Bird safe materials for DIY

[Randomusername]

I'm making a few accessories for my new flight cage. So far I've got a couple of mulberry perches I've trimmed, sanded, scrubbed and baked in the oven. I'm planning on making a rope ladder as well with twigs, untreated hemp twine, and wooden beads to cover the hemp twine to make it safer for birdie toes. I made a really cool swing out of mulberry, wire, and wooden beads. It looks great and I think Gytha will love it but I'm concerned about the wire. I used jewelry wire, which I believe is copper. Very little of the wire is exposed. Just where it's looped around the twig, everything else is beaded. Do you think it's ok? It's in a canary cage after all. They don't eat toys like parrots.

[Sally]

I think it would be fine. As you said, canaries (finches too) don't chew on things like hookbills do.

[Randomusername]

Awesome. How about perches? How small is too small and how big is too big? I'd guess 3/8-1/2 inch in diameter is probably perfect with anything over 1 inch being too big?

[paul-inAZ]

I like my perches to be of different sizes, from what seems pretty small to oversized. My theory is that this gives their feet varying sized things to grip and is better for foot muscles. You will soon see if there is a size that they prefer or avoid. Most of the time they don't seem to care about the size.

I also prefer branches with rough bark and have never sanded or baked them. I never use smooth dowels.

[GouldieFledge]

Randomusername

I too made my own swing out of a ladder hung by hemp twine. I was a little nervous about whether it'd be safe or not, but so far, so good. I have gouldians and they love the swing and also peck at the twine. It's been in there a couple of months, everyone seems happy and healthy, so I don't see why it wouldn't be okay for a canary.

I also bought a small "jungle vine" marketed for reptiles, coiled it into a corkscrew shape, and hung that up as a perch/swing hybrid. It kinda bounces when the birds are on it, and they LOVE it. I read somewhere else on this forum about someone using the jungle vine for their finches, so not my idea. I know canaries like swings, I'm not sure if the vine is something they'd enjoy too?

I agree with Paul, the more variety in perch size, the better. Helps the foot muscles, simulates a more natural environment, and makes it less boring for the bird.