|
Rust
Oct 15, 2013 0:34:37 GMT
via mobile
Post by nettles on Oct 15, 2013 0:34:37 GMT
I've just noticed, the stainless steel skewer that I've been hanging the buds veg on has quite a bit of rust on it! I don't know how long it's been there as I have forgotten to check it for a while. I just wash it every morning and hang fresh veg on it and have stupidly forgotten to inspect it for weeks. They can't actually get at the metal as the veg hangs the entire way down it but surely it has been leaching into their food? I'm really panicking now as the info I've read about rust is pretty nasty I've binned the stupid thing but is there anything I can do? Should I watch out for anything in particular? They both seem healthy and happy and I've just done a poop check and all seems normal.
|
|
|
Rust
Oct 15, 2013 0:52:26 GMT
Post by Hezz on Oct 15, 2013 0:52:26 GMT
Heavy metal poisoning acts pretty quickly on these little fellas - generally unwell, vomiting, seizures are the main ones, watery droppings, possibly red stained. I doubt you have anything to worry about, but my best tip is to get a packet of 100 bamboo skewers from your supermarket and use and dispose of them at your leisure. I can buy a pack here for less than $2. Quite often the skewer gets a chewing as well, and no harm done. But to be on the safe side, I snip off the very (sharp) tip with a pair of scissors. It is still sharp enough to thread your veggies on, just less likely to do damage to an inattentive budgie.
|
|
|
Rust
Oct 15, 2013 7:23:19 GMT
via mobile
Hezz likes this
Post by nettles on Oct 15, 2013 7:23:19 GMT
Thanks Hezz. That's eased my mind slightly. There's no signs of illness at all, so fingers crossed there's no harm done. I'll get wooden skewers today.
|
|
|
Rust
Oct 15, 2013 8:00:09 GMT
Post by stace on Oct 15, 2013 8:00:09 GMT
If they've rusted, the metal skewers you have are probably not stainless steel. It's likely they are nickel plated. Nickel plated is okay until water gets under the plating.
|
|
|
Rust
Oct 15, 2013 10:07:36 GMT
Post by sweetpea on Oct 15, 2013 10:07:36 GMT
Yes, I agree with stace - it probably was not stainless steel. Or perhaps the skewer itself was but not the fitting? I had a similar thing happen last week - I noticed the hooks on one of their swings had some rust so I whipped it out. Fortunately it's been on their playgym & they haven't been on it lately. I will have to source some stainless steel hook things.
|
|
|
Rust
Oct 15, 2013 10:10:34 GMT
Post by ffiscool on Oct 15, 2013 10:10:34 GMT
it's a worry, isnt it... i keep looking.. i wonder, is there a way it can be sanded off and then whatever is used say on cages, painted on? must be something we could buy thats sold in craft shops or something
I had a swing made by the natural bird company, not expensive for what it is, it is on leather sides with the stainless steel fittings at the top.. they also sell stainless steel fittings for things
|
|
|
Rust
Oct 15, 2013 17:34:39 GMT
via mobile
Post by nettles on Oct 15, 2013 17:34:39 GMT
The reason I bought it was because it said it was stainless steel and it was for hanging veg in pet cages! The amount of rust that had appeared since I last checked it (no more than 2 weeks ago!) is shocking, there's no way it could be stainless steel like the packaging said
|
|
|
Rust
Oct 15, 2013 17:42:25 GMT
via mobile
Post by nettles on Oct 15, 2013 17:42:25 GMT
I'm never out of the craft shop ffiscool so I'll have a look. It annoys me that things designed for pets can be so dangerous. The natural pet co is great. Also, chinchillas2shop is brill for safe toys.
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Oct 16, 2013 0:30:56 GMT
It is very annoying to say the least, a waste of money at best, but the saviour is you noticed it! Good upon you for being vigilant.
|
|
|
Rust
Oct 16, 2013 0:57:26 GMT
via mobile
Hezz likes this
Post by nettles on Oct 16, 2013 0:57:26 GMT
I suppose its easy for me to blame the company that makes them but at the end of the day, I should have known better. I still feel very irresponsible as I should have checked it daily.. At least the offending item has now been removed and the birdies seem fine. I'm counting my blessings and have put it down as a lesson learned.
|
|