies from type to type, however, it higher than 250 degrees...I haven't had a problem with the woods I've done...Though I do check mine quite often to make sure it isn't getting to toastie in there.

As far as using the Novulsen, I can't see why it wouldn't work...as long as its not allowed to soak deeply into the wood and is rinsed off well and the wood is allowed to dry .

I guess I just prefer to use controlled heat as opposed to the chemical myself...if it were a non pourous thing then I wouldn't hesitate to use the Novulsen. I'm just not sure how well you can get it all out of pourous things.

I never used branches with my other birds so I have to ask questions...Some of you mentioned baking the branches and some sun drying. What are you baking for? bugs? bacteria? chemicals? (If you haven't read my intro, I am currently "thinking" about getting a Quaker). I've read Quakers like to build nests so I understand the branches. What other wood things can you use? Are craft sticks or chop sticks okay?

Laura

Laura
I'm using the wood for perches...baking is to kill bugs& bacteria. Then the fids can chew them up. I think most people use soda straws and coffee stirs for building
I'm just learning myself my baby comes home tomorrow!!

Honestly I would invest in some of these Perches Cajeput Perch are the ones I am mainly talking about. The soft paper bark is a huge hit with all the birds, and the wood underneath is so hard, they pretty much leave it alone and it washes up really easy, once the bark is stripped off. The Cherry's and the Sennies are crazy about Cajeput wood. We also get the Cajeput odds and ends when they have them, they go through 2 lbs in a month easy.