What are your thoughts on dowels? From what I have read, it is best to replace dowels with natural wood branches (properly treated, of course) such as manzanita or java wood.

This rule of thumb is suggesed for finches to macaws.

Do you use natural wood branches or dowels?

I don't like dowel perches, I think they're too slippery, and too 'even' of a grasp for the birds. They need variability for their feet.

That being said, Ollie and Dakota each have one dowel. Both are swings. Dakota's is in his cage all the time, and Ollie's maybe for a week every couple months.

yeah, thats right!! I use dowells!! So there!! hehe

I don't use dowels, the wooden perches I have in the fids cages are eucalyptus and wattle which have been baked in the oven for an hour just to kill off any nastys that may be living in the bark. The cages came with dowel when they were bought but I took it out.

I don't use dowels either. Many people told me to replace them and on top of that when my birds have other perches in their cages, they won't use their dowels, I think that should tell us something right there.

I prefer to use a variety of different perches, and as long as there is a variety of types, don't see why dowels can't be included in the mix. I would never have *only* dowel perches for them. Their feet need exercise as much as any of their muscles!

I use both... I agree variety is key.

I have dowel, natural, rope and mineral perches.

Did you vote sweetie?

None of my birds have dowel perches in their cages (well Jerry's swing might be considered a dowel, but he plays on the swing and doesn't sit on it for long periods of time).

I have no doubt that Winston has stood on dowel perches his entire life, and his feet are very weak still. He cannot grasp very hard and sometimes he's unsteady on his feet - and being flighted has immensely helped his unsteadiness, if he were clipped I think he would have had quite a few falls by now. Whenever he's unsteady he uses his wings to steady himself. And occasionally the shorter back toe bends towards the front of the perch when he lands. He does not appear to be in any discomfort though (and this also makes me wonder if he is more than 1 year old..). He now has a variety of perches available in order to strengthen his little footsies more.