Are rope perches dangerous??

[toCoolforSchool2009]

Well i put some rope perches in my cage with some rope i have in my house..

But now im hearing that it might be dangerous to my bird in case she eats it,

and

is there a specific type of rope i have to use because i dont know what type of rope that is...


Thanks o_0


This is a picture of the rope perches in the cage

[di_dee1]

I believe they are, yes, along with the bunches of threads you find on toys. They can be ingested and can cause death if they become impacted into a mass. Also fraying can cause toes to catch in them and injury. There are many things that are dangerous to our fids. We have to evaluate them, their habits (eg chewing) and make an informed decision whether to use things or not.

[Mythara]

I believe it really depends on the bird for the perches - if your bird doesn't chew on them then they're okay, just watch them for wear and fraying to make sure there's nothing to tangle their feet. None of my birds have any interest in chewing on rope, so they have a couple of rope perches in each cage. As di says, definitely keep an eye on any rope on toys. I trimmed off some ends on one of my birds new toys last night, because I felt it was too long, and liable to catch toes if they climbed on it.

[HollyTiel]

Two problems w/ rope perches:
1. Some birds chew it & some materials can impact.
2. Some threads are too strong & if a toe gets caught the bird gets stuck.

Homemade rope perches can be safely made out of untreated/all natural Sisal. Sisal is supposed to be digestible.... & it breaks easy so no toe catching.

A good 100% cotton rope like "superior cotton" from a bird toy supply website would be safe for toes because it has short fibers/weak threads that won't catch toes. Cotton is better for birds that don't chew them.

Some people use dog rope toys for their birds to play on-- these need to be under strict supervision though (out of cage only) because the rope is MUCH too strong & if a toe gets caught it won't break & the bird will be stuck.

I have 2 store bought boings that I decided were made w/ a rope that was too strong. I won't put them in the cage because of it.

All future rope perches I buy or make will be sisial.

[Little Cricket]

Is that a bungee cord in the cage? That for sure isn't safe, as the outer material isn't even cotton, and you don't know what the inside core is made out of, plus the metal on the end is not safe.

If you get 100% cotton, that is okay. I usually just buy the pre-made rope perches, but only my birds that don't chew them have the rope ones in their cage. Like anything, you just have to watch your bird. No non-food item is safe for them to ingest in large amounts, but I believe with caution that proper rope perches are fine.

[toCoolforSchool2009]

Ya my bird loves chewing on the rope toys and my bracelets.... But she hasnt chewed on the perches or her feet havent gotten tangled in it....

i guess im goin to have to buy sisal and replace the cotton rope.... just to be safe

Thanks guys

[denisesfeathers]

Is that a bungee cord in the cage? That for sure isn't safe, as the outer material isn't even cotton, and you don't know what the inside core is made out of, plus the metal on the end is not safe.

I agree get that bungee cord out of there. the metal probably has zinc in it witch will kill your bird.

[BirdLuver09]

I bought this

http://www.theperchstore.net/funmaxcoro.html

to use to make toys for my birds, and happened to look over yesterday while in my daughters room and one of my budgies was just jerking his foot trying to break loose He was STUCK! and it is supposed to be 100% Safe!

for now on i'm sticking to the shoe strings i've been using, they don't come apart no matter how much they chew on them and they're cotton

only Rope perches I will ever use are these kind


http://www.theperchstore.net/borope.html

[Fruit Basket]

I cut the bunch of rope that is at the ends, off. So they don't get tangled on it. Other than that, by birds do not chew their rope perches.

[Limpyduckling]

Keep a close eye on the kind above Ive read where they are dangerous also