Natural Perches?

[vhplac]

We have a rat cage! It used to house 2 rather big rats, but both died of old age. 
I was thinking about converting it into a new home for our 4 lovely birds.
I do have some perches (wooden dowels, natural branches, a sanded short one) They are all store bought! 
We live in Massachusetts. Trees are all around us and plenty different kinds as well. 
My plan is to cut some nice branches of an old apple tree, peel them, soak them in a bleach water solution and then bake/dry in my oven. 
I heard that Apple Leafs and bark are no good for our birds. Would a peeled branch be ok???
What kind of tree branches would be save for the babies?

[birdguhl]

Hi and welcome to the forum! We would love to hear more about your birds and see some pictures too.

Here is a link to a website with information about good and bad wood for budgies: www.mdvaden.com/bird_page.shtml

OOps - just seen you're not new to the forum - but I don't think I've said hello yet, so I'll leave that!

[vhplac]

Thanks a bunch! The link helps a lot!!!
I think I will go ahead with branches from our apple tree in the back yard. It is away from traffic (less than 10 cars a day) and more important, we know for sure that there have never been pesticides used on or around it