When I had my parrots they were kept outside in large cage in Florida's summer warm weather, however, when cold weather approached I would install my thermo perch. It was designed to keep the birds feet warm in cold weather. The thermostatic controlled perch radiated warmth in a range of 102 to 107 degrees with low voltage.
I was able to leave it on constantly without worrying about the birds chewing the cord which was outside the cage. And my parrots never got sore feet from using the perch. It was quite a nice invention that saved me from needing to bring the birds inside on cold days.
Have you ever used the thermo perch? Ever had any problems with it?
I bought one of the thermal perches shortly after I adopted my bird (it was winter, and I was looking for a way to keep him warm). He did use it for awhile, but then I noticed him always shifting around on it, as if he was trying to find a place with just the right temperature. So, I ended up buying a heat panel that's made to hang on the side of a bird's cage and used that for extra heat instead, and he quit using the perch altogether.
I have never heard of a heated perch and I wonder what it is made of. The best perches are made from hard wood. As jenb128 says there could be problems if a bird was not comfortable on a heated perch.
A bird can keep warm by fluffing up its feathers and squatting down on its feet, but of course any bird that comes from a tropical climate will need to have some form of heating in an outdoor aviary during the winter. A heated perch might be the answer for some birds, but I think keeping the general temperature at a comfortable level is also important for tropical birds housed outdoors.
I was living in South Florida, at the time and had a big outdoor cage for my two green amazon parrots, on loan from a friend who was reorganizing his cages and remodeling his house. Anyways, winter weather in Florida, can be very cold for tropical birds. These two could scream like bangee's and thus I could not bring them in my little house.
Their cage had several perches and they were very active birds. I had their cage located next to a shed so they could go in and out with whenever, they chose too.
The heated perch is called a "Thermo Perch," it is thermostatically controlled. It radiates warmth at an optimum temperature range of 102-107 degrees F. It can be left on continuously. the parrots loved sitting on it and never had any problems with it's performance.
As was said before, the best perches are wooden ones. If possible, get different sized perches and even natural ones - so long as you clean them. If they're small, you can even microwave them to get rid of some more of the bacteria xD
I'd also use rope perches if possible. All of these perches are chewable, but that's a good thing - chewing keeps your bird entertained and helps stave off boredom. And if you use natural perches, these perches/toys should come cheap
I've only kept birds indoors, so I don't need a thermal perch.
It is a good idea to give them a variety of different types of perches. Some of these are regular dowels, wood, rope and special perches to help keep their nails trimmed. Birds like variety, and it's good for their feet to sit on more than one kind of perch.
It seems your thermal perch worked well for you. For me, I wouldn't need one as the weather is pretty consistent. I would worry about burning his little feet as well, but I'm sure that's unfounded.
Birds need a large variety of perches. Their feet need to change position every once and a while or they run the risk of developing arthritis, sore feet or flat feet. Try to have a rope perch or otherwise padded perch where the bird feels comfortable sleeping or lounging. Maybe try a swing perch, so they can move so they please. A sandpaper perch is not recommended for sensitive feet, but it helps my lovebird keep his nails trimmed. Try some natural shaped perches, including just sticks from outside. Make sure the wood is safe to use, first. Avoid using the dowel perches that usually come with cages, they're alright to have just 1 but again, birds need variation.
I have some cute birds and i have built a big bird aviary for them and they enjoy it and it not so big so some time I put outside or some Time in door when summers and sun have a mood..
