Post by barrieshutt on Oct 25, 2011 12:51:32 GMT
Number one priorty is to throw all plastic perches and sand sheets into the rubbish bin.
My favourite perch is willow and these adorn my flights 24/7, what lucky birds i have, having perches so supple, of different thicknesses, bark coming with built in pain killers, springy to their touch and they cost me nothing.
My birds go manic everytime new willow branches are added to the flights.
To grow willow from unrooted cuttings, the willow should be cut and planted after leaf fall and before leaf bud - that would usually mean during December, January and February.
My willow is found in abundance along the local riverbanks, I remove a couple of new green branches, heel them into my garden and watch them grow.
An ideal soil would be a good moist loamy one, but Willow will do well in most soil conditions.
Short unrooted cuttings should be pushed into the prepared soil to approximately half their length.
My favourite perch is willow and these adorn my flights 24/7, what lucky birds i have, having perches so supple, of different thicknesses, bark coming with built in pain killers, springy to their touch and they cost me nothing.
My birds go manic everytime new willow branches are added to the flights.
To grow willow from unrooted cuttings, the willow should be cut and planted after leaf fall and before leaf bud - that would usually mean during December, January and February.
My willow is found in abundance along the local riverbanks, I remove a couple of new green branches, heel them into my garden and watch them grow.
An ideal soil would be a good moist loamy one, but Willow will do well in most soil conditions.
Short unrooted cuttings should be pushed into the prepared soil to approximately half their length.
In landscapes, remember that Weeping Willow grows quickly and has invasive roots. Consider having a root barrier installed to prevent future water or septic line damage.
Or follow my example and grow your willow cuttings in a large pot
Healthy feet depend on the choice of perches we offer our birds,,we need to get this right.
With the odd exception all birds need the choice of several different types of perches, diameter and texture are important.
A budgie should be able to grasp a perch with the claws going three quarters of the way around, thinner swaying perches will offer excercise and play but are not suitable for general perching.
Budgerigars are great chewers of soft wood and bark especially the hens in breeding condition and this is because the wood fibres are rich in celluluose.
Willow would always be my first choice of perches the branches will be stripped and chewed and the Salicylic acid in the branches is the main ingredient of Aspirin - so it has medicinal properties.
Safe natural wood branches for birds include the following:
Apple - Arbutus - Ash - Aspen - Beech - Birch - Cottonwood - Crabapple - Dogwood - Elm - Fir - Hawthorn -
Larch - Magnolia - Manzanita - Mulberry - Pear - Pine - Poplar - Sequoia (redwood) - Willow.
DO NOT use apricot, cherry, peach, prune, plum or nectarine. These trees all belong to the Prunus species. They contain cyanogenic glycosides which release cyanide if ingested.
Do not assume the leaves are safe and as a precaution i would suggest they are removed.
Eucalyptus branches are nontoxic and are safe to use as natural wood perches.
Although FRESH eucalyptus leaves have been given to birds without causing illness, ingestion of a large amount of the leaves can cause vomiting, diarrhea, crop impaction and muscle weakness in avians.
Avoid giving DRY eucalyptus leaves or using dry eucalyptus leaves for nesting material. These may be contaminated with Aspergillus spores.
A wild bird might also need to hang upside or climb vertically to reach a piece of fruit, seed or other food item. This variation tests a birds balance and athleticism. We should try to create similar opportunities for our captive bred birds.
Offer your birds a variety of perches include natural,rope,softwood and hardwood, do vary the diameters which will help keep the birds feet healthy.
Breeding birds also use their perches during copulation, making your perch choices even more important. Without a secure perch, a female might not be able to steady herself during the act. At least several of the perches you give your pairs should be soft enough for your birds to destroy. You need to be prepared to replace perches during breeding season.
With the odd exception all birds need the choice of several different types of perches, diameter and texture are important.
A budgie should be able to grasp a perch with the claws going three quarters of the way around, thinner swaying perches will offer excercise and play but are not suitable for general perching.
Budgerigars are great chewers of soft wood and bark especially the hens in breeding condition and this is because the wood fibres are rich in celluluose.
Willow would always be my first choice of perches the branches will be stripped and chewed and the Salicylic acid in the branches is the main ingredient of Aspirin - so it has medicinal properties.
Safe natural wood branches for birds include the following:
Apple - Arbutus - Ash - Aspen - Beech - Birch - Cottonwood - Crabapple - Dogwood - Elm - Fir - Hawthorn -
Larch - Magnolia - Manzanita - Mulberry - Pear - Pine - Poplar - Sequoia (redwood) - Willow.
DO NOT use apricot, cherry, peach, prune, plum or nectarine. These trees all belong to the Prunus species. They contain cyanogenic glycosides which release cyanide if ingested.
Do not assume the leaves are safe and as a precaution i would suggest they are removed.
Eucalyptus branches are nontoxic and are safe to use as natural wood perches.
Although FRESH eucalyptus leaves have been given to birds without causing illness, ingestion of a large amount of the leaves can cause vomiting, diarrhea, crop impaction and muscle weakness in avians.
Avoid giving DRY eucalyptus leaves or using dry eucalyptus leaves for nesting material. These may be contaminated with Aspergillus spores.
A wild bird might also need to hang upside or climb vertically to reach a piece of fruit, seed or other food item. This variation tests a birds balance and athleticism. We should try to create similar opportunities for our captive bred birds.
Offer your birds a variety of perches include natural,rope,softwood and hardwood, do vary the diameters which will help keep the birds feet healthy.
Breeding birds also use their perches during copulation, making your perch choices even more important. Without a secure perch, a female might not be able to steady herself during the act. At least several of the perches you give your pairs should be soft enough for your birds to destroy. You need to be prepared to replace perches during breeding season.
Before using willow I remove all leaves and buds, I then using a green scouring pad wasH them with a solution of vanodine V18 , once dry they are sprayed with F10SC avian disinfectant and then placed inside the flights.
©2006 barrieshuttbudgerigars S3872.