FINCHforum

I would really like to use some outdoor branches for perches, but I have some questions about how to choose and prepare them.
Does the type of tree matter really? We had some strong winds recently that brought down a bunch of stuff. I want to grab a couple of these but don't have any way to ID the species of tree....
What is the best way to get them ready to go into the cages? I know some people use a bleach/water solution (what dilution, how long, etc?), but I don't really have a good sunny spot to dry them in (I live on the 3rd floor with no porch etc), so would it work to just let them dry completely inside (for a week maybe?). Is there something else that would work?
Anything else I should know?

You could always cook them in the oven. When I do this I turn the oven on at 300/f and cook for about 30min.

Just a caution, if winds brought them down they may not be the best branches to use. Usually only bug damaged and rotten branches are weak enough to break off, even in high winds. You might be better off cutting a couple from a tree of your choice.

I agree with Debbie, we always use fresh cut branches, nothing that fell off the tree and/or has been lying on the ground for some time. It's the dead wood where you have the most insects and bacteria etc.

I never prepare the branches in any special way, I just strip them of leaves and then put them in the aviary. But I give them a good looking over and make sure there's no aphids or dead twigs or holes where something could hide, and that the bark is smooth and healthy looking.

If you have fruit trees, I believe they are ideal and the safest. But my husband just gets some branches from the local woods. We don't use any evergreens though, just dedious trees. I think needles and sap can be harmful, although when I had a canary as a kid I always used to put Austrian pine branches in his cage and he loved it and wasn't harmed by it at all.

I also do not do anything to prepare branches. I just cut nice ones off the trees, give them a good looking over for bug etc... I do not even strip the leaves. The birds LOVE the leaves! I also have used evergreen branches and my birds love those too. They also last longer.....

dfcauley wrote:I also do not do anything to prepare branches. I just cut nice ones off the trees, give them a good looking over for bug etc... I do not even strip the leaves. The birds LOVE the leaves! I also have used evergreen branches and my birds love those too. They also last longer.....

I'm glad I'm not the only one...

What type of evergreens do you use, Donna? I'm always afraid that the sap isn't good for them...

Here in NorCalifornia, I used to go out collecting manzanita branches for my aquariums. I would break off dry/dying branches that I found attractive. That, or I found them on the floor. You are not allowed (if not your own private property) to be cutting/grabbing live branches. Luckily, Manzanita is abundant here and I went home with a car full of branches!

Dead wood can be used without fear. But to be cautious, I would recommend preparing it first. You can do it in various ways.

- Soaking it in water for a week. This allows you to kill any fungi, bacteria, insects that MAY pose a threat to our birds. If your branches begin to grow a white mold/fungus, do not be alarmed as this is an aquatic type that will die once you let it dry. So dunking into the water kills "land" types and then the drying process kills anything "aquatic". Works well!

- Baking/boiling kills anything and everything.

- A quick rinse with a hose, scrub off whatever loose bark and let it air dry for a 3-7 days works too. This method, of course, is less rigorous than the other two. But it is mainly used for branches that look like it's in pretty good shape. Meaning no fungus growth on it or an obvious sign of insects living in there. I probably wouldn't take a piece of wood that had a colony of insects in there to begin with anyway. It's rude to nature and harmful to the environment.


As for types of branches, I believe most, if not all, are generally safe to use. But you'll want to look for sturdy branches that our finches can really take hold on. Sap is mostly to deter invertebrates, I don't think it affects birds... though I am not 100% sure on that.

dfcauley wrote:I also do not do anything to prepare branches. I just cut nice ones off the trees, give them a good looking over for bug etc... I do not even strip the leaves. The birds LOVE the leaves! I also have used evergreen branches and my birds love those too. They also last longer.....

I have always stripped the leaves off--what a waste of my time and energy! From now on, they will get the leaves, too.

I always use natural branches...usually sycamore or ash...never had any problems...just a quick wash down and in they go.

Ursula wrote:

dfcauley wrote: What type of evergreens do you use, Donna? I'm always afraid that the sap isn't good for them...

Gosh.... I am terrible with tree names... I will try to find out what they are called, but we have them in our yard as a privacy area barrier. They are super tall. I don't use them alot, but put them around the nesting area for privacy. Never had a problem withthem before.

Sally.... the leaves make a mess on the floor when the birds start picking at them, but my birds always have a great time when I bring in fresh branches with leaves. They are busy, busy, busy....

No problem... Thanks, Donna!

Ursula wrote:No problem... Thanks, Donna!

They are Leyland Cypress trees.

Thanks so much everyone!

dfcauley wrote:

Ursula wrote:No problem... Thanks, Donna!

They are Leyland Cypress trees.

Thanks for researching this!