Lisa Shea Forums Parakeets General Parakeet Chat Perches

So, I know my keet Tango needs different types of perches, different sizes, textures, etc...but what are the best? Obviously natural types, but what about the concrete ones that they say exercise the leg muscles? The sand / pumice ones that they can groom their beaks on, and their nails? Are those something I want for him? I know not to put gravel paper down because it's uncomfortable for the feet and can irritate them, so wouldn't the grooming perches be the same? Thanks!

The best grooming perches are the textured cement perches which have a varying diameter.

All perches with varying diameters -- cement, natural wood, rope -- will not only provide good exercise for the leg muscles but also prevent the skin on the bottom of their feet from becoming damaged (which would happen if you used only dowel perches ... their feet would always make contact at the same spots).

My little guys like those lava rocks that attach to the cage bars for grooming their beaks. Volvo also thinks that rock makes a good perch sometimes.

Tango is very lucky to have found a person who wants everything to be right for him.

Thanks so much for answering, Kymber! I appreciate you taking the time. And, I believe it's our responsibility- if you're going to have an animal under your care, you are responsible for taking care of them, and providing what they need, not the least of which is love. And he's rewarding me by trusting me a little bit more everyday. Ha ha- the length needed between my fingers and the millet spray is drastically smaller today! I was almost close enough to touch him- but I didn't. Such a sweetie!

Try to avoid the sand perches; they're cheaply made and if the birds ingest the sand it can be bad for them. The concrete ones are great though and they can even sharpen their beaks on them

Thanks Stephen- no, I agree, I would never use the sand perches, it's not comfortable to their little feet and too rough- same with the gravel paper. Tango likes his seashell perch though, and sharpens his beak on it.