Lisa Shea Forums Parakeets General Parakeet Chat keeping things safe& what kind of perches

I've had a few problems this week with my bird chewing things
that might not be good for him. I had to clamp one of his
perches from the out-side. But I caught him chewing the clamp.
And it had color on it. I don't know if it has lead but I
took it away. want to avoid toxic paint nible nible, Nothing
is safe ( I think to myself) So I had posted RE: my bird
knocking feed cups, pushing his perch UP and so I have
things clipped down ect. So it seemed it was only that one
clip he was chewing. I remembered once ( I think Illusive F
had given me advice RE: moving the perches around/different)
Anyway I did ( change the perches) and I had some new toys
that he never played with? so I put a toy ( where the clip was)
And added a bell and also hung up a little green ladder
on the side of the cage (next to the perch area) Quite
astronishing, thinking I started a little job for him
new toy new chew, he gave me a awareness look I'm thinking
maybe some tangible improvement, even the smallest detail,
"just hoping" I never just shrugg off because i never know
what he'll do and I don't know if he gets bored? I think
his patterns & behavior is normal but I must keep a eye,
supervise and I can't assume anything. So we went into the
living room & I was sitting & relaxing. I have a TV tray
I put his cage on. The tray is really nice & easy for me to
clean & it is HIS! My husband & I have been keeping a eye
on our bird since we caught him chewing things. I left the
room and I hear my husband Yacking at the bird and calling
for ME OMG what NOW? Our bird was chewing (UNDER The TRAY)
The bottom of the edge of the tray! And sure enough he did
it again. I checked the bottom of the tray. It was like
cardboard-glue like cover. Supervise supervise SUPRIZE!
I NEVER even knew what was under that TV tray? But when
I wash/ripe, I probably loosened up (the stuff) I'm not sure:(
I'm sure the stuff would be poisonous or no good for my bird.
We've never seen our bird ever do this before. My husband
said he couldn't figure out what the bird was doing?
My husband thought he was (about to fly off or something?)
that tail strieght up & head under the tray. OMG
Of course I said, "You little Dickens" <--Austrailian slang
But I take it back ha he's not a little devil BUT...
Curiosity & playing antics entertain me but wear me out
safe proofing. So I covered the bottom of the tray and
NOTHING he can chew or eat NOW from under but I wonder
What Next? And these little birds can be so elusive (Quick)
What kind of perches are the best? Pumice kind? I've used
the branch kind and how are the COMFY perches? I see alot
of those but do the birds chew them & how safe? I have other
perches and also wood perches but I want maybe the Pumice kind?
or should I mix different perches ( I've done that before)
mostly I had the multi-branch manzanita. Seems I've gotten
fearful of WOOD ( hearing of stories & injury) I took
the wood toys away. Someone said that Popsicle sticks are ok?
How safe is wood? after reading what happened to Jazz ( bird)
How safe are the wood perches? Wish everything could be
one fit all OK rope perches? Concret type-pumice?
I've never had no foot abrasion/problems or anything
but wondering what is the BEST perches? sorry I write
long posts. Thanks again ( a while back) Illusive F
saying to move things around? Also I'm going to get
stainless steel clips ect.

Wood perches aren't safe? What have you heard that scared you about them, could you please share?

It's best to get a variety of perches in different sizes-diameters & lengths, and textures and put them at different heights, rearranging them every few days. Wood perches are safe if you don't get them from outside, but buy organic manzanita or other bird-safe wood. Either way you'd want to clean them thoroughly and bake them to kill any bacteria.
Sandpaper is always a no-no, and sand and pumice perches are hard on their feet and can cause sores, so if you get them, make sure to get ones that have the coating only on the sides where the nails would be and make sure you bird(s) don't eat the sand/coating off. You do not want to get any perches that are painted or have coatings or are made of metal -unless it is stainless steel. Rubber is ok if it is non-toxic and they cannot bite pieces off. Be careful of cheap plastic perches, they may have lead in them.
If your bird is chewing alot, you probably want to get it some chew-safe toys and a bird kabob or two.

I don't know if there is such a thing as "BEST" kind of perch. The best thing to do is have a variety of types/textures/diameters.
Manzanita perches are good, cement,pumice, Comfy rope perches(my guys LOVE their comfy perches for sleeping at night )..natural branch perches that you can make yourself if you have safe trees to get branches from.
They even make edible perches that are good for chewing and also good for beak and nails. I have one but L & Z don't seem to chew it often but they do perch on it. I have heard others say their birds love to chew and destroy them. This is the edible perch I'm talking about-last one on this page http://www.jungletalk.com/prod_accessories.html They come in a variety of shapes and sizes not just the one shown. Maybe since Chicky seems to be in a chew and destroy frame of mind lately he might like one?? LOL
All in all variety is best.
Oh, and I have secured many a perches with hemp string too. It works well
They DO keep us on our toes don't they?? Never a dull moment.

Everyone here is right! You need to get a variety. I have a lot of perches and they're all different. However, there are some in the past that I recommend not getting. I'll give you a list.

Cement Perches - I have a couple of these to keep my bird's nails and beak trimmed. They are allowed to chew on this one and they like it better than their cuttlebone. The cement around the perch is surprisingly soft, so it's not hard on their feet.

Wooden: These are nice for beginners. It's also soft for their feet. I have a few ladders for them that are wooden and they of them. My birds do not tend to chew on them though. I always make sure there are no splinter-looking things sticking up. You should inspect for loose spots on the wood that could cause splintering.

Rope: These are my favorite. They are rope perches and you can bend them how ever you like. They also can serve as a ladder for getting to one part of the cage to another. It's very soft on their feet and my bird's do not chew on it.

DO NOT get the edible perch! It is a short perch that is pink and it says that it is edible, but from past experience, I would not buy it. Jazz ate this "edible" perch and got his intestinal tract ripped on the inside. It was pretty bad. I'll grab a pic for you if you'd like.

If your bird is having issues with chewing, he could be bored or he's trying to sharpen his beak. Do you have a cuttlebone? You may want to get him some toys that are chewable. You can ask your vet about chewable toys that are safe.

I purchased 2 of the rope-type perches that Jess mentioned above. I put one in Denny's cage and one in Dickie's cage. Denny had no problem with it, jumped up on it and used it as his main perch. Dickie on the other hand HATED it. Wouldn't go into his cage until I removed it - little stinker.:) He wouldn't even go over to visit Denny, because of the perch, so I had to remove it from Denny's cage also. I also bought them each a bird-kabob. Again, Dickie was freaked out that it was in his cage. So I had to remove it. Denny is okay with it being in his cage but hasn't touched it yet.

YES! Jess, by all means please post a pic of the edible perch you're talking about.
Is it the same as the edible one I have only yours was pink? I've never seen colors other than the brown like mine.

Lady Viz, Ziggy is sometimes totally freaked out by new things i put in their cage too. I found that if I place new things beside the cage for a few days so he can scope it out from afar and decide it's not going to eat him LOL it helps. If it's a toy I play with it near the cage and ooh and ahhh fun fun fun now and then which also helps. Crazy kids huh?

Have you ever even considered getting your bird to a vet where it has this excessive chewing habit and see if maybe there is some sort of irregular growth inside or out on its beak...this could be from all its chewing some sort of health issue...id get the bird to a vet and have a THOROUGH check up done...not just the beak but blood work to see if its lacking something in mineral deficencies...

Birds chew however, for some reason yours seems to be doing it excessively, and a THOROUGH AVIAN VET CHECK i believe is in order.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753049

This is the perch I am talking about. Please, everyone should make sure they do not give this to their birds.

Understanding what has been said RE: a growth/ or beak/chewing
and health issure.We've just had a check-up a short while back?
But not for chewing. They always tell me he's just fine so far.
I do belive in the blood-work and wont hesitate if ANYTHING
else happens or seems abnormal. I seem to over-react I guess?
I was sharing 'things' RE: chew mode more towards
the 'naughty' area and how important it is to Watch everything
'THEY do' and getting into 'things' we're never expect them to?
;)I was baffled & how quickly he went for the TV tray.
and same day too. I'll never know how he had figured out
RE: under the TV tray? or why but I'm thinking maybe
possible when I had wiped it? and maybe he 'smelled something'
or it was damp. I'm only sharing my thought and how
scary (to me) because I'm so thankful we caught him in time.
Like I think what if I never knew at all? But this will
help me to remember to check everything out RE: safty.
I'm glad I was able to cover the bottom of the TV tray.
It is a large one and I like it for the size of my bird's
cage ect. Anyway seems after I removed the clip & moved the
perches around/changed & added toys ect. everything has
been cool in the cage all has been well for 4-5 days now.
I keep a journal & write everthing down and try to see if
for what reasons ( my bird does things or 'acts up')
I keep track of what I feed him/ dates/weeks or what was
going on during these times, 'hormones or close to molting'
Mostly I think I spoil my bird <teasing> but it backfires
on me sometimes and I think he gets a little bored or
'something' or he (knows what I am thinking) Geeesh
I keep him with me ALOT and it seems if I leave him/
leave the room (sometimes?) I'll notice things/behavior.
:/All the information RE: perches help! THANK YOU!!
I know RE: sandpaper ( is a no -no) and plastic perches-
I think I want to try out the cerment type? I 've had
different variety but not cerment. I do use the branches too.
OH RE: Jazz, he ate the edible perch? OMG So that was it.
Not the regular wood perches. I understand Now- This INF.
is ALL very helpful. RE: Lady VYZ and KKsuns (I like the
idea of laying the toy 'out near the cage too' Of course
the bird will knock them off/play ect. as long as we
'bend & fetch' ha Right? my bird gets the happiest little
LOOK/smile on his face WATCHING me 'bending over/picking up'
Lady VYZ & rope type & Dickie hating it!!! That's
how my bird WAS with his ladder (climbing up to the cage)
JUST HATES the thing And NOW I do too <teasing>
Anyway I ordered some rope perch today. They're 'neat'
Thanks & I'm crossing my fingers Chick will like it?!
Going to try a new perch too. Just ordered some more
of the herb salad/ hatched egg shell & other good stuff
for my bird. It was cool today so I made some 'crackers'
for him (They turned out ok but look funny) and I tried
making some muffin/type cake-like grains/seeds healthy
and put in the freezer for later on. Wont be using Oven
when the heat comes that's for sure Here. My husband
always says the muffins look good enough for us to eat?
I say "they are" m'm I also use Ezekiel Low sodium
bread. Trying to add more fruits now too? Mango & other?
Little berrie (pieces) I must chop fruit very very fine.
I'm wanting fruit that has the most VITAMINs & stays
fresh the longest? I've noticed Now My bird likes to
eat the fruit at PM when my husband comes home? I was
trying to get the bird to eat it in AM but he likes it PM!
I wont be writing as much and THANKING everyone (so special)
My bird is here as I write and he just jumped "UP"
to me ( lets me know it's time) ha time to go fly & play
as I try to sneak a little TV BROVO show