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How do you guys secure wood to cage tops?

Sylvi_

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Been meaning to make a natural cage top play-area for my littles! So, I ordered two 24” pieces of sandblasted grapewood (from blooms&branches) for the top of Mimi’s cage.

The area: (Behind Gylfie) Her cage is 32x21.
E15A15E1-2FB6-4811-A12C-F2362E587794.jpeg
Mine only shipped today, but here’s an idea of what they’ll look like. 5EB4C1FE-499C-4F06-8E10-782D590E0605.jpeg
I’d appreciate some opinions on securing them! My thought was industrial strength zip ties, are those 100% safe if chewed on?

Any other ideas for the play area are welcomed! I’ve got some vet tape for better gripping, will have to hang a boing too once I get around to it!
 

JLcribber

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You can get stainless steel zip ties. You can also use stainless steel picture hanging wire to wire it on.
 

Sylvi_

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You can get stainless steel zip ties. You can also use stainless steel picture hanging wire to wire it on.
Wow, didn’t think about those! Thanks so much!
 

Destiny

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If you have a drill, you can also use a block of wood and non-galvanized wood screws to make a simple clamp.

Figure out where you want the grapewood branch to be secured, then put a block of wood on the other side of the bars. Drill the screws through the wood block into the branch, so it is secured to the cage. If it is a big piece of grapewood, you will want to do this in a few places. You can unscrew the wood block(s) if you need to remove or reposition the branch later on.
 

Sparkles!

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I like the stainless steel zip ties.
image.jpg
 

Craftydan

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um . . . right idea, but might want to skip that listing. Zinc + Galvanized finishes => sick birdie.

you'll have to go piece-meal for Stainless hardware, but the hard-to-find bit:

1/4-20 x 2-Inch Stainless Steel Hanger Bolts, 15-Pack

I usually locally-source the stainless washers and wing-nuts as needed, since Lowes carries those.
 

Sylvi_

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Thanks for the ideas everyone! I’ll probably lay them naturally since they’re quite large & my girls are small, or use stainless steel zip ties if I need the stability.

I’ll update the thread with pictures once they’re here and set up!
 

Chris1234

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um . . . right idea, but might want to skip that listing. Zinc + Galvanized finishes => sick birdie.

you'll have to go piece-meal for Stainless hardware, but the hard-to-find bit:

1/4-20 x 2-Inch Stainless Steel Hanger Bolts, 15-Pack

I usually locally-source the stainless washers and wing-nuts as needed, since Lowes carries those.
Yep, I was just trying to give a visual of the item. Stainless is best.
 

MR. Mango

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Can’t wait to see ur finished product
 

Hermesbird

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Been meaning to make a natural cage top play-area for my littles! So, I ordered two 24” pieces of sandblasted grapewood (from blooms&branches) for the top of Mimi’s cage.

The area: (Behind Gylfie) Her cage is 32x21.
View attachment 382623
Mine only shipped today, but here’s an idea of what they’ll look like. View attachment 382624
I’d appreciate some opinions on securing them! My thought was industrial strength zip ties, are those 100% safe if chewed on?

Any other ideas for the play area are welcomed! I’ve got some vet tape for better gripping, will have to hang a boing too once I get around to it!
AHHH I love her! She's like "watcha think you doing taking pictures of me and my cages?!"

What I think birds are thinking lol
 

JLcribber

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um . . . right idea, but might want to skip that listing. Zinc + Galvanized finishes => sick birdie.

you'll have to go piece-meal for Stainless hardware, but the hard-to-find bit:

1/4-20 x 2-Inch Stainless Steel Hanger Bolts, 15-Pack

I usually locally-source the stainless washers and wing-nuts as needed, since Lowes carries those.
I’ll let you in on a secret. You can buy SS ready rod in 3ft lengths. Cut the length of anchor bolt you need. The bolt does not need a “wood” thread on one end as long as you drill the appropriate pilot hole. (3 drill bit sizes down from actual diameter)

Dress the wing nut end of the bolt so it goes on easy. Sharpen a bit of a point on the other end. Tighten half the bolt in your drill chuck and in the perch it goes.

A 3ft rod is $10. Makes a lot of 2” bolts.
 

Craftydan

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I’ll let you in on a secret. You can buy SS ready rod in 3ft lengths. Cut the length of anchor bolt you need. The bolt does not need a “wood” thread on one end as long as you drill the appropriate pilot hole. (3 drill bit sizes down from actual diameter)

Dress the wing nut end of the bolt so it goes on easy. Sharpen a bit of a point on the other end. Tighten half the bolt in your drill chuck and in the perch it goes.

A 3ft rod is $10. Makes a lot of 2” bolts.
Thanks for the tip!

I've still got half the current batch of hanger bolts left, but now, they will also be the last.
 

Sylvi_

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Oo! The wood is here, and wow is it pretty! I’m super pleased with the branch choices made for me, lots of perching areas like I requested.

They’re pretty stable on their own but I crisscrossed the pieces together to help it stay in place. If it looks wobbly, I’ll anchor it with some untreated hemp or some SS zips that y’all suggested.
I’ll be hanging a boing to the left once it arrives. Will add pics of that another day!

Gyl and Mimi gave it their beaks of approval, phew! They kindly volunteered to model the goods.
AFECC353-98AC-4D7E-A924-23689228B520.jpeg
A7A305A4-7322-4E0B-9DF5-961AA01A980C.jpeg

And I caught baby Gylfie looking mighty pleased with her domain. ;)
53CF92F7-4963-4E5A-BDB1-C6263CDB74C0.jpeg
 

Destiny

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Even if it looks really stable, it might be a smart idea to add a few anchors so if those busy beaks chew through something important or land hard, the wood is less likely to shift or fall over. Grapewood is nice thick wood and can be pretty heavy. Wouldn't want it to fall on anybody.

And it looks great up there! The manzanita perches in my aviary also came from Blooms and Branches (as well as the ghostwood in my terrarium). They provide excellent branches and great customer service.
 

Sparkles!

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Which branches did you end up buying? Link please? Pretty please, for the lazy??
 

Sylvi_

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Which branches did you end up buying? Link please? Pretty please, for the lazy??
Lol!! I went with sandblasted grapewood, both were 24” - here’s a link!
 
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