How to Make Budgie Perches
Budgies, as they are called in Europe, are better known to Americans as the common parakeet. Budgies make beloved pets for young children and adults alike because of their friendly disposition and bright colors. One of the most critical supplies you need to keep your pet parakeet healthy and happy is a perch. Wooden perches give birds a surface to cull their beaks and a place to perch while sleeping. Making your own perches at home is a worthwhile project that requires only a few basic tools.
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Instructions
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Measure your bird's cage with a tape measure to determine the width of branch that you need. Then, measure the distance between two of the cage's bars.
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Search your neighborhood for spare branches that are the same width or slightly longer than your bird's cage and about the right diameter to fit between two of the bars. Manzanita, elm, beech and birch are all common varieties of trees with wood that is safe for parakeets.
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Saw the branches down to the correct size. Whittle the ends of the branch so they are thin enough to slide between the bars of the cage.
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Wash your branches under hot running water and scrub them with a brush to remove any debris.
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Turn your oven on to 225 degrees. Place the cleaned branches in the oven for about 25 minutes to dry the wood out.
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Slide a branch between two of the bars of the bird's cage. Replace the perch when it gets worn down.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not use branches from wood that you cannot identify as either manzanita, beech, elm or birch. Some woods can be toxic to birds.
When drying the wood in the oven, there is a small chance the branches could catch fire. Do not walk away from the oven while you are drying branches and take necessary precautions in case you need to put out a small fire.
If you use a saw to cut the branches down, wear proper safety gear and use caution.
References
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