Rough surface, should I worry?

[Clearskybudgies11]

The stairwell has a ledge that they love to sit on, but the surface is very rough, and I'm afraid that when they land on it they will scratch their feet. My fear is that they will scratch their feet and bleed to death while I'm in my room, or somewhere else (My room is just down the hall, I never leave them out without me being near)

[Hezz]

I am sure they will be fine. They don't have someone going around the bush sanding down perches for them. I think they are smart enough to not sit there if it were terribly uncomfortable.

[Clearskybudgies11]

Okay, thank you

[Shirls]

Clearskybudgies11 can you not put something on the ledge to smooth it down, a long piece of wood or something less harmful to their feet?

[Clearskybudgies11]

Does it have to be apple tree wood? I'm thinking of making long perch for them and putting it on the ledge, but i'm not sure how i'll get it to stay. They don't like it if I put a plank there, and its where they get a lot of their vitamin D from the sun, so its quite important for them to be there

[Shirls]

Apple tree wood is good, so is willow and there are quite a few others that are suitable, I believe there is a list on here somewhere of suitable woods. I will have a look and see if I can find the link about suitable wood for budgies and let you know Clearskybudgies11. (Rather a long name there!!!) You could make a perch and force it tight into the gap so it doesn't move.

However, you say that the budgies get their Vit D there - is the window closed? If it is, they won't be getting the Vit D through the glass unfortunately. If however you have a net screen or something over the open window they would get Vit D through that - I think!!

[Hezz]

I think you are making work for yourself, honestly. If they sit there a lot, I would be more inclined to put paper down of some sort. This would give them a smoother surface and make for easier cleaning.

And Shirls is correct; UVB rays do not pass through anything, be it glass, perspex, plastic or whatever.

[Clearskybudgies11]

Okay, thank you. I'm terrible at thinking of usernames, I didn't think it was too long. Is it in anyway possible to change my username? I probably won't be able to put a perch there, but i'll definitely try. If I can't I will put paper down, and hope they won't manage to rip it up! I have a rough perch that is supposed to 'sand down' their nails to keep them from being too long. Its not working, any ideas for something else that will keep their nails from being too long? Will I have to cut their nails, and if I do, when should I? Sorry about so many questions, i'll try to ask less next time !

[Hezz]

With natural branch perches of differing thicknesses and textures as in some smooth, some rough, you shouldn't need to do anything about their claws. Don't use plastic or pieces of dowel. Whatever you do, don't revert to using sand sheets or perches; these really are very bad for budgies' feet. You shouldn't have to clip their claws - what may look too long to you is not necessarily too long for them. If they are able to walk around on a flat surface without the length of the claws lifting the tip of their toes off the surface then the claws are good. But do take into account the odd dodgy toe or claw that many budgies have ....... these don't count.

[Clearskybudgies11]

Okay, thanks so much! I will post a picture of the perch as soon as I can.

[Shirls]

Jan 8, 2015 23:37:31 GMT Clearskybudgies11 said:

Okay, thanks so much! I will post a picture of the perch as soon as I can.

AND the budgies??? Please?

[Clearskybudgies11]

Jan 9, 2015 16:22:24 GMT Shirls said:

Jan 8, 2015 23:37:31 GMT Clearskybudgies11 said:

Okay, thanks so much! I will post a picture of the perch as soon as I can.

AND the budgies??? Please?

I will!