Perch/Branch Types

[Moomoo]

So I'm doing plenty of researching and reading and something i was wondering about but cant seem to find anything helpful is the subject of sand paper grooming perches, and would prefer personal opinions and experiences over someone assuming whats better... heres pictures of the two types i have.

View attachment 17891

View attachment 17892

the blue one claims it is good for circulation, its not so sand papery but it is some what rough, and the tan one(mine is pink) is for grooming the nails and beak. the rest of the branches are all natural, no dowel branches but some of the natural ones i have purchased are so straight they look like dowels but the have bark on them and tree rings so i trust they are authentic. i had bought the sand paper perches specifically for my crow and it worked for him because we put them low and on doors and places lower, where he wouldnt spend longer then about 10-40 mins on them, but he hated his nails trimmed and it was less stressful for him to just sort of do it himself. i have no problem what so ever chucking them out if they are at all actually and truthfully harmful. I'd love to know what the community thinks! you guys are usually so helpful!

 

[ZephyrFly]

Sand perches come with the potential for bird to ingest sands and are I believe arguably quite rough on feet (though someone might correct me on that last statement).
Cement perches are a other option if your looking for it to keep nails trimmed (to a degree). Although not as effective as a Cement perch, I have a calcium that is quite rough and Pazu likes it.

 

[plumsmum2005]

I have a couple of BioMagnetic Perches for Plum amongst others, stuff and nonsense? Plum seems to like it though.

 

[Violet_Diva]

The blue one in your first image I believe is a 'cal-c-yum' perch (calcium!)
The second one is a 'cholla' cactus perch

I believe both are good for different reasons.

Cal-c-yum perch:
Good for beak buffing
Keeps nails trim
Good shape for gripping and foot exercise

Not recommended as a perch frequented for long periods or heavy use, so not ideal as a roosting perch (high in the cage) or next to food and water bowls (used very often).

I have one high on the inside of the door.

Cholla cactus perch:
Good for chewing
Good shape for gripping and foot exercise
Holes can be used for seed or nut foraging

Not recommended for moist locations as it can be difficult to clean, so not good near water or wet food bowls. It's also important to place it so that it isn't pooped on (for the same reason), so either high up (as a roosting perch) or in a safe spot away from potential poops and wet food. But beware of chronic chewers as the bolt end is usually screwed into a type of expanded foam filler which could be dangerous if your bird decides to chew all the way through to the centre of the perch at the end affixed to the bars. But I've not had a problem with this, but it's worth mentioning and worth monitoring!

I have one next to a dry seed bowl, without a perch above in order to avoid Pooping.

I'd also recommend the following perches...

A 'twister' perch, as they have a rough texture and variations in surface. (I have one low down on the inside of the door.)

A flat manzanita perch, as having a flat spot to stand on is relief from bars and shaped perches. (I have one next to a foraging wheel.)

It's also important to provide a variety of natural wooden perches of various widths, as too many rough surfaces can cause skin problems on feet if placed in bad locations or if there aren't enough 'comfortable' alternatives.

I hope some of that was useful... I just found myself rambling on! Sorry

 

[GaleriaGila]

My usual narrative...
I really recommend getting those nail-trimming perches... they can eliminate nail-trimming, which was always so stressful for me and the Rb. It took a few years, but I eventually established a pattern/rotation that keeps him trimmed. I haven't had to do his nails in 20-plus years. I keep a dowel as the main "highway" down the middle of the cage, but the special cement/trimmer/textured perches are all over.
A few brands... but there are many: Polly's Sand Walk... Pumice Perch... Trimmer Perch...
Be sure to introduce them gradually: they're abrasive to their tender feet at first. I LOVE them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Moomoo]

My usual narrative...
I really recommend getting those nail-trimming perches... they can eliminate nail-trimming, which was always so stressful for me and the Rb. It took a few years, but I eventually established a pattern/rotation that keeps him trimmed. I haven't had to do his nails in 20-plus years. I keep a dowel as the main "highway" down the middle of the cage, but the special cement/trimmer/textured perches are all over.
A few brands... but there are many: Polly's Sand Walk... Pumice Perch... Trimmer Perch...
Be sure to introduce them gradually: they're abrasive to their tender feet at first. I LOVE them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi GaleriaGila! ive seen you all over this community, Its nice to finally "meet" you, or i guess have an opportunity to say hi without it being super awkward and random! but i just wanted to say ive read alot from you on these forums and i think the Rickeybird is one lucky guy to have someone who would tolerate his alpha male behavior like you have! lol its honestly adorable, i love hearing about you and how you deal with his antics (having to live by his rules!) but yes, i know how hard it is to trim birds sometime, even though the crow was only a temporary rescue (happily flew away in his own time!) its was definitely traumatizing for him! i figured as long as it wasnt the highest perch and as long as he didnt spend all of his cage time on that one perch, it would improve his quality of life. ive only seen one picture on google that shows a birds (not a parrot, can obviously tell by the foot) foot with a hole in the bottom, it was supposedly caused by some sandpaper perch though it was so old of an injury the "raw" spot had turned brown, but i feel like if it got that bad then they dont pay close enough attention to their bird. our crow had a daily body check, we would check under the wings for lacerations, the beak for cracks, the feet for soars, the eyes for clarity, the nose for discharge, and even the plumage for ingrown or broken feathers. i guess it would be different for every and any bird. if your bird is stress by the experience i think the sand paper perches could be beneficial, now if the little Jenday (if we get him) is comfortable with nail clippings(probably wont try till i have gained his/her trust) then i can see how these perches would be redundant or unnecessary.
thank you for your input! i greatly appreciate it and what you do for the Rickeybird!!