Eucalyptus

Tracey · Member Joined: Aug 06, 2006 Posts: 13

Hi everyone

I've read somewhere that Kaks can have eucalyptus branches in their aviary but does anyone know if they are safe with the whole thing - leaves and berries (these are dark and very hard not soft berries).

If so will boiling water be enough to clean it as it's come from a garden?

Thanks

Tracey

Steptoe · Site Admin Joined: Oct 06, 2004 Posts: 4550

We use several species for all our parrots...
We cut branches after heavy rain, or hose down well 1st

BIGBADBK · Snr Member Joined: Apr 05, 2007 Posts: 48

They will love them. Try some other wild food trees like Banksias, Bottlebrush and Casuarinas trees. Spelling might not be right but someone here might be able to copy some links??? to web pages (photos) but I'm just useless. Other trees that I've heard of being used are apple, willow and Hazelnut. What other trees/nuts do people collect, great start for a topic that is really worth some time. What about chestnuts???
BK

Peter · Foundation Member Joined: Oct 15, 2004 Posts: 599

Eucalytus contains high levels of ethereal oils. These have a disinfecting effect. For some reason Kakariki know that. When they chew on herbs that contain ethereal oils they start to spread it on their feathers. It is called 'Anting'.

Tracey · Member Joined: Aug 06, 2006 Posts: 13

Thanks for your advice

I'll have to get some more eucalyptus as I think I've destroyed this piece by pouring boiling water on it wall

I agree, a discussion about branches and trees etc will be very useful as I'm always afraid to try new things in case it poisons them