Perch problem

[birdboy6]

Hi,

I went out to buy some perches today and found fir branches. I bought some because they looked great to chew on and my bird would love to strip off the bark. Anyways, when I was cleaning them I found that they have little pimples on them. I popped one and sap came out. I think sap is poisonous to birds. will the be a problem?

[Parrotline]

A lot depends whether it is sap or puss from a disease, best to be safe than sorry and not use them.
www.parrotline.org (http://www.parrotline.org)

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A good parrot keeper is someone who still loves it when the novelty has worn off!

[birdboy6]

Thanks, I returned them and got a manzanita perch. http://petshub.com/ubb/smile.gif

[rbird]

hi again BB6,
just read your ealier mail,
we have cut small branches of different thickness from eucalypt trees in our area and our bird seems to enjoy running over the various lumps on them - they are naturally destructive animals and I have read that they actually get important nutritional vitamins from under the bark , they apparently enjoy coating themselves in the leaves of these trees when they are wet - ours just has a nibble and moves on to more tested treats. I am not familiar with the various types of flora in your area and would suggest you request information regarding possible toxins.
Ross and Dorothy
Melbourne,Aust.

[tappajabba]

hi,
i use cuttings from some fruit trees grown by my neighbours.these are perfect in everyway for your birds as they come in various shapes and sizes to help exercise your birds feet and they offer great time while chewing and stripping the branches of their bark.
another good branch to use is from the willow tree as this contains a natural paracetemol and can add condition to your birds.


... best of luck...

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Tappajabba....
helping to promote healthy pet keeping worldwide...

[Remy]

Do not use Fir, Pine, or Spruce limbs for your birds...most are not toxic to the birds, but if you don't know which you have exactly, you can't be sure if you will poison your birds or not. Yew, which looks similar and is an evergreen as well, is poisonous.

Further, they all have VERY sticky sap, that will get onto your bird's feet and feathers, and you will have a mess beyond your nightmares, and one that will NOT be removeable, sticking feathers together, not allowing the bird to preen (or if it tries to, ingesting it and getting stuck up worse), sticking things to the bird -- no no no. Do not use them.

Prunings off of unsprayed (no pesticides) apple and pear trees,, willow, manzanita, & soft (not red, there is some concern that it may be toxic) maple are all acceptable.