How to ready a branch for cage

[Ginene]

I read on a recent post that a branch from a pear tree is safe for a finch cage. I was wondering if I have to do anything to the branch (wash, bake, ???) before putting it inside my indoor flight cage? Thanks, Ginene

[managermania]

I usually wash it with a light bleach/water mix, rinse well and then bake in the oven or dry in the sun. Better safe than sorry I guess.

[Ginene]

Sounds like a good idea to me. I tried to put mine in the oven for a quick bake @ 200 degrees, but its too big...lol! I was hoping to keep it as a tall branch with little branches coming off of it. Thought it would be more fun that way. I want to strap a millet sprig to it in the middle of the cage, to keep more of the mess inside rather than all over my floor Just have to figure out how to rig it.

[Tammy]

great idea, can you use any type of tree branch???

[managermania]

The bleach water should kill about everything so no worries. I've had some that did not fit in the oven. Once I even used a hair dryer on the hot setting. Not sure if it did anything but I felt better. The birds were fine with it.


Try this link for safe and harmful wood. I am not sure I agree with all of them but it seems like a good list.

http://www.mdvaden.com/bird_page.shtml

[Ginene]

Thanks for the tips guys. Ill use the bleach/water rinse and the hair dryer. Hopefully I can rig it up safe and secure. Ginene

[Lisa]

I use the same method as Chase, baking mine at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes, but in the end, these branches always seem to turn out problematic as I can never anchor them well enough or they are too large/too small for the setting I'm trying to use them in.

I prefer to just purchase manzanita branches - they seem to work out perfectly every time.

[30 Seconds to Bob]

I just cut the branches and let them dry outside on a table in the summer sun for about a week, turning them occasionally. Summer sun is very intense where I live and I haven't had any problems. Just use healthy wood to begin with. Bob

[Zebrafincher]

I use tree branches from local parks, people's properties etc. I will leave them in the sun for a few days if they are still a bit green. I also leave them in soaking solution of mild disinfectant or washing up liquid. I them thoroughly clean them down, and spray them with bird or mite spray, then let them dry again. It works pretty well

[Ursula]

I couldn't fit my branches in the oven, they are about 6 feet tall. I put them in as "trees" in the walk-in aviary.

However, I use only fresh branches off trees, no dead wood, and see if the bark looks clean and smooth and doesn't have nooks and crannies where stuff can hide. Never had a problem in 6 years doing that.

(I said "I" but it's actually by husband who's getting them from the woods... )

[paul-inAZ]

I just cut branches about the thickness of my little finger and put 'em straight in with no other treatment. Typically willow acacia but orange or grapefruit branches also work for me.