|
|
Post by dusty on Jul 1, 2012 14:28:18 GMT
I have a plum tree in my garden. Today I have taken off a couple of the small twigs/branches for the goos to have. I think plum wood is safe for them. The question is - a lot of it is covered in lichen, I have soaked and scrubbed them but there is still a "tiny bit" left. Will the tiniest bit of lichen be harmful? Having soaked the branches should I dry them out thoroughly or can I just hand them over ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by dusty on Jul 1, 2012 14:36:15 GMT
Sorry - while we're on the subject, has anyone here tried chewing the wood themselves. I know that sounds weird but I used to use liquorish sticks at work to stop me from smoking. Some of what the goos have looks sooooooo good I wanna try some. Surely if its supposedly safe for them it would be safe for humans?? (I just wanna try out their new mix of herbs n flowers - looks yummy) I want an applewood stick  |
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Jul 1, 2012 14:45:10 GMT
I think tiny bits of remaining lichen should be OK. It depends upon air flow in the cage for whether you should wait for them to dry out first. You don't want the dampness to linger for ages. I'd probably leave them outside for a bit and let the wind dry them out, it shouldn't take long.
As to whether stuff is safe for you, all I can say is ROFL - let us know if you get tummy ache! Don't forget degus are specially designed to digest organic matter, so what is good for them, isn't necessarily good for us.
|
|
|
|
Post by winic1 on Jul 1, 2012 15:37:05 GMT
my dad used to chew little twigs, the way some people chew toothpicks. I think he preferred birch.
I just wouldn't actually eat (swallow) them.
|
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Jul 1, 2012 17:51:21 GMT
I've chewed licorice root as well, and I can see no reason why you couldn't try a twig of plum!! Let us know what you think!!
|
|
|
|
Post by dusty on Jul 2, 2012 16:06:30 GMT
OK so the plum wood is rather good, I can see their facination with it. It tastes fine but seems to have an effect a bit like a decent chilli!! It kind of makes your lips n tongue burn as an after effect. This maybe cos it is still fresh and has a certain amount of sap etc. still in it.
I prefered the apple twigs although you do get a mouthful of bark as they are more crumbly due to being dried out. Maybe I will put the plum in the oven to make sure it is thoroughly dried and crumbly, maybe it will be nice. You can definately taste the different fruits from the wood.
Birch?? I was brought up knowing how to recognise "Silver Birch" is this the same thing?
|
|
|
|
Post by winic1 on Jul 3, 2012 4:26:19 GMT
we have several kinds of birch that grow here. Silver birch would definitely fall in this group.
|
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Jul 3, 2012 10:41:47 GMT
There's only one common native birch in UK, which is silver birch.
|
|
|
|
Post by dusty on Jul 10, 2012 10:25:54 GMT
Excellent - I live next to one of the biggest caravan parks in Europe and all the lanes/walkways are lined with silver birch. I will see if I can get some for them. They loved the plum but after a few days I noticed one of them was peeing thick orange stuff  I took the plum out and it seems to have stopped so I'm guessing it was something to do with the wood juices, sap etc. Would it help if I dried the wood in the oven or is this just something that plum wood does? |
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Jul 10, 2012 14:53:00 GMT
I notice some wood, and plum is one of them, has quite a strongly coloured layer under the top layer of bark, that really colours the urine strongly. Any colouring of the urine in this way is fine, but making the urine 'thicker' doesn't sound good. I don't think drying would make a difference, but maybe it would help to start with smaller pieces, or shorter lengths of time with the big pieces until they get used to it.
|
|
|
|
Post by dusty on Jul 18, 2012 12:38:50 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Jul 18, 2012 14:41:27 GMT
WOW!!! That is really beautiful!! I'd be reluctant to give it to them, lol . . . but then again . . . I'd probably put it in for a while, then when they were ignoring it, I'd take it out, sand it up and do something decorative with it. I didn't realize that plum wood would have such amazing colour to it!
|
|
|
|
Post by dusty on Jul 18, 2012 22:07:01 GMT
Yay! this will be my 100th post (apparantly) Those pics were taken in the evening so the lighting isn't great. This morning in the sunlight it must be the best thing ever, the outer ring is pure orange, almost glowing, no wonder their pee was a funny colour with just a small bit. I am lucky enough to have a whole tree of this in the garden - any ideas as to what decorative things I could turn it into?, it is a really beautiful wood. Without my goos I would never have found this out  |
|
I took the plum out and it seems to have stopped so I'm guessing it was something to do with the wood juices, sap etc.
