I thought i was doing my budgie a favour when i got rid of all his plastic perches (i hate them) and put real tree branches in his cage. However, he started getting an itchy face, and when i took him to his vet for a check up, the vet told me that birds can be allergic to the sap in certain tree branches, and advised me to get the specially treated ones from the petshop. I went and bought him 3 lovely new branches straight away, and within a couple of days the itchiness stopped. The branches were quite expensuve, 28 pounds (sterling) for the three, but its well worth it not to see Teapot constantly rubbing his face in irritation. I was also advised that if i am going to use natural brances, the best ones are branches off an apple or pear tree. I thought I'd post this, because it shows how easy it is to actually be doing harm to your bird by believing you are doing the right thing.

you can use apple tree branches can't you?

that is what i use.

yes budgieteen, his vet said they are fine, and pear tree branches. just be sure they havent been sprayed with any pesticides or anything

i know it sound silly but i scrub mine down and everything with a wirebrush to get off anything like possible cat urine or something

Budgieteen that is a good idea, it's not silly at all. You just have to wash them real well and let them dry thoroughly first. There aren't any trees near my house that are what I'd consider far enough from the road so they aren't always exposed to car exhaust and stuff. Plus everyone in my neighboorhood except me sprays their lawn and trees, so I will get all my branches from the store. I'm sure all those chemicals don't stay where they're put.

*agrees with rainbow* you are right to thoroughly wash the branches first budgieteen, there could be anything on them. even if they are from a tree in your wn garden that you 'know' is safe, a sickly wild bird could have poo-ed or rested on them, theres all sorts of things that could cause problems for your pet. (i hope im not begining to sound like a 'know-all, cos im far from it, just a learner, i just like to pass on tips if theyve come from a good source)

yea i know, i have two trees in my garden

can you use branches from a cherry tree?

i let them dry for about an hour before i put them in the cage, it's just they seem to enjoy the shape of the branches and they like to rip the bark off

i dont know about the cherry tree budgieteen, sorry!

its just i have a huge one in my garden and it seems a shame to keep picking on my poor little appletree

:fear I have a couple of native branches in Jacko's cage, they are from an Australian Gum tree, does anyone in Aussie know if these are okay?

 

Jacko seems to like them.

i thought they were okay i just didnt want to reply cuz i dont live in australia and was afraid to get it wrong

yea i know, i have two trees in my garden

can you use branches from a cherry tree?

i let them dry for about an hour before i put them in the cage, it's just they seem to enjoy the shape of the branches and they like to rip the bark off

branches from cherry trees are okay,mine love them.As in all trees/wood be sure they have not been treated with anything and always far away from streets.Pour boiling water over them and wash them first though.

yea i know, i have two trees in my garden

can you use branches from a cherry tree?

i let them dry for about an hour before i put them in the cage, it's just they seem to enjoy the shape of the branches and they like to rip the bark off

branches from cherry trees are okay,mine love them.As in all trees/wood be sure they have not been treated with anything and always far away from streets.Pour boiling water over them and wash them first though.

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Hi, I'm new to this forum - I just posted earlier in response to query about sand covered perches. I use apple tree branches - I scrub them first, then bake them in the oven at a high temp. for about 10 mins. Allow them to cool (obviously (Laughing out loud)) and they're fine. My female Sunny does like to strip the bark but I think the baking process dries out the sap - I haven't noticed any problems.

I use Cherry branches I heard that all fruit tree branches are okay? Also, is it safe for the leaves to be left on some of the branches?

Here's a link that is quite handy to have, regarding safe woods etc

http://www.parrottimes.com/safewoodlist.html

I have been told to never use apple tree branches because of some toxin they have in them. So I will not use them.

Most fruit tree branches are safe as long as you know for certain that they have not been sprayed with any insecticide,

Birds also like to peck at the leaves so leave them on the branches.

Gill.

I use gumtree branches in my avary and different variations of eucalypt, my birds LOVE chewing at the leaves that are still attached!

Can I use a mandarine tree branch?