Rat safe tree branches

[noober]

Hi there -
If I was to go into my garden and look for a tree branch to put in the rat's cage or play area, what types of wood should I avoid?
My prime candidate trees are crabapple, apple, lilac, maple and various pine types (though I think I know already that pine is not so good - phenols and sap?)
Any Southern Ontario trees that are rattie no no's?
thanks!

 

[whoknew]

ohh good question!
i don't have an answer, unfortunately.. but i would also like to add birch branches to the list of "are these suitable?"

 

[blytherue]

I remember a thread talking about the a few months back. I think I remember apple wood bring ok but with any wood you have to wash and bake it?

 

[ryelle]

You should only use wood that comes from fruit tree's - or willow tree's in any animals cage

 

[Avatar]

I remember a thread talking about the a few months back. I think I remember apple wood bring ok but with any wood you have to wash and bake it?

I know that for apple wood for chinchillas they siggest boiling the branches, then bake them on a low-medium temperature (checking often to make sure they don't catch fire) until they're dried.

 

[noober]

Do the branches need to be boiled or baked if they have been out all winter (it was -19 C on the weekend)? Is that to sterilzed for mould etc?

I searched wood, but maybe I didn't go back far enough in the posts

thanks!

 

[Maple]

Boil & bake or deep freeze. Buggies like to live inside these trees and you don't want anything walking on your criitters. Play it safe.