Be careful when selecting wood perches

[Sierra_N_Fids]

Daisy My Caique Rubs her head on things often and not thinking about this, i put this perch in her cage that has siemi peely wood. I think she rubbed her head on the perch and piece of wood got lodged under her eye ring.

This morning when i took her out i could see something brown up at the top of the eye and she was having a hard time keeping the eye open. Later on i was holding her and a flat piece of wood came out of her eye. We did another eye wash and it looks better, i am going to continue with the eye washes until i can see a vet on Monday, if need be.

I am shocked that this happened and just wanted to warn other owners not to use perches with wood that splints off easily. I am so thankful she was not blinded. Trouble really does find caiques! ( I am sorry if you are seeing this on more than one bird forum, but i wanted to make bird owners aware as i think this is pretty important.)

 

[Mrcrowley]

thank you for posting this I just made play station for my Conures and I checked doubled check if wood was safe for them . BUT even if wood is safe you have to make sure no splinters of wood are showing .

 

[Greycloud]

Wow! How scary! Just goes to show anything can be dangerous! I hope she is OK and continues to heal. Glad you are taking her to the vets.

 

[Ming-Ming]

WOW SCARY!
Glad she is okay, and i Hope she continues to get better!

What kind of wood is it??? Maybe a picture??

 

[DQTimnehs]

Oh, so sorry that happened to her! Thanks for posting!

 

[ncGreyBirdLady]

Thank You for the warning Erin-My Cakes also Love to rub on perch's,so I will be extra careful

 

[Lauren]

Thank you for posting this!!

Skittles just went through a swollen eye and the fact that your caique had a piece of wood near/in it makes my heart stop <3

I know she'll make a full recovery!!!

 

[65sunnyday]

Thank you so much for posting this Erin--I'm sure Daisy will make a complete recovery--maybe ask the vet for an antibiotic just in case. Please keep us updated

 

[Mizzely]

Wow that is scary, especially because I purposely purchase grapevine with the bark still on it so that Jingo can destroy it. Hope Daisy heals up quickly!

 

[Sierra_N_Fids]

I just brought the perch upstairs to take a pic but my camera is dead ugh, I will have to try to get a pic later. I am not sure but i think might be apple wood, for the most part when the wood peeled off it came off smooth, but i know this has to be the perch because the other wood one in her cage is not same color and everything else is colored wood, that is light in color.

 

[Sierra_N_Fids]

Oh BTW Daisy Jane's eye looks good, by night time tonight it looked totally normal. Thank God eyes heal quickly!

 

[Somebirdie]

Very interesting warning. Sorry it happened, but glad she's okay!

 

[~birdybea~]

Glad her eye healed nice and quickly! I think this is a classic case of weighing risk versus benefit for everyone's individual situation. Branches that still have the bark on are highly enriching for birds to chew on, and the rougher surface is good for keeping nails worn down. This is the first instance i've heard of a bird getting a piece of bark in their eye. So for me, given the large benefit and small risk, i'd keep offering wood with bark on. Something for everyone to decide for themselves of course!

 

[Sierra_N_Fids]

Yes, i agree it is all in your birds playing style. The perch was used by my Amazon and looked new until Daisy used it for a week. The wood perch that i offered to my Amazon was safe for her, but for my Caique she rubs her head and body things, so for a safer alternative i will offer toys that are hanging so she can still peel wood. I have never seen her rub on a hanging toy unless it's soft. With Caique's you really have to watch them and take preventive measures because they just have strange things happen.

 

[WeasleyLover]

I'm so glad she's okay!