How to Make Natural Perches

Natural wood perches are a popular choice for pet birds. Their variable diameter lowers the risk of foot sores and arthritis, and the rough surface is easy for birds to grip. Most birds also enjoy chewing and stripping the bark from branches, which helps prevent an overgrown beak. Although natural wood perches are widely available at pet stores, the selection is usually limited and they can be quite expensive. If you want to save money or customize perches to fit your bird's cage, consider making your own.

Things You'll Need

  • Loppers or pruning shears
  • Non-toxic tree
  • Sandpaper
  • Chlorine bleach
  • Mop bucket
  • Disposable gloves
  • Oven
  • Drill with 3/16-inch diameter bit
  • 1/4-inch by 3-inch hanger bolts
  • 1/4-inch standard hex nuts
  • 7/16-inch wrench
  • 1/4-inch by 1 1/2-inch fender washers
  • 1/4-inch wing nuts
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Instructions

  1. Prepare the Branches

    • 1

      Make sure that the tree you are cutting branches from is non-toxic. Most bird care books and several websites have lists of safe types of wood. You should also avoid using wood from trees that have been sprayed with pesticides.

    • 2

      Use the loppers to cut appropriate-sized branches from the tree. Try to get branches that are a little longer than you need, since you will probably need to trim them before you install the mounting hardware.

    • 3

      Using your bird's cage as a guide, determine how long you want the perch to be. Trim the branch to the correct size using the loppers.

    • 4

      Cut the large end of the branch as flat as possible. If your loppers are dull or the branch is quite large, you may need to flatten the cut surface using sandpaper.

    • 5

      While wearing gloves, mix a solution of bleach and water in the mop bucket. Use 1/2 cup bleach to each gallon of water. Submerge the branches in this mixture and allow them soak for ten minutes, to kill most pathogens.

    • 6

      Remove the branches from the bleach solution and allow to air dry, preferably in the sun.

    • 7

      Bake the branches at 250 degrees F, directly on the oven rack, for 30 minutes. This will kill insect larvae and help prevent mold.

    Install the Mounting Hardware

    • 8

      Using a 3/16-inch diameter bit, drill about one inch into the cut surface on the larger end of the perch.

    • 9

      Thread two nuts onto the machine threaded end of the hanger bolt. Using the wrench, tighten the nuts against each other.

    • 10

      Insert the screw-threaded end of the hanger nut into the wood, and using the wrench, tighten it until the screw threads are completely within the wood. The two nuts on the machine-threaded end of the hanger bolt serve as a temporary "head" for the bolt. The entire machine-threaded portion of the hanger bolt should protrude from the branch.

    • 11

      Using the wrench, loosen and remove the two nuts from the hanger bolt. You should now have a branch with a machine-threaded bolt extending approximately 1 1/2 inches from the larger, cut end.

    Mount the Perch to the Cage

    • 12

      Place one fender washer on the bolt, and put the branch inside your bird's cage. The cut end of the branch and the washer should be flush against the inside of the cage, and the bolt should extend out of the cage.

    • 13

      Place another washer onto the bolt, from the outside of the cage. The cage bars should now be between the two washers.

    • 14

      Put a wing nut onto the bolt and tighten against the outer washer to mount the perch to the cage.