manzanita perch ?

ac12 · Post by **ac12** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:50 pm

I was watching my finches, and it seems that the manzanita perch is too smooth.
- They seem to have a difficult time getting a good grasp on it. Their nails can't dig into anything since the surface is hard and smooth.
- Sometimes they land on the branch with their momentum causing them to almost rotate around the perch, doing a 180 like a gymnast on a high bar.
- Because the manzanita surface is hard and smooth, will this let their nails grow, rather than wearing it down.

On the plus side, the smooth surface makes it easy to clean.

My other perch is a maple branch that has a rough surface, and that is the lower perch on the opposite side of the cage.

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:23 pm

The natural perches are the best I think for that reason.Try to have different diameters and these are free

hilljack13 · Post by **hilljack13** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 7:48 pm

I use both natural and manzanita perches. I have ones that are about half inch at the screw to about 1/4 at the end. It is funny sometimes to see them slide down one part of the perch. There is no need to worry about their nails if they have other ways of keeping them trimmed like gravel paper for the bottom. I like to use the wire bottoms in my cage so I just cut a piece of gravel paper for them to use.

ac12 · Post by **ac12** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 12:27 am

hilljack
You mean the finches know to use the gravel paper to wear down their nails?

franny · Post by **franny** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:05 pm

I don't think the gravel paper is so good, personally. They will avoid hopping around on the bottom of the cage as it is also hard on their feet in my opinion. Can you replace your manzinita perch with a cement perch?

ac12 · Post by **ac12** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:20 pm

Fran
Not in my current setup.
The manazinta is going front to back in front of the nest.
The front has wire mesh, but the back is a solid piece of coroplast, not wire.
I have to look for how I might put a sand perch in that cage. Unlike the stiff wire on a wire bird cage, the wire mesh is not stiff, it flexes somewhat easily. A perch on the wire mesh has to be supported on both ends.
Or maybe just replace the manzanita perch with a larger diameter perch with a rough surface.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:34 pm

I've noticed this too. Since Gouldians are private and usually breed in the nest, having slippery perches isn't an issue of them needing a tight grip. On the other hand, for other species that just breed out in the open, it's important that the hen can get a tight grip on the perch.
I'm going to sand down the tops of my manzanita perches not just for grippage, but for comfort.

ac12 · Post by **ac12** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:59 pm

What I like about the manzanita is the slick surface is easy to clean, just wipe with a damp paper towel.

Wood dowels I sand w #50, #100, and #150 (depending on how bad the poop is) to clean the poop off. The finer sandpaper is primarily to get rid of any splinters from the #50 sandpaper.

Natural branches....I dunno how to clean them.
Just with a plastic bristle brush and water?

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 8:49 pm

If they get to hard to clean the natural branchs just throw away and put in new ones there free

ac12 · Post by **ac12** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 12:06 am

Anyone know if California Live Oak is OK for birds?
I've seen conflicting comments about Oak being OK or not.
I have 2 oaks in the yard, so I can get the larger branches.
My maple only gave me smaller branches when I pruned it.

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:13 am

Here is a link for plants safe or not safe
http://www.budgieplace.com/bw_plants.html
http://www.plannedparrothood.com/plants.html

darrell · Post by **darrell** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 10:53 am

All I use are white oak branches.A wire brush cleans them easily.