Flat Perches for a special needs bird?

Question

Does anyone know where I could find a flat perch? My special needs cockatiel likes to perch on flat surfaces as his feet are very tiny and he has trouble gripping the round ones. I had one that was made out of a slice of a tree and he loved it but unfortunately I had a problem with red mites and had to throw away all my bird supplies, cages, etc. and replace everything. When I discovered the mites they were thriving in that slice of wood, so I would prefer either plastic or stone. I have looked online without much sucess.Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Not sure about those, but if yuo were to get some pressure-treated wood from your local home improvement store cut to size and coat it ENTIRELY in acrylic paint before putting it in the cage it should prevent any future infestations.

Answer 2

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.js...

ha ah

Answer 3

First of don't ever give any bird cotton balls to play with. That is unless you would like to amputate a leg, foot or toe. The cotton fibers will get wrapped around their toe, leg or foot. Usually you see the bird picking at the fiber. When they do this they unwittingly tighten the fiber up. Then the circulation is cut off. If the bird is on the nest (like happened to my bird) then you usually miss it until it is to late. It don't take very long. End of Rant. I saw another poster talking about cotton balls. RED FLAGS!!!! Better than a flat surface which is really not good for the birds knees and hip. Get a tree branch and put it in his cage. Get three or four different sizes. There needs to be some of different sizes so to help with the  parts I mentions and to help keep his claws wore down some. It exercises their feet.

Please never try to breed out of that bird. In the real world it would have died if it can't perch on round things. I actually find it pretty hard to believe that he has feet that small that he can't stand on a round perch. If they were that small he wouldn't be able to balance himself on any surface.

Answer 4

At the risk of a "chatting" violation - I have to tell you that this question just made me say awwwwww!!--- how cute-- "a special needs bird" - hope you find your answer.  I know a lady who had a bird who burned his feet and legs, she put dishes of cotton balls all over the house for his "soft" landings !  Good luck.

Answer 5

If the feet are small, get a smaller round perch.  Cockatiels are not humans, and their feet are made to grasp. He will not be comfortable on a flat perch.

But maybe you have a very special bird.  Here's how to find out what's best.  Go to a building supply store like Home Depot or Lowes.  Ask someone where the dowels are.  There you will find very nice sticks, round and square, in many sizes.  Pick a couple that look the right size.  

Put a few in the cage, and see which your bird uses most.  This option will be way quicker and cheaper than buying online, and you can be sure you are getting exactly what you need.

Answer 6

Poor birdie =/

Here's some links:

http://www.chopperstoys.com/CatalogPerch...

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/pr...

My favorite: http://www.sqwatters.com/purchasegoshopp...

Good Luck with your little guy!

Answer 7

you  can kill any mites  in a wooden flat perch  by  placing  it  in a 300 degree oven  for about 15 minutes.. just long enough  for  the wood  to get heated  through good.. this will kill anything  living  inside. Always  pretreat natural perches  this way  to assure  the birds  health..

Please  do not paint  a wooden  perch  with any type  of paint.. Birds  chew  on  their perches  and can shred  a wooden perch over time.. Any paint  you use  the bird  will end  up eating it, and  it could poison  the bird.

As  for   flat plastic  perches...

    Here  is a nice website  for perches  for   birds.  They offer a plastic shelf for your bird  to stand  on  instead  of  the traditional perch..

http://www.pet-supplies-online-store.com...

Answer 8

In my experience, birds love the kind Equestrian King posted.  I have one for my budgie with messed-up feet, and I put a paper towel over it for more comfort (I don't want any irritation on his... whatever you call a bird's leg joints... he always has to sit lower than most budgies), and I also had a budgie with normal feet who also had one of those platforms, and she loved it, too.