I snipped off the needles on the branches (sticks, I don't know if you can call them real branches) and I scrubbed it and dried it for a few minutes in the oven at about 200.
I decided to give one of the rescues a small piece. It's strange because she didn't treat it like a chew toy, it was more like a something she has just been dragging around the cage and sitting on. Very strange...maybe the chin is just a strange chin?
Anyhow. It seems to be something that the chins like fairly well.
If anyone ever wants some ocotillo, let me know. I can pack up a box of it and send it out for someone to make toys. I can get a lot of it already dried and ready for scrubbing, it's all over here in the high desert.