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Pet Forum / Birds / Birds / February 2004exercise wheels and small birds
Hello, I read someplace on the net that an exercise wheel, properly placed, can be a great accessory for a budgie. It seems as though the little guy could get seriously hurt on one. Anybody try it? With what kind of success? Was it top-hung, bottom-hung, or what? Thanks, Dave > Hello, > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Dave I have never seen one, can't think of any way for it to hurt a bird right off the top of my head though. Birds do need exercise, but if they are getting plenty of play time this should not be a problem. On our last vet visit our vet asked about this with our Macaw because he had gained more weight, even though she said he felt very healthy and lean. She mentioned making sure the bird got regular exercise. We both started laughing. We told her he never stops. From the time we get up till he goes to bed he rarely just relaxes. he is forever climbing, running, playing and such. Now I suppose when they get older this must slow down, but even with the small birds as long as they have a good size cage, plenty of toys, and "out time" all the budgies I have ever seen got plenty of exercise.  Signature"A committee is a life form with six or more legs and no brain" [Lazarus Long] > Hello, > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Dave I have seen them and regarded them as simply a fad. They would break the tail feathers off any bird daft enough to use one :0) pianoharp wrote: > Hello, > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Dave I have seen them and regarded them as simply a fad. They would break the tail feathers off any bird daft enough to use one :0) Well, thanks, I am glad I checked. What with all the vast assortment of toys available, why take such a risk ... thanks for the response. I have one for my lovebird which anchors nicely to the side of his cage. He enjoys playing on it, runs spinning it around and around and sleeps in it at night. I can see how it would be awkward for a bird with longer tail feathers but that is something my lovebird does not have to worry about. > Hello, > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Dave I have one on the outside of my parrotlet's cage. The first time I introduced him to it, he looked at me like I was crazy. Now, he's content to hang out but is still nervous when it moves. You need to carefully examine the wheel for where little toes can get caught. I've heard a couple of stories where a little toe got caught where the wheel attaches to the cage. I have also seen photos of parrotlets running on their wheels...content and happy, so it's not such a daft idea. And, if you get a wheel large enough, there is no concern about tail feathers. ~Kimberlee : Hello, : [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] : : Dave I have noticed on the lists that lots of folks use these for their parrotlets. Anything with moving parts makes me nervous but so many people use them without incident that I'm probably just a fuddy-duddy worry wart :). Still, I probably won't ever use them, just to accomodate my own comfort level. Different folks have different ideas of "acceptable risk" for their own birds. :) Signatureowly http://www.ittybittybirdiebites.com - healthy natural treats for birds >>> We specialize in seed junkies! <<< *** FEBRUARY 2004 SPECIALS ARE UP! (Click on Specials)*** Over 2 dozen sprouting links! (Click on Sprouting Resources) Yummy nutrition in a shaker??? (Click on Beggie Birdie Bits©) >Got seed junkies? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/seedjunkies > I have one on the outside of my parrotlet's cage. > The first time I introduced him to it, he looked at me like I was crazy. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > And, if you get a wheel large enough, there is no concern about tail > feathers. Absolutely. And to me, so much depends on supervision, which is why Moki's wheel is outside his cage. I've heard too many horror stories of piñatas, wheels, etc., where an unsupervised bird got a foot caught and ended up chewing the foot off! Yikes! So totally under supervision for me and the fids who own me. ~Kimberlee : I have noticed on the lists that lots of folks use these for their : parrotlets. Anything with moving parts makes me nervous but so many people [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] : > And, if you get a wheel large enough, there is no concern about tail : > feathers. My budgies have a rat-sized exercise wheel and they love it. It sits on their window shelf, outside of the cage. Their tail feathers have never broken, and they have never been injured in any way (knock on wood). It's particularly hilarious when they climb up the framework, onto the top of it (balancing beautifully the whole way) and ride it down- on the outside. Suki uses it to launch himself into a "bombing run", buzzing my head while I'm at the desk ;-) -Kays > Hello, > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Dave How delightful! Moki's tried walking on the outside of the wheel, and got a bit nervous and scolded me <chuckle>. ~Kimberlee : My budgies have a rat-sized exercise wheel and they love it. It sits on : their window shelf, outside of the cage. Their tail feathers have never [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] : > : > Dave |
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