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Wood toys/perches in cage...safe? #1015521
10/10/10 11:57 AM
10/10/10 11:57 AM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 22,749
80 acres of paradise in KS
Dancing Offline OP
Glideritis Anonymous
Dancing  Offline OP
Glideritis Anonymous

Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 22,749
80 acres of paradise in KS
We often post not to use pine or cedar shavings in the drop trays of cages because when urinated on, (or getting wet) it can release fumes that are very hard on small animal's respritory systems. We also post about using wood to make cages and the need for the wood to be properly sealed. This is so urine can't soak into the wood creating a place for bacteria to grow (potential illness source as well as stink source).

But I see all the time people posting that wood perches and wood "bird" toys wouldn't be safe. This just isn't true.

The wood used to make perches are kiln dried leaving no or very little sap in the wood (which would then give off the fumes if wet). Same with the wood bird toys.

Birds also have very delicate respritory systems. So if a wood toy is safe for birds, it "should" be safe for gliders as well.

Unsealed wood DOES allow urine to soak in and can become a health hazzard as well as a stink factory if not cleaned frequently and properly.

I just don't see these items as dangerous to gliders.

Other's thoughts??????


620-704-9109
Judge not until you have walked in their shoes and lived their lives. What you see online is only part of the story.

I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to miss the dance


The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.
Re: Wood toys/perches in cage...safe? [Re: Dancing] #1016019
10/11/10 02:12 PM
10/11/10 02:12 PM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,742
in my happy place
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sugarlope Offline
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sugarlope  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,742
in my happy place
I agree, I have used wood bird toys and branches in my cages as long as I have had gliders. They don't last as long as the plastic toys (because eventually they don't clean up very well) but my kids actually like the wood toys better, for the most part.


~Gretchen

If we never loved, then maybe we would never feel pain. Love anyway. It's worth it.
Re: Wood toys/perches in cage...safe? [Re: Dancing] #1016036
10/11/10 02:33 PM
10/11/10 02:33 PM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4,182
Maine
IslandGliders Offline
Glider Addict
IslandGliders  Offline
Glider Addict

Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4,182
Maine
I'm new to gliders, but I've used wooden perches and chinchilla "leap n' ledges" for my rats for years, and never had a problem. Rats' respiratory systems are very sensitive, too.

To clean wooden toys, I soak them in a bucket of hot water with white vinegar (like 1 part vinegar to five parts water) for about 20 minutes, then let them air dry until they are totally dry. Works really great!

Re: Wood toys/perches in cage...safe? [Re: Dancing] #1016044
10/11/10 02:41 PM
10/11/10 02:41 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,092
Mishicot, WI, USA
I
Incerta Offline
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Incerta  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,092
Mishicot, WI, USA
That's what I've always thought! Someone even told me once that I should take all the pine furniture out of my bedroom because it could kill my pets. Obviously, I didn't and it hasn't. Pretty sure the only way it could harm them is if it falls on them, which will never (knock on wood, heh) happen.

As long as the wood toys and things get cleaned off when they're gross, I don't see how they could be harmful...


~Jess Hart

(630) 338-9190
Re: Wood toys/perches in cage...safe? [Re: Dancing] #1028228
11/10/10 04:42 AM
11/10/10 04:42 AM

A
Aidolove
Unregistered
Aidolove
Unregistered
A



I think wood is good for their nails, it would feel comfortable for them I would think. Having something to dig into with out that... awful feeling (can't describe it)

Re: Wood toys/perches in cage...safe? [Re: Dancing] #1029574
11/12/10 04:09 PM
11/12/10 04:09 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,661
conway south carolina/ us
heidi Offline
Glider Slave
heidi  Offline
Glider Slave

Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,661
conway south carolina/ us
I had a weeping willow tree in the yard (fell with wind storm) I cut a few branches off & stuck them in water they are rooted now!!! I also cut a few branches off & put them in their cages, They love them, as they can also chew on them

Tom


"promise me you'll always remeber:you're braver than you believe,and stronger than you seem,and smarter than you think" christopher robin to pooh
Re: Wood toys/perches in cage...safe? [Re: Dancing] #1120465
05/28/11 02:13 PM
05/28/11 02:13 PM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 773
usa
T
tournesoul Offline
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tournesoul  Offline
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T

Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 773
usa
I thought I read somewhere that if you baked it in the oven for a couple hours it would then be safe? Kind of like the kiln thing Dancing mentioned. Of course, I dont know where I saw that?

Re: Wood toys/perches in cage...safe? [Re: Dancing] #1120672
05/28/11 11:27 PM
05/28/11 11:27 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 557
Middlesex County, New Jersey
Tammie1971 Offline
Glider Lover
Tammie1971  Offline
Glider Lover

Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 557
Middlesex County, New Jersey
Yes, this is true. I have love birds I do that for, but remember the wood will adsorb gliders urine and it will stink. ohwell


Tammie~(owned by)
Baloo ~ a.k.a Wyatt :grey:
Leroy ~ a.k.a Doc Holiday :grey:
2 loving sons heart
http://www.wix.com/momof2terds/tcirks

Re: Wood toys/perches in cage...safe? [Re: Dancing] #1120678
05/28/11 11:37 PM
05/28/11 11:37 PM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,280
Ohio
LiveInTheMoment Offline
Glider Slave
LiveInTheMoment  Offline
Glider Slave

Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,280
Ohio
Yes.. it's very stinky, but my kids do love having perches. My chubbers especially. She thinks she's supposed to be the look out or something lol. She sits on top of them and scans the whole room.. it's really cute tounge. I replace them often though.


Erika (AKA ProudParent) & my kids:

Suggie :grey: Rocky :bb: Killara :plat: Willoughby :grey:

Re: Wood toys/perches in cage...safe? [Re: Dancing] #1120857
05/29/11 12:47 PM
05/29/11 12:47 PM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,745
Butte, Mt. USA
lilangels Offline
Glider Addict
lilangels  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,745
Butte, Mt. USA
Are weeping willow branches safe? I have a weeping willow tree in my yard but have been scared to put it in with the gliders because i didn't know if it was a safe wood. Frosty and snowball have a bridge i made out of apple branches that frosty just loves. The bridge is suspended on braided fleece and has a bit of a bounce to it and frosty spends most of his play time running back and forth on that bridge looking out over everything around his cage. We call him the sentry guarding his castle.


Connie: soon to be wife to Harold, mom to 3 children, 2 precious kitties, and my treasured gliders.
Re: Wood toys/perches in cage...safe? [Re: Dancing] #1120910
05/29/11 04:52 PM
05/29/11 04:52 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 13,454
South Africa
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Gizmogirl Offline
Glideritis Anonymous
Gizmogirl  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 13,454
South Africa
You can check for it Here thumb


Casper & Liezl
:grey:Gizzy, Boesman, Muchu, Kiamon, Sky & Boog:grey:
A glider's eyes have the power to speak a great language

RIP Sugar 2009 & Kaida 2013
Re: Wood toys/perches in cage...safe? [Re: Dancing] #1297884
10/16/12 02:14 AM
10/16/12 02:14 AM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,114
MI
Sweet As Suggies Offline
Glider Guardian
Sweet As Suggies  Offline
Glider Guardian

Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,114
MI
thanks There are so many great ideas flowing in the fact or fiction forum! I wish I had read this before buying gliders so I wouldn't have been so scared of everything.

I also have a weeping willow tree in my backyard, and now want to go out and clip some branches off for my suggies. However I will wait until daylight... jump

Last edited by MissU2Much; 10/16/12 02:16 AM.

Alicia

:cream: :bb: :plat: :wt: :leu: :wfb:

Naaya & Halo, Solari & Casper, Naphtali & Polar, Twilight & Cherish
Re: Wood toys/perches in cage...safe? [Re: Dancing] #1297907
10/16/12 07:31 AM
10/16/12 07:31 AM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 928
Concord, NH
cathy1229 Offline
Glider Guardian
cathy1229  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 928
Concord, NH
I have a sun conure, no suggies yet they're born just not ready to come home yet. Anyhoo, I have used natural branch perches for my sun conure ever since I got him 8yrs ago. He loves to rub his food caked beak on them to clean up, so I take them out weekly, soak them in boiling hot water first, scrub with my botanical cleaner, rinse well, soak again in boiling hot water for 10 minutes, then throw them in the oven @ 350 degrees for 2hrs.

This not only cleans and kills any germs/bacteria but also dries the perches so I can put them back in his cage. He has his 2 favorites and if they are not in his cage for any length of time its a total scream fest!


Cathy

Wife to a very special man &

Proud Mommy of:
1 aussie/bordercollie/husky/plotthound Wimpy
1 Sun Conure Cisco
3 Amazing fuzzbutts Akiah (my little princess) & her brother Acoose,Princess 'Tudie, and Tochee
Re: Wood toys/perches in cage...safe? [Re: Dancing] #1297916
10/16/12 08:30 AM
10/16/12 08:30 AM
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,089
Central Connecticut
BCChins Offline
Glider Addict
BCChins  Offline
Glider Addict

Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,089
Central Connecticut
When I had Chinchilla's I made them houses out of Kiln Dried Pine. They chewed the daylights out of those boxes. It never hurt the chins. I would think as long as it is dried then it would be safe.

I have found that soaking wood in a 5 gallon bucket with 1/4 cup or less of Vinegar, rinse it well then place the wood in the Sun to dry will remove a lot of the smell from urine.

Last edited by BCChins; 10/16/12 08:33 AM.

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Brenda &
Mr. Magoo

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Re: Wood toys/perches in cage...safe? [Re: cathy1229] #1297919
10/16/12 08:36 AM
10/16/12 08:36 AM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,389
Maryland
T
Terry Offline
Serious Glideritis
Terry  Offline
Serious Glideritis
T

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,389
Maryland
I am using the wood perches that came with my girls new cage. They're really a thick perch and the Glide-arium pole covers fit over them very nicely, so I use them as a sleeve, not to protect them from the wood, but hoping to help prolong the use of the wood.

I believe I got 3 perches with the cage, anyhow, I alternate 2, changing out weekly. On cleaning day, I take out perch, slide sleeve off and then spray perch with v/w solution, let it soak a little, then wipe, set it up on top of cage till the next week. Then I take a clean sleeve and place on the other perch.


I just ordered some Euc, though, so get to try out a branch for the first time. I'm very excited about that!


Lives with:
1 God
1 dog, (Willow)
1 Sugie, (Ollie)
R.I.P. Lulu (2/28/12-10/13/17)
R.I.P. Skadoosh (2/28/12-3/26/18)
Re: Wood toys/perches in cage...safe? [Re: Dancing] #1298282
10/17/12 06:17 PM
10/17/12 06:17 PM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 54
Greentown,Indiana
Wisteria11 Offline
Out of Pouch
Wisteria11  Offline
Out of Pouch

Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 54
Greentown,Indiana
I havnt had any wood toys. if they are safe I may try to get some


:grey: (Lion Female) Wisteria :lshower:
:leu: (Leu Mosaic) Winter
Re: Wood toys/perches in cage...safe? [Re: Dancing] #1368083
04/13/14 08:37 PM
04/13/14 08:37 PM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 16
Georgia
C
Curious Offline
New Member
Curious  Offline
New Member
C

Joined: May 2011
Posts: 16
Georgia
My babies absolutely LOVE wooden branches.

To the point, I wish I had them in storage in my room, because I have to change them out so quickly. The thicker they are the better. My suggies love to cling to them, love to claim them (with urine and all of them perched on one at once), and they POSITIVELY LOVE destroying them.

With any branch, even with a hardwood once, they all determinedly try to find a way to get the sap they instinctively feel that's underneath; that normally results in areas dug with their little claws or teeth. I have to make sure, if there are branches in their cage, to wipe them down every few nights until I have to remove them. lol

Re: Wood toys/perches in cage...safe? [Re: Dancing] #1401797
05/12/16 02:39 PM
05/12/16 02:39 PM
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 29
Wilmington, NC, USA
ncdaniel Offline
In Pouch
ncdaniel  Offline
In Pouch

Joined: May 2016
Posts: 29
Wilmington, NC, USA
Aww I have plenty of wood bird toys in the cage with my gliders...they seem to enjoy trying to chew them to pieces lol





Natasha Daniel
Suggie Mommy to:
*Izzy* :grey: Gizmo* :grey: Jade* :grey:
*Dan* :wfb: Rescue


Dachshund Mommy to:
Charlie - Blk/Tan Mini Shorthair
Willy - Red Mini Longhair Silky

& Dixie the Lab


Re: Wood toys/perches in cage...safe? [Re: Dancing] #1401816
05/13/16 05:13 PM
05/13/16 05:13 PM
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 2
Reno, NV
sugargldr Offline
New Member
sugargldr  Offline
New Member

Joined: May 2016
Posts: 2
Reno, NV
When it comes to wood toys I always make sure I seal them. I purchase beeswax and melt it together with some olive oil. Once it is cooled down and solidifies I use it to rub into the wood toys and perches sealing them. Not only does it work as a good sealant it's organic and nontoxic. Being organic it does break down over time. But since a little goes a long way once you've made your own sealant just bottle up the remainder for touch ups months down the road.

My only bad experience with a wood toy was that my pair, Solo and Leia like to tear the toys apart into little splinters and make a nest in their fleece sleepy tent. Cute as it was, one of the splinters got embedded in Leia's forehead and became infected. The area swelled up and filled with puss. My sweet Leia had to have the swelled area off the top of her head lanced open and the area drained of puss.

All was well in the end. In the 19 years I've had gliders this was the only time something like this happened with a wooden toy or perch. Leia healed very well. After about a month the patch on her head where the splinter embedded itself was fully healed and even her fur grew back in full.


My name is Jamee, I'm a fully licensed USDA breeder here in Reno, NV since 1997. We craft, cook, and grow organic foods for our gliders. After 18+ years it's high time to share my experience with others. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Re: Wood toys/perches in cage...safe? [Re: sugargldr] #1401821
05/13/16 06:56 PM
05/13/16 06:56 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,389
Maryland
T
Terry Offline
Serious Glideritis
Terry  Offline
Serious Glideritis
T

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,389
Maryland
I've been using more wood in my glider's cage lately, mostly platforms and a branch. I wash with v/w solution, air dry, and toss as necessary.


Lives with:
1 God
1 dog, (Willow)
1 Sugie, (Ollie)
R.I.P. Lulu (2/28/12-10/13/17)
R.I.P. Skadoosh (2/28/12-3/26/18)

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