Birch wood

[renzo0684]

Ok I have a quick question. The safe wood list in the FAQ's list birch as a safe wood. Is this true? I have been looking at other sites and they list birch as a non safe wood-http://exoticpets.about.com/od/chinchillas/qt/chinchillawoods.htm

The reason I am asking is because I am building a couple cages for Rosalie and Emmett. Lowes sells 8x4 sheets of birch which would be the side and back walls. for the frame and shelves I am going to use pine. Would this be ok?

 

[CJR]

The pine needs to be kiln-dried, I know that. As for the birch wood, no clue, sorry. I'm sure someone else knows though.

 

[Parkerspetchins]

I would assume that the large sheets of birch have some sort of glue adhering the sheets together and that would not be safe. I think Birch is one of those may or may not be safe kinds of wood similar to Maple, some say yes and others say no. Kiln dried pine is definitely safe though ).

 

[renzo0684]

what would you suggest on using for the back and side panels. The chinchillas cant really chew on them because there is not any edges or do you know of a good place to get a few 4x8 pine sheets?

 

[Parkerspetchins]

I don't know if HD or Lowe's sells sheets of pine. I think they do. Could you do sheet metal over the sheets of wood maybe? So I'm just thinking that I have to clean my walls because sometimes the girls like to get various liquids on them and this is common with chins in general. How does one clean wood walls of a cage? I would think that would be difficult/unsanitary. Most people use melamine for solid walls. You can wipe it easily but it is heavy.

 

[renzo0684]

I don't know if HD or Lowe's sells sheets of pine. I think they do. Could you do sheet metal over the sheets of wood maybe? So I'm just thinking that I have to clean my walls because sometimes the girls like to get various liquids on them and this is common with chins in general. How does one clean wood walls of a cage? I would think that would be difficult/unsanitary. Most people use melamine for solid walls. You can wipe it easily but it is heavy.

Oh my gosh I cant believe I did not even think of sheet metal over the wood or meamine! thank you so much for the idea... I will post pics when the project is done. I am so excited now! :dance3: