Birch-Safe or Not?

[rcr]

I'm confused. Is Birch safe or toxic?

 

[Parkerspetchins]

I don't know for sure since I am not a specialist, and I don't generally give my chins birch, but this is the source I normally reference when I am trying to find an answer to a safe wood question. I would say just avoid it if you have any doubt about the site's validity, better safe than sorry IMO.

From http://www.chinchillas2home.co.uk/safewoods.htm:

Birch - (Rosaceae) - (Betulaceae - no know hazard - but avoid: Black, Cherry,Mahogany and Sweet Birch - keep to: White, grey, broadleaf,silver and common birch) Leaves and bark contain salicylates and a few substances with hemolytic properties (destroy red blood cells). The low concentration of salicylates in birch BARK is unlikely to cause toxicity

 

[rcr]

Thanks Jean. Half the sites I've referenced say its toxic the other half say its safe.:thinking:

 

[Parkerspetchins]

Yes, you are right, I was double-checking chincare.com and they list it as not safe.

 

[Riven]

Birch seems to be one of those woods that is a personal decision.

In general birches have anti-inflammatory and some minor pain relief properties, very similar to willow.

I've used it for years here with no problems.

(Rosaceae)

This is the rose family, I'm not sure why it's in that sentence.

 

[tunes]

I have used it as well over the 8 or so years I've had chins and they seem to be fine with it. It is also used extensively in bird toys.

Don't believe everything you read on chincare.com. Some of it is usable, some of it is just bunk.

 

[Chinmama]

My chins have had it (white birch) over the years too with no problems.

 

[rcr]

Thank you so much Tunes, Riven and ChinMamma! :hug4: I have 6 great looking white birch trees available to me (that are going to get cut down) and didn't know whether or not to pass up the wood from them.

 

[heymom32000]

How lucky...free wood. I have used birch before with no problem.

 

[Riven]

And the logs that at too big for chins make great fire wood!