Hey all!
So, I've been working on building a play tree for my two cockatiels, and a few weeks ago, after doing a mind-numbing amount of research, I finally STARTED this project!!! But of course, given that I tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to my birds, there were a few things I wanted to go over.
The branches I picked out I got from a nearby nature reserve, so I know no pesticides were ever in the area. I took them home, cleaned and scrubbed them in hot water in the shower and wiped them down with Grapefruit Seed Extract/Water solution. The past week, we have had a streak of nice (cold, but still...) sunny days, so the branches have been outside (on a table close to the back door of the house) soaking up the sun.
I was planning on baking the smaller branches at about 200F for between a half hour to an hour; however, the base of the play gym is about as tall as I am! Is there anything else that you guys would recommend doing to ensure that the base part of this play tree is disinfected as thoroughly as possible?
Also, when I was originally collecting the branches, I thought I was collecting branches from a beech tree. However, a friend of mine (and nature expert) was visiting me today, and I asked him to check the branches just to see if I'd identified the branches correctly. Apparently, the branches are NOT from a beech tree but are from a MAPLE tree.
He is guessing it is either a sugar maple or a red maple, but can't be sure. Which is fine, I think, so long as I remove the bark from the branches... I've been using this website as my guide: Bird; Birds: Safe, Toxic Trees, Woods. Safe Tree Wood. Parrots. Parrot cages.
So my other question for you all is: what is the best way to remove the bark?
Thank you so much! I would also love to hear about/see pictures of diy play tree projects that you all have done!
So, I've been working on building a play tree for my two cockatiels, and a few weeks ago, after doing a mind-numbing amount of research, I finally STARTED this project!!! But of course, given that I tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to my birds, there were a few things I wanted to go over.
The branches I picked out I got from a nearby nature reserve, so I know no pesticides were ever in the area. I took them home, cleaned and scrubbed them in hot water in the shower and wiped them down with Grapefruit Seed Extract/Water solution. The past week, we have had a streak of nice (cold, but still...) sunny days, so the branches have been outside (on a table close to the back door of the house) soaking up the sun.
I was planning on baking the smaller branches at about 200F for between a half hour to an hour; however, the base of the play gym is about as tall as I am! Is there anything else that you guys would recommend doing to ensure that the base part of this play tree is disinfected as thoroughly as possible?
Also, when I was originally collecting the branches, I thought I was collecting branches from a beech tree. However, a friend of mine (and nature expert) was visiting me today, and I asked him to check the branches just to see if I'd identified the branches correctly. Apparently, the branches are NOT from a beech tree but are from a MAPLE tree.
He is guessing it is either a sugar maple or a red maple, but can't be sure. Which is fine, I think, so long as I remove the bark from the branches... I've been using this website as my guide: Bird; Birds: Safe, Toxic Trees, Woods. Safe Tree Wood. Parrots. Parrot cages. So my other question for you all is: what is the best way to remove the bark?
Thank you so much! I would also love to hear about/see pictures of diy play tree projects that you all have done!
