Flex Walk Cage Perches - Sooooo Cool!

[BirdBoy2]

Has anyone had a chance to try out the new flex walk cage perches, made by Happy Perch? I love these things! Anyone else had a chance to try them?

 

[BirdBoy2]

Sorry - no picture to post. I found them at www.perchfactory.com

 

[Tumbala's Girl]

Wow they look really cool! I think it would be great for Tumbala! He already has 3 perches in his cage but I like that they can be used outside of the cage. So your birds really like them? My question is...I've been reading a lot of information (since I'm new at this) and one of the things I've read is that they need a perch that is uneven, curvy or bumpy to stand on so they don't get arthritis. So do the little balls on the inside of the tubing help with that? Just wondering.

 

[Auggie's Dad]

I don't see how the balls could help. They are inside the tube.

I hate to always play the skeptic, but I have to ask: how are these any better than the shape able rope perches? I suppose these plastic ones are easier to clean, but rope perches are great for keeping their claws and beak groomed. I know Auggie rubs his beak on the rope all the time after eating, and I have seen many other birds do this as well - these PVC tubes would not serve that purpose very well.

 

[BirdBoy2]

The Flex Walk perches are just one of many different types of perches I use. They've been a fun addition to rotate in and out of the cage. I don't think it's possible for a rope perch of any kind, that I know of, including the Flex Walk, to keep beaks and claws groomed - there's just no abrasive to make that happen. The thing I do get concerned about with cotton and sisal type rope perches is my bird's claws getting caught in the rope fibers - that's not even possible with the Flex Walk perches - that, I like a lot! Having used rope perches and having cleaned them, it's a pain compared to the Flex Walk perch. With the Flex Walk, you can wipe it down and keep it clean and it's quick and EASY! With all this said, I would never use just one single size perch (or type) in my cages. My goal is to use a variety of perches that give my birds the opportunity to use their feet's full range of motion. Skinny ones, where the talons almost double wrap the perch (and teach balance) to flat rock type platform perches for flat footed walking. Ok, that's a little more than my 2 cents.

 

[Tumbala's Girl]

I did get him a cement perch to help groom his claws but I never see him use it! All he does is poop on it when he's on top of his cage and he uses the bars to crawl around when he's in the cage! He desperately needs his claws groomed but I'm a little nervous about trimming them myself. I'm afraid of hurting him...or him hurting me in the process. Also is the flat perch important?

 

[BirdBoy2]

In regard to the flat perch, it's probably the least important perch for our birds, so far as foot exercise goes. Our birds spend a lot of time outside the cage where they get plenty of flat-footed exercise. Bird's that do a lot of cage bar climbing get similar foot benefits from that activity as well.

In regard to the cement grooming perch, there are two things you can try. The first is to put the perch up high where your bird likes to roost for the evening. Make sure all other perches are a bit lower. The second trick to try is to hang or place food treats near the perch - a kind of quid pro quo. However, if you've just recently added the cement perch to the cage, your bird may be a bit fearful of the perch and/or it's color. Time is usually the answer to this one.