I wrote in awhile ago concerned about my old parakeet's feet. He has trouble going from perch to perch and sometimes his feet curl up and he cant move for awhile. Someone thought that maybe he has arthritis and suggested that i get some bigger sized perches, but i cant find them anywhere! I've been to every pet store around and they only sell two sizes- the huge parrot perches and the size i have now. They have the size i want, but they only come with the cages and they wont sell them to you separately. Is there somewhere online where i could buy them? I only need one. I just want a regular wooden perch for him, i dont think he likes the rope because i have tried that before. Thanks!

Home depot, or any hardware store....be sure to get an untreated dowel, and clean it with vinegar and baking soda, then let it dry out. You can even ask them to put some slits on each side so they'll slide into the bars of your cage like the current wooden ones do now. Take in one of your current perches so they can cut it to the exact length you need!

If he is having foot problems, you can order some special perches online. Rope and natural perches are the best, and you may want to consider a 'porch' for him to rest on. There are all kinds of sites out there! but stay away from sandpaper.

LLPB

these are called sun decks:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=8367&N=2003+113649

Poor birdie! Getting a wooden dowell from Home Depot is a great idea. I used them for my play gym and they had all different sized for about $1. Just make sure they're untreated and a safe wood such as pine.

Awww - poor sweetie. While you're at the Drs. Foster&Smith website, look around at the other types of perches they have. When I got Skye, all he had were wooden dowel perches, so I ended up replacing several of them with some all natural ones, a rope one (that one is still hanging from the side of his cage so he can get used to it, lol)and a great mineral block perch. It's a good diameter for him, he can munch on it, it's a tasty orange flavor (lol) and if the roughness might be a problem, I imagine a some quick swipes with some sandpaper would fix it. (Of course, rinsing well afterwards.) I've also heard of cork perches someplace - it might have been at the same website. If I can find it again, that'll be the next one I get for Skye.

Good luck!

I have to get an new perch also. What about plastic perches?

I have heard that plastic perches are terrible for their feet. I took them out of the cage(s) that I own and replaced them with comfy perches or wooden, dowel perches. My husband and I take walks and collect branches, etc and use those for perches also. They love the comfy perches because they chew on them also. I would avoid the plastic ones!

i heard that the textuerd plastic ones grow bacteria and its nearly impossible to get out
(sorry spelling is not my strongest subject)