Bamboo perches

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 12:44 am

I have a green variagated clumping bamboo in my back yard that is growing quite tall (30 feet).. I need to cut many of the shoots when I replace a fence and I'm going to put the cut ones in my garage to dry out. Not sure if they will dry quickly..

If anyone is interested in having some bamboo for perches.. I will be at the Bird Mart in Ft Worth Texas next year (not a vendor).. free to anyone that asks for them.. I would have to cut them down to transport. so let me know what size you would like..

Post by **Sally** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:49 pm

Hi, Bill - how thick would these perches be? I see where others are using bamboo for perches, so I'd be interested in trying some out. I'll be at the Mart as a vendor, so I'll get in touch with you before then. Thanks.

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 7:03 pm

I haven't looked at the base of the bamboo to see how thick they are, but I imagine they are at least 1 inch at the base and grow to about a quarter inch at the top. I hope to get out there this weekend to see how big a job it's going to be.

They are about 30 feet tall so I'm sure I could cut down to a diameter you would like within those specs. I can fit about 8 feet long in my car.

I'll let you know more about the diameter once I know.

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 12:07 am

I looked at the bamboo last weekend.. The base is about 1 and a quarter inch thick and narrows to about 1/8th of an inch at the top. They are about 30 feet long so they are quite uniform in circumference along their length.

I'm looking for a pic. They have green stripes along the yellow bamboo color. Wish I could remember the name of it..

I will be pruning about 40 or 50 of the stalks along the fence and placing them in my garage to dry.

I'll post a pic of the stalks when I find it..

gomer · Post by **gomer** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 1:15 am

Alphonse carn ? Bill keep the thick ends to use in the garden as stakes.As they will be to thick for finches at there thickest point.

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:12 pm

Thanks gomer..

Alphonse carn? don't understand..

What is the optimum diameter for finch perches? Guess I need to do some research on that.. Would appreciate any suggestions..

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 10:40 pm

well.. I pruned more than 50 stalks today.. Probably should cut more..

This is a pic of what the stalks look like. Not sure it is the same, but it looks close to the colors I have..

I have some great ideas to put those in my aviary when I finally get it built.. I'll work on getting some real pics for yall to view..

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 11:29 pm

That should work good and I like the color to, birds will look good on that

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 1:06 am

Thanks B Camp..

I'll see if I can get some pics tomorrow.. My leg really hurts tonight. Know I had to do that though..

I'm wondering if I should prune the small shoots from the main branches.. I'm thinking that I shouldn't if I want to use them in an aviary..

Guess I need to post some pics for yall to understand..

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 1:31 am

Sally wrote:Hi, Bill - how thick would these perches be? I see where others are using bamboo for perches, so I'd be interested in trying some out. I'll be at the Mart as a vendor, so I'll get in touch with you before then. Thanks.

Well.. I'm going to try and get some pics for ya. I cut down about 50 stalks today. Most have small shoots from the main stalks.. I think they would be good for my aviary.. but I am a novice.

Guess you need to see them to understand.

gomer · Post by **gomer** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 4:02 am

BuilD wrote:Thanks B Camp..

I'll see if I can get some pics tomorrow.. My leg really hurts tonight. Know I had to do that though..

I'm wondering if I should prune the small shoots from the main branches.. I'm thinking that I shouldn't if I want to use them in an aviary..

Guess I need to post some pics for you to understand..

I cut the shoots of mine,I think they could get leg rings stuck in the dry shoots,also in a aviary the net could get hooked on the shoots when trying to catch them also in flight they could get impaled.I use a small hacksaw to cut them.

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 10:16 am

Glad you pointed that out gomer. I would have left them on I plan on getting some from around here

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:23 am

gomer wrote:
BuilD wrote:Thanks B Camp..

I'll see if I can get some pics tomorrow.. My leg really hurts tonight. Know I had to do that though..

I'm wondering if I should prune the small shoots from the main branches.. I'm thinking that I shouldn't if I want to use them in an aviary..

Guess I need to post some pics for you to understand..
I cut the shoots of mine,I think they could get leg rings stuck in the dry shoots,also in a aviary the net could get hooked on the shoots when trying to catch them also in flight they could get impaled.I use a small hacksaw to cut them.

Very good point with the leg ring entaglement. Thanks.. I didn't think of that.. Sorry for my ignorance.. .. I have pruned some bamboo, and it is drying out.

what is the correct diameter for finch perches? I have several 1/4 inch bamboo shoots that I'm going to introduce to my cage..
I don't have my aviary built yet..

franny · Post by **franny** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:45 am

BillD wrote:I have pruned some bamboo, and it is drying out.

what is the correct diameter for finch perches? I have several 1/4 inch bamboo shoots that I'm going to introduce to my cage..
I don't have my aviary built yet..

Bill,

I found some information that might help:

http://www.finchaviary.com/Accessories/Perches.htm

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 1:51 am

Thanks Franny..

I do feel, however, that the benefits of these different types of perches outweigh the disadvantages, since there are also numerous perches available of greater thickness. The optimum perch diameter range for finches, in my opinion, is between 1/4" and 5/8".

I have several (at least 30) bamboo cuttings that meet that diameter with a good length (8 feet at least) that meet that criteria.. I will prune the small growth/shafts that others have said could be a problem with leg rings..

Thanks Gomer.. I will cut those small shoots off and introduce them to my cage..

I cut the shoots of mine,I think they could get leg rings stuck in the dry shoots,also in a aviary the net could get hooked on the shoots when trying to catch them also in flight they could get impaled.I use a small hacksaw to cut them.

I have a great source of perches now. Still working on my Aviary..

Sally: tell me if you want some when I meet you at the Bird Mart..

Thanks Franny and Gomer for that information.. I'm learning..

I will be using the larger bamboo for staking my tomatoes this spring..