Making perches - bamboo?

steph · Post by **steph** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 3:11 pm

Hello again everyone!

Still working on my aviary. Its coming along. My husband and I finished framing up and adding cross-beam supports to the main flight and the safety porch. All that's left to build is a second door to go from outside to the safety porch. The door from the safety porch to the flight is done. I will post pics soon - I promise!

Anyway, I'm thinking about what to put inside the aviary when its done, and I thought I could use a big bamboo garden stake as a perch going from one end of the aviary to the other kind of toward the top of the flight. Some of the plants would probably touch and partially obscure part of the perch. Anyway, I also found these ladder-shaped bamboo stakes for staking orchids and I thought I could make a swing out of it. I'm just not sure if bamboo will be "rough" enough for the finches to grip onto it. Should I do something to it to make it rougher? I made sure and got a handful of stakes with different diameters.

What are your thoughts?

Rayray · Post by **Rayray** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 4:04 pm

maybe a little hint and its for free .... try a few little dead trees or bushes , the branches having a different diameter and this is good for the nails and muscles , and even the birds love it , they will play and climb the whole day .

I always used and use it , although i buy sometimes round sticks , this because its easier to clean !

ray

franny · Post by **franny** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 4:37 pm

Some others use bamboo - but I think you might want to scuff it with sandpaper if it's very smooth.

Here's the other thread:

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=4330&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:17 pm

Steph,

I have Bamboo growing in my back yard and that's where I have 'culled' it for my perches. I would suggest finding out if any you purchase have any chemicals or waxes applied. I wouldn't think they would, but you never know.

My finches don't have a problem holding on to the Bamboo I have. Have several different diameters. I didn't think about 'scuffing' the surface of them.

Rayray has a good suggestion too. Just make sure they aren't toxic to your finches.

Look forward to the pics of your Aviary.. I'll be posting mine when I start construction.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:11 am

personally I wouldn't have the perch going from one end to the other. a short perch from front to back of cage at each end would make the birds exercise more

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:28 am

mickp wrote:personally I wouldn't have the perch going from one end to the other. a short perch from front to back of cage at each end would make the birds exercise more

Would agree with Mick.. I have my perches on the sides (front to back), on each side and not running the length of the cage. Gives them more room to fly.

steph · Post by **steph** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 3:34 am

mickp wrote:personally I wouldn't have the perch going from one end to the other. a short perch from front to back of cage at each end would make the birds exercise more

That's something I hadn't considered. I think you have a good point, and I will reconsider my layout...pics coming soon! I just stopped painting at midnight. Its nearly done, but I can't get pictures 'til the sun comes up

gomer · Post by **gomer** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 5:44 am

with the thread and what the others said.i to would agree.

steph · Post by **steph** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:36 pm

Thanks, all!