Java tree question - being slippery

[Dopey]

Hi All -
I have two new Java trees but they seem to be too slippery for my birds to enjoy. Has anyone else had that problem and if so...what did you do about it? I just need to know if sand paper is the best thing to use or a saw and cut in some steps. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[getwozzy]

You can wrap some of the branches with vet wrap, or use untreated sisal rope to wrap branches as well.

 

[Dopey]

You know I wondered about vet wrap. But I didn't even think about the sisal rope. Duh!!! Thanks! My one Zon doesn't like vet wrap so I will see what sisal rope does for him. Also the sisal is closer to the color of the branch. You are smart woman! Thanks!

 

[getwozzy]

If you still want to try vet wrap, but he's afraid of the bright colors- look for a nude/tan color to match the java wood. I would check out your local farm/feed store since both rope and wrap are cheap there

 

[Dopey]

You know - it could be the bright colors. He always chooses to sit on the white portion of the PVC play stand. I wonder if the barn is open today for me to go and see if they have neutral vet wrap? Guess I will be making that call soon.

 

[Dopey]

So I have to make a trip to the tack room today.
They have a couple of rolls left of the light tan. Yea!!

 

[getwozzy]

Lol sounds like he doesn't particularly care for the colored stuff

Yay!!! They have some- so awesome! You'll have to post pics when you're done

 

[Dopey]

I will - I may even put some on the PVC play stand and see if he moves around that some more.

 

[getwozzy]

Yah! Maybe just try re-wrapping the pvc "branches" that he frequents and see what happens

 

[Jayyj]

I just set about any sloping sections with a small saw, cutting little grooves a few mm apart so her nails would have something to catch on. She seems a lot more confident on java branches now she's used to them though.

 

[Kiwibird]

Kiwi had problems gripping anything but rope/pedi perches when we got him. I didn't think to do anything about it and just figured he'd get used to natural wood, as nature designed a parrot to live in trees, which are not always a sure-grip surface. Sure enough, he eventually found his sense of balance and his feet muscles got stronger and now he can climb around on any kind of perch with no issues. Even surprising slick and thin ones like the frame of his steel swing. I've never bought a single roll of vet wrap and Kiwi truly has about every type of perch out there between his cage, swing and play tree. He gets around in a most acrobatic way on all of them.

Barring medical issues like arthritis or injury, I think most birds just get weak feet from always having grippy surfaces to climb/sit on. I also think people stick within a narrow range of perch sizes based on species, when in reality, a parrot in nature would sit on everything from a very thin end of a branch to thick tree limbs. It's not just varied surfaces, it perches of many different sizes from very thin to very large that make healthy feet! I personally wouldn't do anything, except perhaps put some toys or treats out of reach to encourage your birds to walk on those surfaces and develop the skill to do so. It's what their feet are meant to do

 

[Kiwibird]

Would anyone like to talk to Kiwi about the need for vet wrap?

 

[Jayyj]

Kiwibird, that's an awesome photo! Alice can balance on some surprisingly small objects but that takes the biscuit! He's gorgeous as well.

 

[RavensGryf]

Good observation April that makes sense!

I personally don't care for the look of vet wrap.

 

[Kiwibird]

Kiwibird, that's an awesome photo! Alice can balance on some surprisingly small objects but that takes the biscuit! He's gorgeous as well.

Yup, he likes sitting on the top of that hook and doing his flashy "I'm a big bad bird" displays. Parrots feet may be ugly as all get out, but nature made them perfectly suited to climbing around on stuff! Alice sounds like quite the acrobat too They are amazing to watch! I certainly couldn't use my mouth to climb or hang off something by one foot while playing with something else!

 

[Jayyj]

Alice's favourite trick is to hang upside down from my little finger, screeching and flapping her wings... it's an odd little quirk but rather entertaining to watch!

 

[Dopey]

Kiwi had problems gripping anything but rope/pedi perches when we got him. I didn't think to do anything about it and just figured he'd get used to natural wood, as nature designed a parrot to live in trees, which are not always a sure-grip surface. Sure enough, he eventually found his sense of balance and his feet muscles got stronger and now he can climb around on any kind of perch with no issues. Even surprising slick and thin ones like the frame of his steel swing. I've never bought a single roll of vet wrap and Kiwi truly has about every type of perch out there between his cage, swing and play tree. He gets around in a most acrobatic way on all of them.

Barring medical issues like arthritis or injury, I think most birds just get weak feet from always having grippy surfaces to climb/sit on. I also think people stick within a narrow range of perch sizes based on species, when in reality, a parrot in nature would sit on everything from a very thin end of a branch to thick tree limbs. It's not just varied surfaces, it perches of many different sizes from very thin to very large that make healthy feet! I personally wouldn't do anything, except perhaps put some toys or treats out of reach to encourage your birds to walk on those surfaces and develop the skill to do so. It's what their feet are meant to do

Good point and well said. And they all cling to the cage bars.
I tried getting Jingle to go to the Java tree and he will have nothing to do with it. Not even a cracker can get him to put his foot down.
It's okay - I don't mind him being on me and I can get him to sit on the couch!

 

[Dopey]

I did get the vet wrap and it was cheap!! I'm going back when they get more in stock. Seems that vet wrap was needed for the horses in our area last week.

I haven't had a chance to use it yet. It was decided on Sunday that Christmas would be at my house this year. I have three cats, three birds, a dog, and fibromyalgia. That means a messy house. Cleaning and wrapping gifts was on the agenda...the vet wrap had to wait. Maybe this weekend but I feel like I'm going to be doing a lot of resting over the next few days.

 

[CYNToronto]

LOL this one caught my eye while I was about to post a new question.

"Java tree question" I thought he meant tree structure of Java programming; I was like, "what the f...?? Is there a correlation between Computer Science and bird ownership after all??" Haha

 

[Dopey]

Ok - I can see how that would catch and IT person's eye.