Square tubing harm feet ?

427HISS

New member
Jan 23, 2012
392
0
Nebraska
After reading something about our birds possibly getting arthritis in their feet later in life, do you think that square tubing, like what our play stand is made of, can create foot problems ?

Shelby rarely uses the 1-1/2" wood perch's that came with the stand and prefers standing on the very top, which is square steel, so we're concerned about her joints.

We bought her a heated perch for her play stand and she likes it so much that we're buying one for her stand as well. I'm going to make a bracket for the perch that will clamp on, because there made for a cage that has bars. I'll put it on the top where she spends most of her time.

So, what do you think of square tubing being hard on our birds joints ?
 

MaraWentz

Banned
Banned
Mar 27, 2012
1,023
Media
8
2
St.Leonard, MD
Parrots
Red Front Macaw, Elvis, 10,male RIP

Red Front Macaw, Erin, 1.5,female

Goffin Cockatoo, Blossom 2,female Rehomed

Blue & Gold Macaw, Oscar, Male, 21 years old, Rehomed

American Bulldog Mix,
Every parrot is different. My first RFM had a steel playstand and all the tubing was square- he had no problem. Erin has a real playstand from wood, so her branches are roundish. We let her use my Mommoms square tubing playstand for a few hours while we visited an her poor feet got sores and turned red- so the sqaure shape irritated her. Each bird is different- its just trial error.
 

weco

New member
Nov 24, 2010
3,342
12
USA
Parrots
Nanday, suns, parrotlet, Patagonian
One of the major problems with companion bird perches is that they are often just simple round dowels.....no lumps/rough texture to them, but I've never seen any square limbs on a tree, so can't really offer any info there.....but, you could get a 1" dowel and screw it to the top crossbar. It may be that Shelby prefers the square tubing top bar because it is the highest perch on the play stand.
 

khaiqha

New member
Sep 19, 2012
320
0
Lewisville, TX
Parrots
Alexandrine Ringneck,
about to be getting a Jardine's
I believe the average bird that gets adequate out of cage time exercises its feet enough to avoid any issues. Usually birds with problems are cage bound birds that have the same two perches their whole life.

So in essence, I don't think the square bars will be a problem as long as the bird isn't spending 4+ hours on it everyday without moving/doing something.
 
OP
427HISS

427HISS

New member
Jan 23, 2012
392
0
Nebraska
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #5
I agree. She has 5 different size's of perch's and two that the length of the perch varies is size, so hopefully she'll never encounter arthritis, unlike her Ma & Pa. lol
 
OP
427HISS

427HISS

New member
Jan 23, 2012
392
0
Nebraska
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #6
UPDATE-

Last night I brought Shelby over to the couch for our regular nights watching TV, help in preening her feathers and cuddle time. I noticed a few very small blood spots on the comforter blanket, then she looked at a toe and she FREAKED OUT,...shaking, checking the toe etc. Then after about 5 minutes, it was all over and she again was climbing all over her play stand, with no apparent pain and bleeding had stopped.

I have noticed the last couple of months that a few of her toe's had callus's from climbing on the square tubing and a few days ago one was a little red. I assume the callus had come off the bleeding started.

So, a few questions.

If I put any type save on the injury, she would either lick it off or would just wipe it off anyway. Should I just watch it and leave it alone ?

Take her to the avian vet ?

Should I take off the top of the play stand for a while so she can't climb up the tubing until it heals ? (it will just happen again anyway)

She spends a lot of time climbing up & down the stand and really likes sitting on the very top. Below is a pic of the Kings play stand. It's too bad they use square tubing and not round. I'm thinking about recreating the stand's "hoop" with round pipe, but I don't know what powder coating they use ? I do plan on calling them asking for their advise. I'm hoping they'll tell me who does their coating (if not themselves) so I know it's safe and to color match the rest of the stand.

I don't understand why they make the stands with square tubing in the first place, as round is more natural and easier on birds feet & toe's ?

I also thought of bolting some round wood perch's on the sides and top, so it would at least be wood rather than the square metal, but by using her claws and beak, I'm afraid of splinters etc. and would be a constant maintenance issue of sanding when rough and replacement of the wood. (the top would be fine, just the sides is the problem)

Any advise will be appreciated.
Kevin

ShelbysPlayStandKingsCages.png
 
Last edited:

weco

New member
Nov 24, 2010
3,342
12
USA
Parrots
Nanday, suns, parrotlet, Patagonian
I think I might invest in several rolls of vet tape & wrap your square tubing, wherever she likes to stand.....you'll need to replace the wrap as it gets worn/overly dirty.....

As to the calluses coming off, you can use Neosporin cream (not the ointment) & gently rub it in so there's nothing for her to lick off.....there are several members on the forum who would counsel against using creams of this type, but if you doubt the efficacy of its use, just give your avian vet a call to be sure.....

Good luck.....
 

forbey

New member
Apr 26, 2013
370
Media
3
0
As far as arthritis is concerned, I don't believe the problem is any one type of shape. I believe, like in the wild, that birds need a variety of sizes and shapes to grab on to to avoid being restricted to just one. Ropes, tubes, ladders, food, etc. of all shapes and sizes allows the foot to excercise all of the foot/leg musculature and helps keep joints moving and lubricated.

As for wearnig off pads, toe nails, calluses, etc. that has to be related to choosing materials that are not overly harsh on their feet.

Forbey
 

weco

New member
Nov 24, 2010
3,342
12
USA
Parrots
Nanday, suns, parrotlet, Patagonian
There are vendors on ebay, amazon & a plethora of other internet vendors......just search vet tape or vet wrap.....don't know if any of the big box pet stores carry it or not.....

When I need some, I just stop by my vet.....$1.50/roll.....it's cheaper online but if I don't want to wait.....
 
OP
427HISS

427HISS

New member
Jan 23, 2012
392
0
Nebraska
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #11
forbey- I agree about different sizes of perches etc. Her problem is the square tubing on her play stand.

weco- I did search a little on found several on Amazon & ebay so far.

Is this tape tough enough to handle her nails ?
 

MonicaMc

Well-known member
Sep 12, 2012
7,960
Media
2
43
Parrots
Mitred Conure - Charlie 1994;
Cockatiel - Casey 2001;
Wild Caught ARN - Sylphie 2013
You can find the vet wrap in pet stores and feed supply stores.

You can also wrap the metal in manila, cotton, sisal or poly rope.


Foot problems can be caused by a lack of proper footing and/or diet as well... so it may be worth a trip to the a-vet just to be on the safe side, unless she has checked out healthy otherwise? In which case, you can still discuss options with your a-vet?
 

Most Reactions

Latest posts

Top