[VirginiaDavis]

What is a good average perch size? I have a lot of manzanita and some poplar wood. Right now, Collin has two manzanita perches and two dowels. The manzanita varies, and its bigger then the dowel. Can a perch be too big?

[Andie's Mom]

Perches should be of various sizes and textures. This is to exercise their feet and help keep them from getting arthritis as easily.

I've not read or heard about a perch being too big but I know that they can be too small but I assume that that's mostly because it needs to support the weight of the bird.

One of my mentors (who is a vet) once said that they need to have flat surfaces as well so that they can stretch the toes completely out and so that it helps to exercise the ankle and work some of the other muscles in the legs. So I've always just made it a habit of having flatter surfaces for them to have to walk around on as well as varies sizes and shapes of perches so their feet are continually being exercised.

[miloreggie]

I think Hemingway has done well with 3/4" perches generally but as Connie said, he has perches of larger diameters as well. He currently has natural wood, rope, and concrete (down lower- for nail-trimming help) perches in his cage. He goes flat-footed in his happy hut.

[VirginiaDavis]

So maybe make him a little shelf as well? I have untreated pine here, as I own chinchillas and they all have wood ledges. I could make him a little ledge type thing..that does make sense though! Thanks I tried searching, but I think I may not be doing it quite right, as nothing really comes up LOL

[miloreggie]

Check out birdontherocks.com-- they have GREAT stone "shelf" perches for them. It might at least give you an idea for design!

[lolaleedog]

I found these thing called squatters on ebay. they hang from the side of the cage and it is a flat surface also textured for trimming beak and nails. my quaker likes to stand on it gets tired of the round perches sometimes. you might want to check it out..

[truman]

Does a play gym count and happy hut for enough time on a flat surface? Truman has various sizes and textures of perch in his cage, but no shelf. However, he sleeps in his happy hut every night. His cage top play gym has perches, but he also likes to fit on the bottom of it sometimes while playing with his toys. I didn't realize that flat surfaces were a necessity so hopefully those two things are providing him with enough "flat time."

[Gizmo #1]

Perches should be of various sizes and textures. This is to exercise their feet and help keep them from getting arthritis as easily.

I've not read or heard about a perch being too big but I know that they can be too small but I assume that that's mostly because it needs to support the weight of the bird.

One of my mentors (who is a vet) once said that they need to have flat surfaces as well so that they can stretch the toes completely out and so that it helps to exercise the ankle and work some of the other muscles in the legs. So I've always just made it a habit of having flatter surfaces for them to have to walk around on as well as varies sizes and shapes of perches so their feet are continually being exercised.

what she said

[Andie's Mom]

If you let them out on a play gym or even let them walk around on the floor or a table top or arm of a chair etc where they have to have their toes out straight its going to accomplish the same thing.

I've just been paying attention to my birds that do have the rock perches etc and they seem to love sitting on them more so than their reg. perches... Variety is the key I think.