Bird walking flat and bath time

I haven't been able to find much info about this online so hopefully someone may have some info for me.
I am pondering the idea of creating a flat surfaces perch to put inside of my caiques cage. He enjoys playing with most toys on flat surfaces for some reason and looks like he can scratch himself easily also because he doesn't have to worry about keeping balance. I understand birds feet are like they are to grip onto things like branches though the main question is... is it safe for their feet to be flat often, any strain or defects when on flat surfaces? Is this a bad idea? I was going to use some flat wood from Lowes and put some screws and washers in the edge to attach to the cage.

Other question...
I've seen those hook on bird bath things for cages and my Meeko loves taking baths and often gets kinda smelly, but not bad, just normal. I feel like he would really take advantage of the bird bath and over use it.
So is there such thing as too many baths, could it mess with his skin? I would be sure to change the water and maybe only make it available maybe once or twice a week if so, or just not get it at all if it is a problem.
Also same thing with the shower perches with the suction cups, could that be dangerous with water temperatures? Even if the water is slightly warm it steams up the bathroom and could that mess with him?

Sorry for all the questions, I really want my caique to have the life he deserves, he grew up in a bad place.
Thank you very much!

(Also if anyone knows some fun cheapish and safe large hanging toys that would hang from a stand, please let me know! I got Meeko a stand to hang them on for Christmas and would like to get more... if not, that's no problem! I have fun looking anyway )

-Holly and Meeko
@the_meekmeister

I doubt it'll hurt the feet to be flat now and then. Wild parrots walk and scramble around... Too many baths? Not if it's warm and the bird dries out in between, I'd figure. Toys and stuff? Check out "My Safe Bird Store" online.

Good for you for wanting to learn, in order to take the best care possible of your darling.

Flat surfaces, as stated above, are generally not an issue as long as it is not your healthy Parrots Roosting Perch! Roosting Perches should be Natural Wood Branch Perches sizes so that a bit more than half the diameter of the Perch is used by the Parrots foot to rest on. This assures proper pressure on the bottom pads of the Parrot's foot. Never use dowel or metal perches.

The flat surface should be place in the mid to lower area of the cage with the roosting perch located in the upper area of the cage. Take care that your Parrot does not use the large flat surfaces as a roosting perch.

Target Finish Grade White (sometimes referred to as Yellow) Pine for this project.

SailBoat said:

Target Finish Grade White (sometimes referred to as Yellow) Pine for this project.

Click to expand...

Out of curiosity, what about paint grade plywood for a surface? You can usualyl find it at place like Home Depot pretty cheap. (In case wood joinery is not in your repertoire). You can usually buy it in small squares of 2' x 2' sizes or larger full sheets if you need.

It's basically plywood with a veneer of well sanded wood on it that you can paint. Usually something like pine or oak.

Any reasons not to use that?

Plywood = glue = poison!

If you have access to a drill, you can make a really neat perch out of stone, a flat piece!

JBassset said:

SailBoat said:

Target Finish Grade White (sometimes referred to as Yellow) Pine for this project.

Click to expand...

Out of curiosity, what about paint grade plywood for a surface? You can usualyl find it at place like Home Depot pretty cheap. (In case wood joinery is not in your repertoire). You can usually buy it in small squares of 2' x 2' sizes or larger full sheets if you need.

It's basically plywood with a veneer of well sanded wood on it that you can paint. Usually something like pine or oak.

Any reasons not to use that?

Click to expand...

Flboy said:

Plywood = glue = poison!

Click to expand...

Yup! But just to really confuse the issue, some glues are and some are not! The problem is being able to know the difference.

Also, a 2' x 2' plywood piece would be overly large for the interior of most cages /Parrots. The other problem is the need to screw into the side (end). The ply's become strength problem. In furniture applications the ends are commonly glue points as part of assembly.

Love paint grade plywood most of my projects.

Flboy said:

If you have access to a drill, you can make a really neat perch out of stone, a flat piece!

Click to expand...

Are you using a 'Concrete' drill bit? With the exception of hitting a stone when drilling into concrete, never targeted drilling stone. Seen the flat stone perches and in fact, we have one.

Is there a type of stone that works better, like a shale or would the thin layers break-up?

You could also get a piece of wood molding with curves on it if you want something not totally flat, like rounded ridges running along it. Usually these are solid pine and maybe would give some variety to the feet while still providing a flat toy surface.

Softer stone can often be carved by hand. Or use a piece of terra cotta tile, it's easily shaped with a wood rasp and could be easily traded out for clean one.

SailBoat said:

Flat surfaces, as stated above, are generally not an issue as long as it is not your healthy Parrots Roosting Perch! Roosting Perches should be Natural Wood Branch Perches sizes so that a bit more than half the diameter of the Perch is used by the Parrots foot to rest on. This assures proper pressure on the bottom pads of the Parrot's foot. Never use dowel or metal perches.

The flat surface should be place in the mid to lower area of the cage with the roosting perch located in the upper area of the cage. Take care that your Parrot does not use the large flat surfaces as a roosting perch.

Target Finish Grade White (sometimes referred to as Yellow) Pine for this project.

Click to expand...

Don't worry I only use branch type perches for those reasons, well and he likes tearing at them. I was going to put the flat perch above but I will put it below his roosting perch, probably in the middle. Also thank you for the wood suggestion, wasn't really sure before and I trust that you know it is safe. Thank you very much for all of your help!

Kentuckienne said:

You could also get a piece of wood molding with curves on it if you want something not totally flat, like rounded ridges running along it. Usually these are solid pine and maybe would give some variety to the feet while still providing a flat toy surface.

Softer stone can often be carved by hand. Or use a piece of terra cotta tile, it's easily shaped with a wood rasp and could be easily traded out for clean one.

Click to expand...

Wood molding is an awesome idea, he will probably enjoy picking at that also. I will probably do that, and I've never heard of using terra cotta tile, I may already have some, if I do I will try that also.
Thank you!

SailBoat said:

Flboy said:

If you have access to a drill, you can make a really neat perch out of stone, a flat piece!

Click to expand...

Are you using a 'Concrete' drill bit? With the exception of hitting a stone when drilling into concrete, never targeted drilling stone. Seen the flat stone perches and in fact, we have one.

Is there a type of stone that works better, like a shale or would the thin layers break-up?

Click to expand...

Where could I find a flat stone perch? If I could just buy one that would be nice lol Though I can put in the work.

GaleriaGila said:

I doubt it'll hurt the feet to be flat now and then. Wild parrots walk and scramble around... Too many baths? Not if it's warm and the bird dries out in between, I'd figure. Toys and stuff? Check out "My Safe Bird Store" online.

Good for you for wanting to learn, in order to take the best care possible of your darling.

Click to expand...

I also thought that wild parrots also have flat feet now and then, and thank you I will probably get a bathing attachment also! I'll check out that store also!
Thanks a bunch

JBassset said:

SailBoat said:

Target Finish Grade White (sometimes referred to as Yellow) Pine for this project.

Click to expand...

Out of curiosity, what about paint grade plywood for a surface? You can usualyl find it at place like Home Depot pretty cheap. (In case wood joinery is not in your repertoire). You can usually buy it in small squares of 2' x 2' sizes or larger full sheets if you need.

It's basically plywood with a veneer of well sanded wood on it that you can paint. Usually something like pine or oak.

Any reasons not to use that?

Click to expand...

Thank you for all the questions, they really are helping me! Though I just found this.. Flat Perch Wood Corner Platform Cage Shelf By Prevue Pet Large [20401101020] - $8.00 : The best selection of bird food bird cages and toys for macaw parrots, cockatiels, budgies and all pet birds, We speak bird @ Windy City Parrot . Though I feel like my bird is immediately going to tear it up, I'll probably find a way to make them much easier, and probably cheaper.
Thanks again!

Meekmeister said:

Where could I find a flat stone perch? If I could just buy one that would be nice lol Though I can put in the work.

Click to expand...

Here are a couple places,
https://birdontherocks.com/index.php/component/virtuemart/perches?Itemid=7

Perch Factory | Corner Bird Shelf Perch - Parrot Platform Perches

Google search flat perches.

SailBoat said:

Flboy said:

If you have access to a drill, you can make a really neat perch out of stone, a flat piece!

Click to expand...

Are you using a 'Concrete' drill bit? With the exception of hitting a stone when drilling into concrete, never targeted drilling stone. Seen the flat stone perches and in fact, we have one.

Is there a type of stone that works better, like a shale or would the thin layers break-up?

Click to expand...

Yes, concrete drill bit. Almost any flagstone can be drilled. Shale may work, slate for sure!
Kentuckienne's idea of using terra cotta tile is great! Very easy to drill and cut! And unlike other floor tile, is thicker!

Lowes carries a full assortment of SS studs.

Flboy said:

Meekmeister said:

Where could I find a flat stone perch? If I could just buy one that would be nice lol Though I can put in the work.

Click to expand...

Here are a couple places,
https://birdontherocks.com/index.php/component/virtuemart/perches?Itemid=7

Perch Factory | Corner Bird Shelf Perch - Parrot Platform Perches

Google search flat perches.

Click to expand...

Very cool, thank you!