FINCHforum

Hello Again: While reading through the newbie questions, I saw something about solid perches. I purchased the twisted rope perches which are somewhat flexible. To me they looked comfortable and easy to grasp. But ... I don't have a wealth of knowledge about these Gouldians I love so much. Are wooden perches better for them? Thanks again - you folks are always gracious and helpful and it's appreciated.

I've always used wooden perches for my finches. I've read somewhere that it is better to use stable/non moving perches than flexible (like swings) ones since it will affect their tail feathers. But if your rope perch is somewhat stable I think they will be ok.

Gouldian lover I would put in one of each.

I use nature branches from the yard with different dimensions which is good for their feet. Also drape grapevines and they absolutely love bouncing and swinging on them. I don't see how a flexible perch would be bad for them, after all in nature they hang on thin branches and tall grass all the time.

Sorry for the confusion about flexible perches. What I meant/read was that if there was only one perch, it should be stable not flexible. Constant movement can affect their muscles according to the book They should have a stable perch to rest on. (I think it was a book on pet birds in general not finches in particular).

Hello: Thank you for all the wonderful info. I do have a magnolia tree outside and I'm going out right now to get them a few branches to enjoy. My finches are grateful (and so am I). So obvious but I missed it!

From what I've seen, it is best to offer a variety of perches for finches. They need different sizes, shapes, and textures. Because finches love to hang on a blade of grass or a small branch in nature, the moving branches are good for them.

I've gotten the natural branches from the pet store, but I've been scared to use branches from my yard in fear of bugs or disease.