- 1). Find a natural branch in an appropriate size for your purposes. Check beforehand to ensure that the tree has not been sprayed with pesticides and that the wood is not poisonous to your bird. Apple wood is an example of a safe wood.
- 2). Clean the branch with water and a little bleach. Use a scouring pad to ensure that the branch has been thoroughly cleaned, but leave some bark for your parakeet to chew. Protect your hands from the bleach by wearing gloves. Thoroughly rinse the branch with plain water. If desired, bake the branch in your oven for a short time to ensure that there are no insects in the branch.
- 3). Mark the middle of your board. The board size that you need will vary depending upon how large of a perch you are making; bigger perches need a bigger board to balance the branch.
- 4). Hold the branch to your mark, then use the power screwdriver to put a screw through the board and into the branch from the bottom of the board. This step may be easier if you have someone to hold the branch steady for you.
- 5). Test your perch by wiggling it. It should feel steady and stable enough to easily take the weight of your bird. If it does not, you may need to tighten the screw, use a larger screw, use a second screw, or get a bigger base for the perch.
- 6). Add some bird toys to the branch. Parakeets enjoy dangling toys and swings. Many bird owners like making their own bird toys, and finding materials that are appropriate for your bird is not difficult.
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