I actually prefer this to dowel rods. The problem with dowels is when it gets wet it absorbs the water and if you have a cham with any kind of girth to him it will flex under his massive a**. A few times I thought my Melleri were going to snap it. Bamboo is much much stronger.
The bamboo is right out of the back yard. Cleaned it and put it in and she took to it right away. We have loads of it so feel free to come by and cut yourself off a hunk, anyone who is interested.