Perch dilemma

[Williamsong]

So we had a bit of an issue with the the skin on the bottoms of cookies feet peeling off some and we were told it might be because his skin is very dry and he is using his cement perch to much... So we have been toweling him and running neosporin into his feet really well so that he can't lick any off, and then running a humidifier in the bird room during the nights. So I think we need to get cookie some new softer perches because his foot bottoms have been getting a little pink in some spots, where the skin has peeled. So I recently bought a $50 dollar heated perch that is also rough and sandy, I would really like to keep the perch because I spent $50 dollars on it and I would like cookie to be able to warm up on it at night, i just need a way to make it a little easier on his feet. And also if anyone knows of any perch types that are soft and easy on the feet that would be a great help too.

 

[happy410]

We used sandpaper to smooth our heated perch. It still has a small amount of texture to it but no where as rough as it was.

 

[henpecked]

Can you describe the perches he has now? What diameter , what are they made of, etc. Personally i have more foot issues with soft type perches. Does he have any natural wood perches?

 

[JerseyWendy]

I completely agree with our Captain (henpecked).

Let me use my B&G as an example: His sleeping perch is a thick rope perch. I have to remove it every other week for several days because he develops 'pink' spots on his feet from it. Once I remove it, and he uses a rather big chunk of dragonwood (with bark) to 'roost' on, the pink spots completely disappear within 2 days.

IMO various types of natural hard wood perches with different diameters are the best solution for 'pink' feet and even sharp nails.

 

[Christinenc2000]

I completely agree with our Captain (henpecked).

Let me use my B&G as an example: His sleeping perch is a thick rope perch. I have to remove it every other week for several days because he develops 'pink' spots on his feet from it. Once I remove it, and he uses a rather big chunk of dragonwood (with bark) to 'roost' on, the pink spots completely disappear within 2 days.

IMO various types of natural hard wood perches with different diameters are the best solution for 'pink' feet and even sharp nails.

Same here. I have to swap perches around or he will get pink on the bottom.

 

[Bundiibird]

Thanks for the information Richard, Wendy and Christine. I have noticed Millie has a small pink spot on the bottom of both her feet and was thinking that it was the Cement perch. But she loves to sit on boing and that could be the culprit. I will change out and see what happens. This boing is her roosting spot.

 

[Williamsong]

I think it probably is the rope perch cause that is the only per he he uses most of the time, right now he has one 1" diameter rope perch, one 1 1/2" rope perch, I have another that I took out of his cage cause I thought it was too thick, it is probably a 3 inch diameter, he liked it but I thought it was to smooth and thick that it would just put pressure on the same spots of his feet.

 

[henpecked]

Sounds like you need some good natural perches.

 

[mh434]

My YNA has several perches that he uses, including one cement (to try to keep the talons down a little), rope, wood, etc., of different sizes. He seems to favor one or another of them for a day or two, then changes to a different one for a day or two. This allows him to pick whatever he wants, and whatever makes his feet comfortable. Seems to work fine...

 

[MonicaMc]

I have heard of some people using coconut oil or red palm oil on the bottom of their feet to help moisten them. It's ok if the birds ingest it, too!


It's possible the dry feet could also be diet related... I've heard that both amazons and african greys benefit from additional vitamin A within their diet.

 

[nalini]

I agree can't beat natural wooden perches. Had some incidents of red patches on my OW amazon from a cement perch. All the others are natural wood, I removed it and he's fine. Loves chewing on the wooden ones too so that's a bonus for him.

 

[Mango7218]

You could try Platform perches and I second on the coconut oil im sure that will work its also great to use on the beak.

 

[msdeb]

We use natural wood perches from our trees and replace them when Charlie whittles them down to nubs. Polly doesn't chew hers yet but she does clean and rub her beak against them. Her feet are much better since she isn't using dowel rods anymore.

 

[Williamsong]

once it warms up outside i will have to go get some good branches from outside, and pick up some hanger bolts, washers, and wing nuts from Menards and make some really nice natural perches.

 

[henpecked]

Let me know if you need any SS hardware. I have all that stuff in stainless.