Xmas wish list

[moonkira *Julie *]

What would you like for Xmas ? My son and daughter in law didnt know what to get me so I said I would really like an apple tree ;D which brought a look of amusement so I am hoping I will have a nice apple tree for my flight lol Don't know how they will wrap it though ;D

[Deleted]

Dec 8, 2012 23:36:17 GMT moonkira *Julie * said:

What would you like for Xmas ? My son and daughter in law didnt know what to get me so I said I would really like an apple tree ;D which brought a look of amusement so I am hoping I will have a nice apple tree for my flight lol Don't know how they will wrap it though ;D

nice thought julie... .
but the budgies will destroy it in 1 day flat .. .

[Hezz]

Instead plant it in your garden and then they will be able to have branches all year round (a little later). I have heard of weirder - my mum's neighbour said for last year that she wanted a new set of cattle yards .......... she got them! I want some garden beds - the blocks to make them and then the soil to fill. Everything needs a good tidy-up.

[marleen4]

Ask for a hydrangea instead! This shrub lives in my aviary and appears to survive the onslaught of my little darlings. It has nice large flowers that they amuse themselves with. Make sure though it's big and healthy when planting so it will survive the first year, after that it will be alright with a bit of modest pruning each year.

[samwiseg]

Dec 9, 2012 6:35:50 GMT marleen4 said:

Ask for a hydrangea instead! This shrub lives in my aviary and appears to survive the onslaught of my little darlings. It has nice large flowers that they amuse themselves with. Make sure though it's big and healthy when planting so it will survive the first year, after that it will be alright with a bit of modest pruning each year.

WOW Really Marleen4?! I can just imagine them on one of those, I didn't realise they were ok for budgies. How delightful!

[marleen4]

I discovered this by accident by building an aviary over a large hydrangea some years ago. I have since planted another one and it appear to do okay with some TLC. The flowers are not very colourful and I am a bit frightened to add lime as I don't want to harm the birds. Too chicken to try!

I also have a lot of grass in the aviary which creates a lot of fun and entertainment. The birds hang in different positions trying to get to the delicious seeds!

The hydrangea is to the front-right of the cartwheel in this picture.

[marleen4]

This picture shows the second aviary with a smaller hydrangea behind the grass.

[Shirls]

Dec 9, 2012 1:38:45 GMT Hezz said:

Instead plant it in your garden and then they will be able to have branches all year round (a little later). I have heard of weirder - my mum's neighbour said for last year that she wanted a new set of cattle yards .......... she got them! I want some garden beds - the blocks to make them and then the soil to fill. Everything needs a good tidy-up.

Sorry Hezz, am a little ignorant, or perhaps a lot what are 'cattle yards'?
;D

[moonkira *Julie *]

It says on here that Hydrangea are toxic .
www.parrot-and-conure-world.com/non-toxic-for-birds.html

I am not bothered about the birds stripping the apple tree I just want it for the branches to make it look a bit more natural in there, Hopefully hubby will dig me up a small silver birch he found while out walking the dogs ;D

[marleen4]

Not sure how they came to this conclusion - my birds look healthy and live to a ripe old age. But then, if the internet says so....

Do you know the person who put this list together? Are they well regarded?

[moonkira *Julie *]

There are a few different sites saying it Marleen , just google it and it comes up with a few , are you in uk ? As they maybe a different type in another country. Just saw your in New Zealand so they maybe different

[marleen4]

It feels a bit disturbing to leave the plants in the aviaries now.... I know the wood is not used to sit on, but still, the plants will have to come out.

I may stick to grass now, or perhaps an apple tree??? ;D ;D ;D

[ruby 5]

What about a forsythia tree? We have one in the garden and I use a branch for a perch. The wood isn't smooth so it's a different texture for their feet. It's very hardy and grows really quickly, we need to prune ours back hard each spring. I know the wood is ok and have checked about the flowers and leaves but can't find too much info on it, maybe someone else has one?

[ruby 5]

P.S. Julie, if you plant an apple tree and are lucky enough to get apples on, what about the seeds as they contain cyanide so wouldn't you have to take them off

[BudgiesBuddy]

I like your aviaries Marleen