Aussie Finch Forum

What is the best sized dowell for a selection of both foreign and Australian finches?.

Their won't be a best size. I used 12 and 9mm. But its best to have all different sized perches. some here will not like dowel, only natural perches.

I use natural bamboo perches from my garden.It varies one end to the other allowing the feet to exercise.And best of all its free and last a long time.

I prune the Mulberry and cape lilac trees and put a selection of sizes from small finger to wrist size in. In nature they hop arround differant size branches. And like Gomer says they are free and cleaning is a sinch, you just prune again and burn the old ones.
LML

I use 6mm up 19mm (sometimes much larger) in tree branches...could do same for dowells too.... more excercise for their feet......use vertical ones also...reedy grasses etc

Just cut a section of tree with the mixed sizes and put in so the longest goes accross where you want and the others go wherever. The birds as VR said then go up, down and across as in nature. Just did mine and the cuban was doing exactly that, as if making his way up and across a tree.
LML

I use natural branches too. I mostly cut eucalypt branches or saplings, strip the leaves, cut back to twigs & just prop each branch almost vertically into each of 3 corners of each breeding aviary. This way you get a variety of diameter & texture + force the birds to use the full width & length of the aviary for flight.

Thankyou for your replies.I have cut She Oak branches for perches and some dowell.