Sunday, July 20, 2014

PERCHES


The cage I bought came with 2 white plastic perches which I discarded immediately as plastic can lead to foot soreness, all the perches that I use are all natural wood, preferably Eucalyptus, known for its medicinal properties, since the birds chew the perches too.I CLEAN all the perches with a diluted vinegar solution once a week.I also give my birds leafy Eucalyptus branches/Neem branches to chew on on a regular basis, this keeps them busy and drives mites away too
 Size is a critical factor when choosing a perch. Your bird should be able to rest comfortably on his perch. Your birds feet should not wrap completely around the perch but rest on the top half . Perches that vary in diameter will give your bird a choice as to the most comfortable spot to roost. Several perches of different sizes also exercise the feet while improving strength and dexterity. Improperly sized perches can cause medical conditions, such as arthritis to develop.
Natural branches make the best perches. They not only give the birds a comfortable perch, but provide a source for chewing. Birds enjoy removing the bark and chewing the branches so they may need to be replaced often.  
Several perches should be placed in each cage at different heights. Place a natural branch at the highest level in the cage for the roosting perch. Make sure the roosting perch varies in diameter so that your bird can pick the most comfortable spot to sleep.However Do not overcrowd the cage with perches or toys. Leave enough room in the cage for exercise and wing stretching. 
Clean and disinfect perches as needed. Do not allow your birds to perch and play on dirty perches. Parrots often use their perches to wipe their beaks on, so the perch nearest the food dishes should be a perch that is easily cleaned and disinfected. Placement of the perches can make a difference on how often they need to be cleaned. Try to install the perches so that they do not cross under or over another perch. If your bird is pooping on a lower perch then move a perch a few inches in either direction to prevent it from becoming soiled. Make sure that perches are completely dry before you return them to the cage. It is best to have 2 sets of perches so that you can always have a clean dry perch ready to replace a dirty one.
                                    Perch Diameter Recommendations
Bird Size            Perch Diam.
X-Small1/2" or less
Small1/2-5/8"
Medium3/4-1"
Large1-1.5"
X-Large2-2.5""

Stability is another important factor to consider when installing perches. Your parrot needs to feel secure and a perch that wobbles, or is slippery, may contribute to slip and fall accidents, this is important for mating purpose too.
In conclusion, provide your birds cage with several perches that vary in texture and diameter. Choose your birds perches carefully, considering all aspects of your birds behavior, size, and health and your bird will benefit from long term health and happiness. 

 
Perch Types
ImageQty     Type
bird perches

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Therapeutic Perches
Therapeutic perches help trim your bird's nails and may lead to a reduced need for nail trimmings. Try to place one as the highest perch in the cage or near your bird's favorite food dish--this will help make sure it gets used.
bird perches

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Natural Wood Perches
Natural wood perches are the best perches for your bird's cage. Not only do they offer different diameters for your bird's feet, but they are also good for your bird to chew.
bird perches

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Rope Perches
Rope perches are also a great addition to a cage. They provide a different, softer surface as well as a different size for your bird's feet.
bird perches

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Heated Perches
Yes, there are such things as heated perches. These perches are used to help regulate your bird's body temperature and comfort.
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Shower Perches
Shower perches can be very fun for a bird that likes to spend time with you in the shower.
bird perches

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Dowel Perches
Wooden dowel perches usually come with a cage and are cheap and easy to clean, but do not provide the size variety that your bird needs. It's ok to use one as long as there are other types of perches in your bird's cage.
bird perches

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NO Sand Paper Perches
DO NOT use sand paper perches or sand paper perch covers. These are too abrasive for your bird's feet and can lead to injury.
bird perches
Not too many perches
It's important not to overcrowd your bird's cage with perches. He should still be able to spread his wings without hitting a perch.

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