DIY pedi perch or sand perch... how to??

[Macawlover12]

I was curious if anyone knew how to make your own DIY sand or concrete perch. Interested in any info that can be provided!

 

[Macawlover12]

I found this tutorial on how to make one. Homemade Concrete Bird Perch | eHow I know that info on the web can be misleading or even dangerous. Do you think this would be safe to make? I know concrete is high in ph and you cant use it in fish tanks, unless its soaked over and over for weeks. I am just not sure what safety issues it could cause birds.

 

[Terry57]

I'm sorry but I have no idea I will bump this up again for you, though.

 

[MonicaMc]

I'm not a very big fan of concrete or sandy perches because they are rough all over and can cause foot sores. People also tend to put these perches up high, often ending up where the bird sleeps at night, which can further increase the chances of foot sores.

One perch I do like has a rough and smooth side. I have 7 birds, 4 cages (in use) and only 1 pedicure perch. Currently, that perch is the lowest perch being used within the cage, and it's located next to the food. The larger size may be ok for a macaw.


Sweet Feet & Beak Safety Pumice Perch Large - PEDICURE PERCHES by MY SAFE BIRD STORE

 

[Macawlover12]

I'm not a very big fan of concrete or sandy perches because they are rough all over and can cause foot sores. People also tend to put these perches up high, often ending up where the bird sleeps at night, which can further increase the chances of foot sores.

One perch I do like has a rough and smooth side. I have 7 birds, 4 cages (in use) and only 1 pedicure perch. Currently, that perch is the lowest perch being used within the cage, and it's located next to the food. The larger size may be ok for a macaw.


Sweet Feet & Beak Safety Pumice Perch Large - PEDICURE PERCHES by MY SAFE BIRD STORE

Thanks for the reply. Most of my perches are made from wood but I did want to put in concrete or sand perches every now and then to help with nail filing. If I don't figure out the possible health hazards (other than wear on the feet) I will end up just buying a couple.
I am just a huge DIY'ER. If I can make it, I prefer it. Mainly because I can customize the length, shape, and color for a very low price.
I will continue the search for info on this. If I find anything I will post it.

Thanks Terry for the bump

 

[Terry57]

I have multiple perches in their cages, including a concrete perch and a pedi perch in each cage. They have so many others they can choose instead, and some of the birds really love them.

 

[Macawlover12]

I have multiple perches in their cages, including a concrete perch and a pedi perch in each cage. They have so many others they can choose instead, and some of the birds really love them.

Terry, I also think that these perches serve to help manage birds nails and beaks. As with everything it is important to monitor your birds health and if something is hurting or causing agitation to your bird, you remove it. I do see where people are coming from, but it really comes down to paying attention to your birds health.

I decided that I will go ahead and make a bunch of them. I will do the soak and drain thing, that I have done for my aquarium. I am going to drill holes in the pvc and add marbles or something, so that when I take the pvc cast off, the perch will have pores all over it. Maybe on the last soak I will dye it with food coloring.

if anyone else has experience with this, please let me know. I wont be placing these in my cage for a couple months, so I have time to determine if there is a safety issue.

 

[getwozzy]

I'm definitely interested with how these will turn out!!

I would think as long as you make sure they're not gnawing on it and biting chunks off of them, then they'd be fine

 

[Sterling1113]

I agree that they can cause foot sores, and I definitely wouldn't use them as the ONLY type of perch, no way. But I don't think anybody here does that.
My conures have a concrete perch that sits in front of their water bowl in their cage, so it can wear at their toe nails and they like to wipe their beak on it after taking a drink. (They also have a water bottle on their stand, so it's not their only option for water.)
And my Ekkie has one in between both his food bowls, for the same purpose. Filing the nails and beak. All of the birds have other perches, wooden and rope, that they use for daytime perching and sleeping.
I'm really excited to see how yours come out, sounds like a ton of work!!

 

[Macawlover12]

Okay, I found out that you have to do the soak method, the same as the aquarium:
Place the perch inside a bucket of water. Soak the perch for about a month, changing the water daily. Cement has a high alkaline level that you need to bring down before you can safely introduce it to your bird.
I found that bit of info on the web. I am still going to make these perches but im going to wait until I make some cement coral to. I also need to buy some stainless steel screws.
It is a lot of work but I like crafting things and im super cheap lol

 

[MonicaMc]

Sterling, I guess you'd be amazed at the idiocy of some people then...


I was given a family of 4 cockatiels about 8+ years ago in a Ferret Cal Cage. Every single perch in that cage, except one, was rough.

Once in my home, they did not remain in that cage for very long! Had to do some cage swapping around, but I put them into a much larger cage where everyone had enough room to have their own space!


I don't think a cage should have more than one, max two, rough perches within the cage, and they should never be the highest perch in the cage.

 

[Sterling1113]

Oh no, Monica! That's awful! Some people just read/hear/are told that rough perches are good for nails and beaks(which are the parts that hurt us!) and don't think any further than that. What a shame. I hope their feet weren't hurting too terribly bad..
I agree entirely- one or two is good depending on the bird/cage size/etc but I'd never put it in a location that prompted it to be their "main" perch or sleeping perch.
Even when Yoshi was partial to perching on his rough perch throughout the day and sleeping on it I moved stuff around so he would sit on the rope perch instead.. I just couldn't imagine it was comfy.
Glad those cockatiels found you though, I bet they felt MUCH better after getting some help from you!!

 

[tlfisher]

I have multiple perches in their cages, including a concrete perch and a pedi perch in each cage. They have so many others they can choose instead, and some of the birds really love them.

I bet it feels good on itchy feet.

 

[MonicaMc]

Sterling, thankfully they were "ok". I mean, other than coming from a smoke filled home and smelling like an ash tray! I did feel pretty bad for these tiels though because I've known them before I got into birds, and known the owner as well. That was back when I didn't know much about caring for birds. I rehomed the two offspring (the pearl hen and the "pretty" male) and kept the original pair (whiteface hen, plucked male). The hen later passed due to health complications (liver), but I still have the male. After grieving for his mate, he has since paired up with another rehomed hen who was smitten with him when she first came here. (to say she was confused about his change of behavior is an understatement! lol)



Macawlover, sorry to have derailed your thread! Would love to see your project in pictures! Step by step! It sounds interesting, especially what you plan on doing with the marbles!

 

[Macawlover12]

Sterling, thankfully they were "ok". I mean, other than coming from a smoke filled home and smelling like an ash tray! I did feel pretty bad for these tiels though because I've known them before I got into birds, and known the owner as well. That was back when I didn't know much about caring for birds. I rehomed the two offspring (the pearl hen and the "pretty" male) and kept the original pair (whiteface hen, plucked male). The hen later passed due to health complications (liver), but I still have the male. After grieving for his mate, he has since paired up with another rehomed hen who was smitten with him when she first came here. (to say she was confused about his change of behavior is an understatement! lol)



Macawlover, sorry to have derailed your thread! Would love to see your project in pictures! Step by step! It sounds interesting, especially what you plan on doing with the marbles!

Don't worry about it. You are offering great advice to someone who may have thought to just have concrete perches. You are also keeping my post bumped up, which may get me the advice I was looking for to
I will be making some in a week or two. The marbles wont stay in the perch. I am just going to use them to make pores on it. I am hoping that works out:22:

 

[MonicaMc]

That's what I was thinking! And I guess you are welcome? lol



Not sure why, but I'm thinking that if you spiraled two, maybe three marble lines down the perch, that would make for an interesting perch... or maybe more "zig zag" like?


Stainless steel bolt for one end, so you can attach it to the side of the cage, and maybe a stainless steel eye hook for the other end, so you could attach toys to it? Heck, if you really wanted to, you could figure out a way to attach another bolt to the other side or something else so that a cup could be attached to the end of it for treats, foraging or whatever.


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