Insight sand perches?

[Merkuri]

I bought a couple of these for my new budgie (which hasn't come home yet) before I realized what they were. I have read before that sandpaper perches were bad for a budgie's feet, though some types of "rough" perches are good for the budgie's nails. Does anyone here use the Insight sand perches? Have your birds ever had any feet trouble? Are these the good kind of nail-care perches, or should I return them? I bought the perches because they weren't completely cylindrical (provides many perching diameters) before realizing they were covered in sand.

[Tiki]

From what I have read, these are very irritating to a bird's feet. I wouldn't use them myself. I use natural tree branches from my backyard as I can be sure they have not been sprayed with pesticide, this is what birds would choose to perch on in the wild. They wouldn't choose to perch on sandpaper.

[Skyebirdsmom]

In my opinion, and according to my avian vet, the only good grooming perches are the Sandy Perches. They are manzanita core bonded to tumbled river sand. It's not irritating and is safer for them than those concrete perches. Yes because they are manzanita, they are all different diameters which is better for their feet too.
Linda & HRC~ :eusa_clap So I'd either exchange yours for Sandy Perches or get your money back. [/color]

[Adi]

Could you tell me why the concrete aren't safe? That's what I've been using for my lovebird and I haven't had any problems. I always thought that the Sandy Perches would be a little too abrasive since they are sand. I've been wanting to try them for a while though since i like their shape.

[Merkuri]

Okay, I'll return them. I would've never bought them if I had noticed they had sand attached. I took one of them out of the package and scraped my finger on it. If it's uncomfortable for me to hold it then I don't want my bird to be sitting on it.

If I don't find any other non-cylindrical perches at the pet store I'll grab some branches from my parents' backyard (I live in an apartment complex and don't want to use their trees). I'd rather pay to get the bird's toenails cut every once and a while than risk hurting their feet.

[The Outlaw]

I'd keep them. I have wooden, rope, sand and cement perches in every single cage. I want my birds to be able to have a variety of perches to use. I also recommend that some be larger and if you can find them, also try to get one with a flat side. There used to be a vendor on Ebay who made perches that were round about 1/2 of the way and flat on the other side. It allows the bird different ways to relax and excercise their feet.

THE OUTLAW

[Merkuri]

Well, I just got back from returning them. I bought some manzanita branches instead. I just don't feel comfortable encouraging my bird to perch on something like that. So now I have a bunch of the perches that came with my cage, a couple of "natural" branch perches, a swing, a rope perch, and a ladder. That oughta be enough perch-variety to keep the little guy happy. You think? :icon_wink

[willowbirdy218]

Sorry I'm a little late...I have one for my lovebird. Never noticed a problem. But, I also keep a variety of perches and he's very active so he doesn't sit still very long and isn't on one perch for any long period of time.

[ShadowMice]

I've been reading all of the replies to your question about perches for birds' feet. Have you ever considered clipping your bird's nails yourself? That way you don't subject your bird to perches that may unknowingly hurt it's feet.
When you take your bird to the vet's office ask him/her to show you how to clip it's nails. I'm sure your vet would be happy to show you. Also a lot of pet stores that don't actually sell animals, offer to clip your bird's nails for a small charge or no charge. Because they don't sell birds it would be safe to bring your bird there and again I'm sure they would show you how to do it. They usually have a sign in their store window advertising that they will clip your bird's nails. It's a good way to get people in their store so that they can see the products they're selling. You should look into it.

[mamalovesrico]

I've read in this post and in others about people using tree branches from their back yard. I would really like to do this but am a little nervous about bringing in lice or mites from wild birds or termites or anything else. Do you guys treat them? If so what and how do you do it?