Picking Perches?

[Titanius]

Recently I went into a local pet store to look for new perches for my tiels... and I was kinda overwhelmed .. There were just too many perches to pick from. I felt a little like Goldilocks...some were too big some were much too small. Some were just different....I was wondering if any one had any go-to types of perches that they use with their birds and maybe a reasoning behind it.

[TheNzJessie]

i use ti tree wood for perches. the store i buy them asks you what bird you have and how long you need then then proceeds to cut them to size for you birds feet. i think its great lol saves me so much hassle for the reason you have stated

[Kim S]

For the thickness of perches I always use the 2/3 rule. The birds feet should grasp around 2/3 of the perch and leave 1/3 open.
That said, I'ts vital for the bird to get perches of different thickness. But the 2/3 rule is a good average.

I prefer natural perches. A few rope perches and at least one sandy perch.
Try to stay away from white or other single coloured rope perches though. No matter how many poop you wash, scrape or hose off, you will always see icky stains.

[TheNzJessie]

i ahve 1 rope perch 1 sandy perched and 3 natural perches of different widths

[Natacha]

I use mostly natural wood perches and rope perches in their cages. I do offer a concrete perch to most of my birds, in fact all but Pixel, since they really only go on it when they are ready to come out (it's on their door). Pixel had a tendency to always be on it or on the bars of her cage (force of habit, that is what she was used to where she used to live) so until she gets comfortable being on teh other type of perches, she won't have the concrete one since her feet were pretty bad off because of this. (Mind you, they are looking much better now ).

Where wood is concerned, my guys seem to love grapevine the most.

[Giantmoa]

I mainly use branches from my lemon tree and other non-toxic trees in my yard. I strip off the leaves (just because I'm not sure which trees are safe to give the leaves as well...) and wash the branches then wedge them in her cage. She loves "de-barking" them and chewing all the twigs. best part? they're free and I have a nearly limitless supply if you have this option it can be really nice
swings are also a must for my bird, she loves her boing the most though

[entrancedbymyGCC]

We try to go for a variety of shapes and materials. Scooter LOVES his rope perch, but has one smooth-top sandy perch, and two natural wood. Scotty has rope,manzanita branch, three dowels and one natural wood. I like the idea of the odd-shaped branches giving a variety of shapes and sizes in one piece.

[HyperD]

Anyone else see this topic after the one about cleaning it with vinegar and read it as pickling perches?

Or am I just going bonkers?

[jayebird]

I mainly use branches from my lemon tree and other non-toxic trees in my yard. I strip off the leaves (just because I'm not sure which trees are safe to give the leaves as well...) and wash the branches then wedge them in her cage. She loves "de-barking" them and chewing all the twigs. best part? they're free and I have a nearly limitless supply if you have this option it can be really nice
swings are also a must for my bird, she loves her boing the most though

I've been looking into getting a Boing thing for my GCC - but most of them look so big that I can't imagine they'd even respond to his weight being on them? What size did you get and company and stuff? Does it bounce for him and does he love it?

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Anyone else see this topic after the one about cleaning it with vinegar and read it as pickling perches?

<raises hand> bonkers here too.