How to clean natural wood perches
- koux33
- Hatchling
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How to clean natural wood perches
I have natural mesquite wood branches in my zebra flight cage, that I've been cleaning by just scrubbing with a sponge and some vinegar water. This gets them all clean and poop-free, but they still smell really nasty. More so when they're wet. Any suggestions of how to get the odors out? I'm not sure what cleaning solutions (if any) are safe for the birds.
~Kim
Proud owner of 5 zebra beauties, Percy and Gem, and their 3 baby boys.
Proud owner of 5 zebra beauties, Percy and Gem, and their 3 baby boys.
- birdclaws
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Re: How to clean natural wood perches
If they smell nasty after cleaning them, I would consider getting new perches.
You can clean them with vinegar like you have, or virkon s, or diluted bleach if you let them bake in the sun for a while afterwards.
You can clean them with vinegar like you have, or virkon s, or diluted bleach if you let them bake in the sun for a while afterwards.
Brian
Gouldians, Java Sparrows, Cape Doves
Gouldians, Java Sparrows, Cape Doves
- cindy
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Re: How to clean natural wood perches
I agree with Brian, my methods as well.
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Re: How to clean natural wood perches
I replace the branches when they are dirty with new ones.
What might help if you still want to wash them is what I do with the fake greenery: I soak it in the bathtub in hot water (as hot as possible!) and splash a good amount of vinegar in the water. When the water has cooled off I take them outside and rinse with the garden hose. (or if it's too cold in winter in rinse them in the shower.) The hot water and vinegar rely helps getting the stuck on droppings off.
What might help if you still want to wash them is what I do with the fake greenery: I soak it in the bathtub in hot water (as hot as possible!) and splash a good amount of vinegar in the water. When the water has cooled off I take them outside and rinse with the garden hose. (or if it's too cold in winter in rinse them in the shower.) The hot water and vinegar rely helps getting the stuck on droppings off.
Walk-in aviary with Waxbills (6 Cordon Bleu, 3 Orange Cheek, 3 Black-rumped, 1 Lavender, ), 1 European Goldfinch, 4 Gouldians, 2 Spice Finches, 6 Owl Finches, 4 Budgies and 2 male Button Quail.
I also have 2 parrotlets, 3 dogs, 1 snake and 3 freshwater fishtanks.
I also have 2 parrotlets, 3 dogs, 1 snake and 3 freshwater fishtanks.
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Re: How to clean natural wood perches
I use a brush w plastic bristles and SCRUB the branches and remove all visible poop. Then I pat them dry w paper towels and put them back in the cage. If you have spare perches that you can use while you sun dry the branches, that would be better.
Gary
gouldians (GB,YB,BB), blackbelly firefinches (trying to breed), societies (foster parents).
red factor canary
gouldians (GB,YB,BB), blackbelly firefinches (trying to breed), societies (foster parents).
red factor canary
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Re: How to clean natural wood perches
I wipe the caked stuff off with a wet paper towel, then wipe it with a lysol wipe, leave it to dry thoroughly and replace it into the cage.koux33 wrote:I have natural mesquite wood branches in my zebra flight cage, that I've been cleaning by just scrubbing with a sponge and some vinegar water. This gets them all clean and poop-free, but they still smell really nasty. More so when they're wet. Any suggestions of how to get the odors out? I'm not sure what cleaning solutions (if any) are safe for the birds.
Two gouldians, two gold breast waxbills, two societies, four zebras, two canaries, one hamster, one freshwater fish tank, one salt water fish tank.