We cut down some nice apple branches to use for perches in the outdoor aviaries. There are no pesticides on them and the trees they came from are not near a road where they got any residue on them. Yesterday I power washed them and disinfected them. They're spotlessly clean, but still green, would that be harmful to the birds in anyway?

Also, I have read where people have put fresh branches with leaves in aviaries for the birds to chew on. How do you clean them, without damaging the leaves?

I researched bird safe plants about a year ago but the study is on my brocken computer. If I recall right, as long as you don't mind a little sap it's ok. The wood is also softer when not dried.

Don't know, but doesn't that sound like fun for a bird?

Karen I only use the trees from my garden, we don't have any tree pests here or use any pesticides. I wash with the hose very well. The young leaves stay on very well but the larger leaves sometimes get a bit mashed. The birds don't mind because they like to cut the leaf stems.

I regularly cut apple tree branches for the birds. I dry them out in the sun or on the radiators (just because of bugs). But fresh is also good. Look at the aviary at the Oasis. (YouTube - African Grey Parrots at Oasis) You can see that it is built over pecan trees, which have been cut down but are alive and with leaves. I will do the same thing. I am planning an aviary to be built over at least one apple tree.

Thanks everyone! We put the limbs in last night. My goal is to have the aviaries set up by tomorrow. We're finally getting some decent temps!

The aviaries I'm working on right now are not for flying, just outside fresh air filled days. They each have a 5x10 aviary that are on my deck, so we'll have to settle for limbs and branches and not trees in these. A flight aviary will be going up on the lawn area. I haven't decided on size yet for that. I'm thinking 20x40.

Randi that video gave me so many ideas, thanks! I am going to see what kind of pedestal stand I can put together for a big tub of water for bathing.