Allied Precision Birds - Popular Questions, Answers, Tips & Manuals

Suet cakes are great for winter feeding. They will provide birds with the necessary amount of fat to help keep them warm during the colder months. Making your own suet cakes does not have to be a daunting task. I have found you a few simple great recipes that you can use.

http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/projects/wildlife-gardening/how-to-make-fat-cakes-for-birds/34.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_2054002_make-suet-cakes-birds.html

http://birding.about.com/od/birdfeeders/a/simplesuet.htm

I recommend getting at least one medium-sized natural wood perch, one rope perch (again medium size), and one other type of perch - maybe a therapeutic perch or a second natural wood perch. Here are some good examples for your Parakeet.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00106TFJU?tag=allpetbirds-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B00106TFJU&adid=0NHYMRNQYM72AG285TXA&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.all-pet-birds.com%2Fparrot-perches-medium.html

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002AR77M?tag=allpetbirds-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B0002AR77M&adid=084B1Y3HYVZ1BAJ5DDEQ&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.all-pet-birds.com%2Fparrot-perches-medium.html

I found you a very informative video tutorial on making your own bird perches - I hope you find it helpful.

http://www.ehow.com/video_5361316_build-bird-perches.html

Yes, edible perches do exist, although they are fairly new. They are exactly what the name suggests - perches that your bird can chew and eat. They are a good way for your bird to obtain valuable nutrients into their diets.

Here a few examples of good quality edible bird perches:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11147444

http://www.perchfactory.com/bird_cage_perches/calcium_perches.htm

Heated perches are great for providing your bird with great circulation for their feet. They are highly recommended for exotic birds. Most heated perches are controlled using a thermostat and are most commonly made from a scratch and bite resistant non-toxic plastic.

Here are some examples of good quality heated bird perches:

http://www.birdsupplies.com/thermo-perch-heated-bird-perch/

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=10899

http://mybirdstore.com/PERCHES_AND_SWINGS-HEATED_PERCHES.html

The most popular types of bird ladders are made from either wood or plastic. There are a few other varieties of ladders that are highly recommended, including both formable and swing styles.

The links below will give you examples of the former styles.

http://www.perchfactory.com/bird_cage_ladders/formable_bird_cage_ladders.htm

http://www.perchfactory.com/bird_cage_ladders/swinging_bird_cage_ladders.htm

This is a type of perch for your bird cage that allows for some self-grooming. It is a great way to trim down your bird's nails. They often come in great space-saving styles such as corner perches and half sizes. Look into concrete-blended perches. In my opinion they are the best type of grooming perches. Here are a few examples -

http://www.perchfactory.com/bird_cage_perches/sandy_cement_perches.htm

http://www.avianenrichment.com/store/pc/Grooming-Perches-c133.htm

You should have a minimum of 3 perches - one for sleeping, and two others made of different materials and of varying sizes. This will give your bird enough variety without overcrowding the cage.

Manzanita perches are natural wood perches. I would highly recommend this type of bird perch. The uneven surfaces of the Manzanita perch mimic your bird's natural environment. They are also great for building strong feet and leg muscles.

Here are a few sites to look at in regards to Manzanita perches.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11147209

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=manzanita+perches

Perch diameter is an extremely important factor in relation to perch choice. It is crucial that you choose a perch that is the right size for your bird. Here is a sizing chart I came across to help educate you further on perch diameter. Your bird's foot should wrap around approximately 2/3 of the perch; their toes should never meet/overlap.

Bird size Perch Diameter

Extra small 1/2 an inch or less Small 1/2 an inch to 5/8 of an inch Medium 3/4 of an inch to 1 inch Large 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches Extra Large 2 inches to 2 1/2 inches