The wood is still green and has a high moisture content. It takes up to a year to air dry wood unless you use a kiln or for small pieces maybe the oven would work at about 120 degrees, never tried it. the sap in undried wood will still bleed through the varnish. Also if they chewed not sure how good the varnish would be for them. If you decide to dry the wood don't pre cut the pieces, dry 1 to 2 foot pieces, they will crack at the ends which after drying you can just cut off.