Here is the skinny on handmade perches (and you can do the same for pine cones). Special preparation is very important! Things Youll Need: * Loppers or pruning shears * Non-toxic tree * Sandpaper * Chlorine bleach * Mop bucket * Disposable gloves * Oven * Drill with 3/16-inch diameter bit * 1/4-inch by 3-inch hanger bolts * 1/4-inch standard hex nuts * 7/16-inch wrench * 1/4-inch by 1 1/2-inch fender washers * 1/4-inch wing nuts DIRECTIONS: Prepare the Branches 1. Step 1 Make sure that the tree you are cutting branches from is non-toxic. Most bird care books and several websites have lists of safe types of wood. You should also avoid using wood from trees that have been sprayed with pesticides. 2. Step 2 Use the loppers to cut appropriate-sized branches from the tree. Try to get branches that are a little longer than you need, since you will probably need to trim them before you install the mounting hardware. 3. Step 3 Using your birds cage as a guide, determine how long you want the perch to be. Trim the branch to the correct size using the loppers. 4. Step 4 Cut the large end of the branch as flat as possible. If your loppers are dull or the branch is quite large, you may need to flatten the cut surface using sandpaper. 5. Step 5 While wearing gloves, mix a solution of bleach and water in the mop bucket. Use 1/2 cup bleach to each gallon of water. Submerge the branches in this mixture and allow them soak for ten minutes, to kill most pathogens. 6. Step 6 Remove the branches from the bleach solution and allow to air dry, preferably in the sun. 7. Step 7 Bake the branches at 250 degrees F, directly on the oven rack, for 30 minutes. This will kill insect larvae and help prevent mold. Install the Mounting Hardware 8. Step 1 Using a 3/16-inch diameter bit, drill about one inch into the cut surface on the larger end of the perch. 9. Step 2 Thread two nuts onto the machine threaded end of the hanger bolt. Using the wrench, tighten the nuts against each other. 10. Step 3 Insert the screw-threaded end of the hanger nut into the wood, and using the wrench, tighten it until the screw threads are completely within the wood. The two nuts on the machine-threaded end of the hanger bolt serve as a temporary head for the bolt. The entire machine-threaded portion of the hanger bolt should protrude from the branch. 11. Step 4 Using the wrench, loosen and remove the two nuts from the hanger bolt. You should now have a branch with a machine-threaded bolt extending approximately 1 1/2 inches from the larger, cut end. Mount the Perch to the Cage 12. Step 1 Place one fender washer on the bolt, and put the branch inside your birds cage. The cut end of the branch and the washer should be flush against the inside of the cage, and the bolt should extend out of the cage. 13. Step 2 Place another washer onto the bolt, from the outside of the cage. The cage bars should now be between the two washers. 14. Step 3 Put a wing nut onto the bolt and tighten against the outer washer to mount the perch to the cage. Tips/Warnings: *Scraps of branches can be cut into lengths of about two inches and used as foot toys. *Forked branches mounted in this manner can serve as both a perch and a climbing toy. *Never use fallen branches. They are much more likely to be contaminated with harmful bacteria and insects. *Avoid using zinc plated mounting hardware, as this can cause health problems if ingested by birds. *Do not cut branches directly above you, as they may fall onto you, causing injury. *Chlorine bleach can cause burns. Flush with water and call a Poison Control Center if it comes into contact with skin or eyes. *Always use caution and wear eye protection when working with power tools. Source: ehow/how_4466127_make-na ... rches.html Safe and Harmful Wood for Birds: Bird; Birds: Safe, Toxic Trees, Woods. Safe Tree Wood. Parrots. Parrot cages.
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 23:09:28 +0000
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