Head Bobbing

[Hezz]

All I do with mine is whittle the ends down enough so that they fit through the bars. This does work best with vertical bars though, but yes, you can buy the wing-nuts and washers on-line if you wanted to go that way. Remember, stainless steel is the best only metal to use around your budgie. Everything else will show rust in no time flat and need to be thrown away.

[starlingqueen]

I use cable ties around the branch and secured to the bars. Make sure they are pulled tight so the branch is firmly attached.

[karlene]

Does any one know if sekelbos is safe? It isn't on any of the safe lists that I have looked at but it seems to be what the natural wood stuff is made of here in SA.

Dichrostachys cinerea, known as sicklebush, Bell mimosa, Chinese lantern tree or Kalahari Christmas tree (South Africa), is a legume of the genus Dichrostachys in the Fabaceae family.[1]

Other common names include acacia Saint Domingue (French), el marabu (Cuba), " Mpangara" (Shona), Kalahari-Weihnachtsbaum (German of former South West Africa), kéké or mimosa clochette (Réunion)

[starlingqueen]

I have never heard of it but one of the pet shop links I posted has them ready made.

[karlene]

Yes, it seems that everything here is made from that wood.

I will go and have a look around.

[starlingqueen]

Here is a useful article.

www.mdvaden.com/bird_page.shtml

[karlene]

I read that article actually, but it doesnt mention the sekelbos. I could pull my hair out

[Hezz]

......wild tree branches (Karee, White Stinkwood, Apple and Sekelbos are safe),
This comes the link below about half way through Entertainment.

www.animal-behaviour.org.za/articles/birds/articles_parrots.html

It is aimed at parrots in general, not restricted to budgies, but I would be confident that budgies are covered as well.

[karlene]

That's fantastic, thank you! I would hate to do anything to harm Harper.

I got the bigger cage for Harper last night and will "pimp it out" over the weekend and he can move in

[starlingqueen]

Jun 8, 2016 4:58:48 GMT Hezz said:

......wild tree branches (Karee, White Stinkwood, Apple and Sekelbos are safe),
This comes the link below about half way through Entertainment.

www.animal-behaviour.org.za/articles/birds/articles_parrots.html

It is aimed at parrots in general, not restricted to budgies, but I would be confident that budgies are covered as well.

Well done Hezz. I was coming up with things that mentioned it but couldn't find anything that actually said Safe. Didn't want to say yes or no until I found the actual definitive answer.

[karlene]

You guys are really awesome, doing all this research for Harpy! xx

[starlingqueen]

Jun 8, 2016 10:04:00 GMT karlene said:

You guys are really awesome, doing all this research for Harpy! xx

It's no problem. It's all education, now we know for the future.

[milliej]

I'm confused you live in the beautiful Cape and use two duvets and a blanket? Oh hang on though winter, it's a bit like UK the opposite way round. I have friends who live in Somerset West and we used to live in Pietersburg/Polokwane many years ago, where the temperature was much different (and nice) Our little budgies are a lot tougher than we think for their size. I'm sure he'll be fine....try not to worry too much ......and he is a little beauty

[Hezz]

Thanks, SQ; and you are so right, it is all learning for the next time.

Sorry about the link, though; looks like I cut off the "h" at the front of the address; Dill! I have fixed it now.