perch size for Cape

[Ivy Mom]

What perch size should I get for Clara, my new Cape parrot?

Thanks!

[bethn]

Cathy, Most of Jazz's perches are 1" . His Wingdow seat came with a 1/2" perch, and he does fine with that , The playstands we made him ar 1" pvc.
He is happy pretty much on anything. We also have purchased several cholla or grapevine branches. They are very irregular in diameter. We mounted them in tiki torch stands and hung toys off them - he loves them as well.

Any idea when she is coming home?

[Pepper's Pa]

Variety is the best for healthy feet and legs. Provide some perches that are thinner and some that are thicker so that there are different pressure (contact) points used by your Cape's feet and the muscles are exercised differently on different sized perches. I would recommend most perches used be in the 3/4 to 2-inch diameter size.

The roosting or sleeping perch should be just over an inch in diameter, but since there is some variation in bird sizes this needs to be determined by the actual size of your Cape.

In addition to size, provide perches of different materials, including natural wood branches, rope perches and some hard, grooming perches.

I hope this is of some help.

[maggy]

Hi Ivy Mom, I read an article in Birdtalk where they suggested your birds foot should go three quarters of the way round a perch, especially one they sleep on, it is a good idea to mix it up a bit and provide some that are a bit bigger and a bit smaller than ideal. This is so the feets get exersize and don't get arthritis. It's also good if possible to have natural (tree branch) perches because they vary in diameter all along the perch, then the bird can choose for itself what feels comfy. It's also good to have different sorts of materials, eg., rope one smooth dowel one, natural "barky" one and maybe a toenail trimming one (I don't like them..Dusty seems to get sore feet if I provide these).

[Ivy Mom]

Thanks everyone!
I have some perches that I can use already then. I rotate various perches for my tiel and conure that Clara can use - mostly 5/8 & 3/4 so will get some larger ones. I have manzanita (sandblasted), rope perches, flagstone perches, bottlebrush, etc. :)

Beth - Miss Clara is still on her breakfast and late night feeding but probably will quit the breakfast one soon. She has not flown yet. She is the baby in the clutch. So I am guessing it will be another month at least.....

Didn't Jazz take 5 months or so?

[bethn]

Jazz's DOH was 12/5/07 we got him thr first week of May. He was a lazy little bugger, did'nt want to give up that last feeding for love nor money. He was sitll having "comfort feedings of his weaning food for several weeks after we got him as well. Maggie is (as .you know) very careful with her chicks. I have seen (read of) other capes that have been fully weaned and adopted at 3-4 mos. I still think it was worth the wait, I know Clara will surpass all your wildest expectations

[Ivy Mom]

I've been thrilled with Maggie and her care of the babies. I think it is very important to treat each baby individually, letting them set the pace. And Maggie does that.

She has been so helpful.
I ordered a Featherland cage through a local parrot rescue group and a King's aluminum travel/sleep cage at a great price plus helping the rescue.

Hope to get to a parrot mart at the end of August in Charlotte :)