Perch Size

[urmyboyblue]

Ok I had this swing that could fit 2 maybe 3 budgies. But that was back when I only had 2 budgies, fast forward to today and my 4 budgies needed a bigger perch. So I built them one from old shoe strings and a dowel I found in the garage. Thing is, the dowel seems a little big for their feet to completely grab. I've noticed that though they use it alot, they don't sleep on it as they used to. When I do see them on it, it seems as if they don't have much balance as they flap their wings when they first perch onto it. Should I replace it with a tree branch I got from my blackberry tree? I thought maybe that natural wood might make it better for their feet too.

[hozie07]

i say replace it with the natural wood

[BUUZBEE]

I would sugest you have a few different types of perches, as it really helps streanthen the feet. We have natural wood, dowls, rope, and cement perches.

[ronsig]

Some branches should be thick enough, so that the toes don't go all the way around.
I notice that my birds prefer the thicker branches.

Sigrid

[Budgiekin]

Giving your budgies a variety of diameters is critical as it helps maintain the strength and flexibility in their feet. Your budgies can then choose which is the most comfortable for their feet at any given time.

[Angie]

Giving your budgies a variety of diameters is critical as it helps maintain the strength and flexibility in their feet. Your budgies can then choose which is the most comfortable for their feet at any given time.

I agree 100 percent. Also different textures. Like rope, wood, ect....

[Babyluv12]

Give them a variety of different textures and sized like Budgiekin said, so they can choose whichever they want, whenver. If the dowel is too smooth they may have a hard time holding on so you can try sanding it.

If you have a small bird — finches, canaries or parakeets —then you'll need a perch that is 3/8" to 3/4" in diameter.

If you have a medium bird — cockatiels, lories or senegals — then you'll need a perch that is 5/8" to 1 1/4" in diameter

If you have a large bird — african greys, amazons, macaws —then you'll need a perch that is 1" to 2" or more in diameter

As a general rule, a bird's foot should wrap itself around about 2/3 of the perch. The perch should never be so small that the bird's front toes meet or overlap the back toe(s). Birds will do best if the perches are of unequal diameter along their width, as could be found with natural branches, and some plastic branches. If all perches are the same diameter, the bird will always be placing pressure on the same areas on the foot. This can cause thinning of the scales, redness, bumblefoot and possibly infection of the bottom of the foot. Having perches of various sizes and materials within the cage will help prevent foot problems.