Perch Perfect

[Texasmujer]

Your bird spends the majority of its time on its feet, so safe, comfortable perches are essential. The ideal perch---whether stationary or swinging---is easy on your bird's feet, apprpriately textured, funr to use and chew, and easyt o clean. Be sure to provide several perches of varying diameter and textture to ensure proper exercise and foor health.

Perch Placement---Once you've selected the right perches, consider their placement. If food and water dishes do not already include perches, locate percches in front of them to facilitate easy access. (To prevent contamination from droppings, do not place perches above dishes.) Also, place perches so your bird's tail will not touch the side of the cage when its ssitting on the perch. Vary height and location, and make sure your bird can eaily move and fly throughout the cage with perches in place.

Perch Diameter---Perch diameter os crucial to the health of your birs. Your bird's foot should wrap around approximately 2/3 os each perch---toes should never meet or overlap. If perches are too small, or all have the same diameter and/or texture, ylur bird may suffer foot irritation and possible injury or infection. Offerperches in several diameters within your species; range.

Perch Sizing Chart: Diameter: 1/2"---1" recommended for Canary, Finch, Parakeet

Diameter: 3/4"-1 1/2" (one and one/half)---recommended for Cockatiel, Lovebird, Conure, Pionus, Lory

Diameter: 1 1/2"-2 1/2"---recommended for Amazon, Cockatoo

Diameter: 2"-3"---recommended for Large Cockatoo, Macaw



Keep Those Perches Cleran---Perches osiled with debris and droppings aree unhealthy for you and your bird alike. Clean dowels with perch scrapers. Spot clean natural perches when necessary. Scour natural branches, cement/mineral perches,
and plastic perches with a wire brush. Avoid scented disinfectants and those containing pine oils. Natural branches should be sleaned and placed on the oven at 250degress (this is in Farenheit) for 10-20 minutes to kill off any diseases. This requires close watching, by the way.