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Using wild branches; for perches
Topic Started: Jun 28 2015, 01:15 PM (360 Views)
Paisley
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Hello,

Does anyone use wild branches for their birds?

I have access to woodland from my doorstep. We are away from main roads and I'm 100% sure no pesticides wood be on the trees.

I know we have apple trees and hawthorn which are safe and I can easily identify. Just wondering if you can put them in the cage as they are with leaves on (obviously thorns removed on the hawthorn) or if leaves should be removed and the branches washed somehow?
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Berni
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I use weeping and goat willow also Silver Birch. I just give it a cold water rinse as no pesticides/herbicides or car fumes from my dense woodland/forest sites. They love nibbling the leaves and growing points. A lot of how and what we clean is a personal choice. I know my surrounding woodlands very well and prefer not to exterminate my branches in ovens/microwaves or chemical baths. If ever I was in doubt I'd use the steamer.
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Lauren
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I just check to make sure there's no bird poo or wildlife on them and give them a wash, leaves and all. In the autumn and winter Hawthorne with berries on is extra good.
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Kathryn
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So far I have only given twisted willow and eucalyptus branches. We have a fair amount of birds in our garden and I worry a bit about any diseases.

I scrub well with a brush, boil a kettle and after scrubbing slowly run the boiling water over the branches a couple of times. I leave the leaves on which they pretty quickly nibble off and i remove them from the base of cage the next day.

Mine always seem quite excited when I renew the branches. :)
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Paisley
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Thanks for the tips everyone! I will have to take a little saw when I walk the dogs!
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