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Thanks for the replies all, I'll avoid using varnish on the stand.

Hey guys, we just set up a YouTube Channel for our African Grey & wanted to share it with you. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCleT-cKF0D_EUUuFVuDTdNA Would love to hear feedback.

Here is the address for the study....Rev. Jayd http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Psittacus_erithacus/

Mika is a good healthy looking grey. I can't offer much advice on the terrible twos because I got Dorian after he'd been through them, but do a search in the training room. There's a thread in there about body language of a grey. Maybe you shouldn't allow him on your shoulder for a while.

Hi, I have a home made playstand I'm looking to use this varnish on: https://www.lakelandpaints.co.uk/testers-special-charts/woodstainshed-and-fence-matchpots/ I've emailed them to ask if it's safe for parrots and they insist it is, saying: Is this definitely safe for use on a playstand? Thanks in advance!

Interestingly your multiple posts across different subforums doesn't appear to be spam, as I checked the videos link in a sandbox. I started watching until a few seconds in where you claim the lifespan of the African Grey Parrot is well over 50 years. Nope. There's a study out there from the university of Michigan that shows otherwise. I stopped there.

I would not take a chance on any chemical finish on the stand it would be awful to find out too late that is was not safe when your bird becomes ill or worse. So what if the woods are not uniform it is a study in color and surface designs. if you cannot live with that then how will you feel about your bird taking chips and chunks out of the various woods? You can wrap areas with vet wrap. jute rope. cotton rope or hemp. Hang toys and treats as well. It is meant to be an entertainment center for birds right? When you live with parrots it can be difficult to have anything stay "nice".

Those big feet give him a greyt understanding. Sorry had to do that, he is beautiful. Good job getting him used to the veggies.

No varnish is safe for parrots. You can always vet wrap the area upon which your parrot will be standing.

As I always say, when in doubt err on the side of safety, it could possibly be safe but who wants to risk their beloved companion's life on this one man's statement, besides it is probably going to be chewed on and possibly some ingested, so what it is not the best looking thing, your bird will put her own touches on it perhaps. If your bird plays on it and enjoys it then its the best looking item in the house IMO.

The playstand was, unfortunately, made with differing shades of wood (it was made quite a long time ago) so it's not the most attractive item. As it's going in my lounge it would be good to even it out with some form of varnish but obviously not at the expense of using dangerous chemicals. That varnish in the OP has been the closest I could find to an all-natural varnish safe for animals as well as for young children. The guy insists it is completely safe but just wanted to see if anyone here knew if any of those ingredients could be detrimental. Oh, and I did ask about the slippery factor - the guy said it's more akin to a wood stain texture wise, absorbs into the wood a lot and doesn't leave a shiny slippery surface.

If you have any doubts I wouldn't use it. If the play stand is for indoor use then I don't think you need to varnish it...? Your bird will probably want to remodel the playstand by chewing parts of it, so I probably wouldn't run the risk, just in case.

I would steer clear of the varnish too no matter what they say. Raw wood is best.

Why use varnish in the first place, its not needed on wood that is intended for birds to be standing on, the varnish could make it more slippery for your bird.

Fynn is having lots of fun as are we! My daughter had him out this afternoon and he kept flying into my office to see what I was up to. I'd return him to my daughter, but in a flash he was right back for another little visit! He's a fantastic little eater. Today he had broccoli, carrots, yams, English peas, baby chard greens, sugar snap peas, corn, a sprinkling of raw hemp seeds and ancient grains, microgreens, my home made birdie bread, banana, grape, and blueberries. He tried everything and ate most of his lunch. Little crop has a nice bulge to it, too! Elvenking is right. His innocence pulls you in deeply. Wish he could stay that way. Haha! Well, we'll savor every single precious little baby moment while it lasts. I've ordered an avatar harness for him. Going to see if we can acclimate him to wearing it so that he could take walks with us. Our other birds were too old when we'd introduced it to them. It was a definite no go.

Ah those baby eyes, they get me every time, looks like Fynn is going to be so loved in his new home.

His feet are 4 inches front toe-tip to back toe-tip...Isaac's are something like 3.5 ....measure yours. This baby has giant feet. It's amazingly cute though He is like spider-man in bird form. Never fails to snag the perch. Super outgoing personality. The most curious of explorers. Have you seen flap time yet? Kind of figuring that if you have, you'll know what I mean by "flap time". Ha! Anyway, no matter how you slice it, when you bat an eye his way, he does nothing but make you happy and fill your heart with joy. A new baby exploring the world and having a lot of fun...being allowed not to be afraid. It's an experience that forever warms your heart, and you feel touched by this gift from the universe that you can share such a precious time with such a precious life. My daughter and I share a beautiful bond around this baby that we are truly grateful for. We are gonna have to go see him soon. Thanks for loving him. He is the most innocent soul when you watch him. All you see is the magic of life as you stare at whatever he does. Every living and breathing motion is filled with the magic that makes life so beautiful. Each little pout as cute as the last. Beautiful curiosity. Adorable questioning glares. He's an ever flowing tap into what makes living the most beautiful thing of all. It's a true gift to share in the youth of a precious creature such as an African Grey. They really are like children to me. This was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do in my life. I cannot remember having to turn on my heart when it was so strong. But I am glad he is going to be happy and loved. Thank you for giving him love and I hope he carries your heart away the way he has ours.

I will see to it, Elvenking.

Greetings, Here is a reply from Stanley Steemer about the ingredients used in their steam cleaning....they do not state the ingredients. Suggestion, remove all pets during the process and do not return pets until it is 100% dry. The safest carpet cleaning is to rent a steam cleaner and use vinegar water (no soaps). This will also remove mold. Please be aware that Carpet Fresh and Arm and Hammer Pet Fresh dry carpet cleaner can be DEADLY to your parrots. I am sure someone will post a reply on their experience. Thank you, Jayd