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Hi all, I have a pair of sharp tailed conures in an aviary and have given them pine and eucalypt branches for chewing but they are very reluctant to use them. Can anybody suggest an appropriate chewing material? BTW I'm in New Zealand so we may not have some of the species of tree available here. Thanks in advance.

My Gus' (GCC) favorite chewing material is toenails, my toenails, still attached to my feet toenails Her second favorite is fingernails. I'm letting it pass, so long as she doesn't move on to fingers...So far so good. Her toenails on my feet are a bit of a problem, though

If you don't have an avian vet, you might call the Kiwi Conservation Club in Auckland and ask for contact info on avian vets in your area. Even dog/cat vets could probably give you such info. And an avian vet could easily answer your question about what native vegetation would be safe for your conures to chew. My flock chews on many different types of branches each day, but I have no idea what grows in NZ. I do encourage you to learn more because chewing on branches is one of the great pleasures of all birds IMO.