Simple Spiral Staircase

Submitted by: Jane Sepulveda - janes1@juno.com - April 4, 1997
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
We make a spiral staircase around a 3" diameter PVC base (Upright.) We drill holes and attach wooden branches with hardware - usually bolts and wing nuts.

T-Stand for Under $10

Submitted by: Jim Zablotny - zablotn1@pilot.msu.edu - December, 1996
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
To everyone that responded to my inquiries about building a T-stand for training, I thank all of you for your help. I built a very sturdy one for less than $10.00. I bought a galvinized three foot pipe (1 inch in diameter) that is threaded on both ends. I bought a threaded base footing and attached this to a 26 x 18 inch piece of 3/4 inch plywood. The pipe screws into the base and provides an extremely sturdy foundation. On the tip of the pipe I screwed on a metal 1 inch T fitting. A 1" wooden dowel threaded through the fitting functions as the perch. Right now the dowel appears to be made of red oak which will work for training only. I will switch to a different type of hardwood once Cosmo gets used to it. I used 1" pipe rather than 3/4 or 1/2" because of our dog's happy tail wagging. This perch should work out fine for an M2. For Goffins and some of the smaller toos, One could use 3/4" pipe for the base and upright pieces.

A Cool Gym

Submitted by: Larry and Heidi - November 23, 1996
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
I used 3 1"x8"x3' boards. Then I took a 4th and cut it into 3 slats. This formed the table-top. Then I took a 5th and cut it into 1"x2"slats and cut each piece just long enough to form a little wall to keep stuff in. Before attaching the 1"x2"s I coated the table-top with linoleum tiles. On the underside of the table-top I put four screw-in legs and the metal pieces to screw them into. We used 18" legs and placed them far enough beneath the edge so that the birds cannot climb down them. On top of the table we used three sides of a collapsible dog "kennel" that I had picked up. Perches will stay put on it and I put a "Parrot Circus" across the top. The "Parrot Circus" (for those who do not know) is essentially a bent ladder that is supposed to go across the top of the cage as a kind of play gym. A little hard work and we've got a playpen that we can take down in under twenty minutes to go with us when we move. BTW, if using this idea, IMHO the best screws to use are drywall screws.

A Folding Laundry Rack

Submitted by: Ray Gould - November 20, 1996
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
We have a folding laundry rack (wooden, unfinished) that Byrd loves to climb on. We discovered this inadvertently. Marlene had hand washed some of her delicate things and laid them out to dry on the rack in the room where we keep Byrd. Byrd climbed down from his cage, climbed the rack and immediately proceeded to drop Marlene's clothes on the floor. Ever since the rack has been "His Rack". We had to buy another one for the laundry.

Someone else suggested an addition to this wonderful piece of laundry-turned-bird-furniture, and that's a large cafeteria tray. Place it across the lower supports and it acts as a "catch all" for poop, food, etc.

PVC and Wood Gym (long)

Submitted by: Jim Stevens - jeem@gte.net - March 28, 1997
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
Several years ago I got tired of carrying Teddy Birds' cage from the room his cage was in at night to use as a perch in the livingroom. In a pet store I'd seen the perches for their tame larger birds that were made out of PVC pipe and made my own version.

It stands around 5 3/4 feet tall and is constructed from:
- 3 1/2 " diameter white PVC pipe 5 1/2 feet long
- 3 1/2" white PVC pipe coupling
- 3 1/2" white PVC toilet ring (The part that is screwed down to the floor, and goes through the floor to connect a drain pipe to a toilet)
- (2) 3 3/4"stainless steel bird bowls, one with right angle mount
- four wooden dowels (1 1/4", 3/4", 2 ea)
- 2 bird ladders (5 3/4" wide) (1) 27", (1) 17"
- 1/2" eye hooks to hang the ladders
- 3/4" plywood, 18" square
- hot water heater drip pan, 25" diameter for a catch tray
- 3 1/2" black rubber pipe connector/coupler cut in two ring pieces
- (optional) (4) chains with 1 1/2" links, in 12" lengths, bell, other toys.

The stand takes some tools, ability, and time to construct, but will hold up well against your Goffins play. They can chew up the wooden components, but ours hasn't really done too much damage to it yet. Once assembled, the wooden parts can be replaced relatively simply.

The construction is FAIRLY simple and straight forward.

1.The "toilet ring" is screwed down to the center of the plywood to create a base.

2. The pipe goes into the base and stands it up to make it easier towork with.

3. Drill hole and mount right angle feed cup bracket 5" from top of pipe. You may want to leave the bracket out until later, after you're sure it fits correctly. Just put it in before the top dowel is in permanently. This cup will be used for food, treats, etc. I don't recommend seed. Teddy likes to drop it on his head, and it tends to miss the catch tray.

4. For each dowel, drill 2 holes the size of the dowel, one on each side of the pipe so the dowel will pass through and create the perch. Make each pair of holes approximately 10 inches apart vertically. I made the second perch at a right angle to the top one, with the third and fourth at right angles to each other, but staggered so they weren't directly under oneanother. I did that to minimize droppings landing on lower perches, but Teddy found a way.......

The most uppermost perch centered 3" from the top of the pipe, using a 1 1/4" dowel for the top perch. I found that this one worked out best at 18" long. More on length of dowels later.

5.If needed, between each pair of perch holes drill a hole for a long screw to pass through the pipe and into the dowel to keep it from sliding or being moved by the bird. I did this only on the top perch. I found that the holes were tight enough, generally, to hold the dowels in place. The third, a 1 1/4", is a little loose, but just enough to give him a challenge.

6. Drill holes in ladder ends, screw in eye hooks. Open 2 eyehooks with pliers, screw them in holes drilled in top perch same width as eyehooks on 27" ladder. Link eyehooks together, close eyehooks. Repeat with 17" ladder on second perch.

7. Use a file to reduce the size of the inside of one end of the PVC coupling so the other stainless steel cup fits inside comfortably. This will be used for water.

8. With an assistant, remove the so-far assembled stand from the base by rocking it side to side while lifting and standing on the base to hold it down. Cut a hole the size of the pipe in the middle of the hot water heater drip pan. Slide the drip pan up the bottom of the pipe. Work the black rubber pipe connector/coupler up the pipe to a point to where the pan is out of reach of the bird (approximately 14"). Replace the stand back on the base. Line the pan with newspaper.

9. Hang chains from feed cup bracket if desired. Or hang cotton ropes or other toys.

Things like curtains, walls, pictures, or anything that can be chewed and destroyed should be out of reach. The only parts that could be dangerous that I can think of would be the eyehooks if they were chewed loose from the ladders. The dowels should not extend beyond the outside edges of the catch tray. Teddy decided to see if he could hit the floor with his droppings until I shortened the perches. Cleaning the stand is fairly easy. Just take it outside and hose 'er down! (off the base, the plywood might warp otherwise).

Another consideration that comes to mind has to do with something Teddys vet said. We've all heard of the birds' pecking order ( the "dominance factor"). She said that you should keep your eye level above that of the birds. The higher on the tree, the higher in the pecking order. Using the stand as a reward for good behavior and keeping the birds wings clipped will hopefully bring about control. Being consistent in discipline will be more rewarding too. You don't behave - you get locked up!

Manzanita 'Tree' & Home Made Platform

Submitted by: Sybil Erden - December 24, 1996
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
I recently bought Andreas a big Manzanita "tree" from one of the smaller ads in the back of Bird Talk. I bought what is called a "one of a kind" tree ( without a stand) for $114 shipped and then got a wooden planter and platform with casters at Home Depot and a 50 lb bag of concrete (another $28 total) and now have a great stand. Of course Andreas is *demolishing* the wooden planter, but so what?...the concrete is still there! So for less than $150 I have a 6 foot high nifty play stand...and a pile of splinters to clean up daily.

Inexpensive Parrot Tree (long)

$50 Indoor Aviary

Indoor Playground

Submitted by: Tonya + Leandra - September 04, 1997
Bird toy can be used for Medium Size Birds
Here are the things you need for your indoor playground.

A medium or large tupperware lid (the ones you store things in)
PINE shavings
ground bird toys
food and water dish
blocks (or any thing you can think of they could climb on.)

Take your tupperware lid and you could either put it on top of the cage, on the floor, anywhere you would like. Put a layer of the Pine shavings (anything but cedar chips) on the tupperware lid. Next put a supply of food and water there. Put your ground bird toys on it. You could either get the ones at the stores or make your own like...soda bottle caps, legos, paper towel or toilet paper tubes, anything that will be safe. Take your blocks and/or some things they like to climb on and arrange them on there. I'm sure your birds will love it!
WARNING: If your bird eats plastic I would not recommend using this for your bird.

Playground For Your Bird

Submitted by: Katherine Hoang - November 28, 1997
Bird toy can be used for Small&Medium Size Birds
You need 2 pieces of 6 by 15, 3 sticks or perches for you bird, some toys and treats. First, drill 3 holes in the two boards about 5 inches apart according to the height of your bird. Secound, stick the 3 sticks in them and add the toys. There should be three perches for your bird.

Gigantic Playground

Submitted by: Macawman - December 23, 1997
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
I made this for my B&G but you can change the size according to your bird.

1 sheet of 5x4x4 plywood
an old 5x4x4 table or larger
a LOT of all-natural wood (i used maple)
concrete

Screw the plywood onto the table.Then build a frame around it (about 5 inches tall), use wooden platfoms that are about 4x4x4 inches to set the bottom of your trees, towers, t-stands, or whatever else you decide to put in your playground. After screwing the platforms in, pour in the cement and smooth it out. Be creative add ropes, plasic chain, ladders, toys, and anything else. Instant playground that would have cost you well over $200 to fill in

Most Inexpensive Bird Gym Yet!

Petey's Little Playground

Submitted by: Lin - July 20, 1998
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
My one year old budgie, Petey has a lot of neat little toys. I always give him goodies like q tips, pen lids, yarn with a knot in the middle, a bead, boxes, rings etc. I didn't have room in his cage for all of his stuff. So I made a little playground out of a big tupperware box. It has shredded newspaper on the bottom, a basket full of his favourite treats and toys, tiny cereal boxes and a ladder. He spends hours in his happy playground and can go hours more without his mirror! This is the best idea I've gotten in a long time!

Cockatiel Playground

Submitted by: mary - February 11, 1998
Bird toy can be used for Medium Size Birds
GET:
Wooden thread spools, UNpainted WOODEN curtain rings, a large RAFFIA wreath, raffia (not string!!), & a plastic bathmat

PROCEDURE:
With the raffia, affix the curtain rings and spools to the wreath. You can even attach cardboard. Hang up the wreath, and put the plastic bathmat under it.

Cockatiels will love shredding this during their free flight time! Because of the bathmat, cleanup is a snap!
It is a great way to keep them busy (and well behaved!).

Ladder climbing

Submitted by: Susan - April 07, 1998
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
Take popcicle sticks and clothes hangers. Using the popcicle sticks as the climbing part, hook them together with the clothes hangers. Makes a great ladder!

Birdie Box

Perches To Keep Room Clean, Fun For Bird

Lego Gym

Submitted by: Dan - August 03, 1998
Bird toy can be used for Small Size Birds
I love legos and have a lot. I decided I would build my own gym with legos and the results were wonderful. My bird loves it. All you need is one of those big containers of legos, build something out of it, and presto! You got a gym.

Bamboo Ladder

$40 Climbing Perch

Submitted by: Aimee - November 20, 1998
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
When we got our African grey, we wanted to get a climbing perch for him. However, these perches may run from $60-$300 for what is essentially wood and PVC pipe. Here is what we did:
You need:
-Unfinished wooden mailbox post
-dowels to fit the size of your bird (easy to perch on)
-Round piece of wood to fit on the mailbox post where the mailbox would usually go (found at Loews, Home Depot, etc.)
-large plastic planter
-cement
-plastic chain
-2 margarine containers

Steps:

1. Drill and nail the round piece of wood onto the part of the mailbox post where the mailbox would normally go.
2. Drill 2 holes into the round piece of wood large enough to fit 2 margarine containers for food and water
3. Place the post into the planter and fill with cement.
4. When dry, drill holes into the post. Place the dowel rods in the holes-make sure your bird can easily reach them to climb around. We drilled extra holes so we could rearrange the perch every once in a while. Also, we hide peanuts for the bird to pick out in spare holes.
5. Hang the plastic chain from the top of the post to the bottom. The bird can climb on this and you can also hang toys from it.

This can be heavy, but my birds love it! To cover the cement at the bottom, we put potting soil down and sprouted bird seed in it.

Cement Perches Recipe

Submitted by: Raenett - December 1, 1998
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
Materials needed:
PVC pipe (Home Depot sells 10 ft. length for 70 cents). I use 3/4" inside diameter, but slightly larger for Cockatiels would be fine.
Duct or Masking tape
One 2" Lag screw PER perch (I think that's what they're called; they have threads on both ends)
Two washers per perch (must be wider than the outside diameter of the pvc pipe and the appropriate size for your cage wire)
One wing nut per perch (make sure it's the appropriate size for the lag screw)
1 bag all purpose sand
1 bag cement
1 tin can or something to hold the molds in.

Now comes the fun part:
Cut the pvc pipe to whatever length perches you want. If you're making more than one, cut them all at once. We have a lot of power tools, which makes it much easier. I usually make mine 6" long.

Now cut each piece of pvc pipe down the center, making a seam. This is not an easy task, but the cut doesn't need to be straight, and my seams usually end up jagged. I have used wire cutters, scissors, garden shears, and a Dremel to make these cuts.

Take the duct or masking tape and tape the bottom and the seam of each piece of pvc pipe, so that when you add the cement mixture, it won't leak out. Stand all of your ready to fill pvc molds in a can, open end up (I have a piece of 2x4 with holes pre-drilled to hold the molds).

Mix 3 parts sand to 1 part cement and add enough water to make it kinda smooth and pourable. MIX WELL, and add more water as needed. Pour the mixture into the pvc molds (a little overflow is better than not filling completely, because some of the water in the mixture will rise to the top).

Place a washer, followed by a wing nut, onto a lag screw, and place it into the center of the cement mixture. The washer will keep the screw from falling into the cement. Don't worry about any dribbles down the side of the molds, this is mostly water.

Let the cement set for several days,... the longer the better. If you become over anxious, your perches will fall apart when you take them out of the mold. I learned this the hard way. Once the cement has set, remove tape and spread the pvc pipe. Take a pair of pliers and pull the perch out of the mold by grabbing onto the screw, or in most cases you can push the perch through the mold once loosened.

When out, the perch will be smooth on the surface. I roughen them up by lightly sanding. If you don't have sand paper, you can use a file, emery board, or whatever. Attach the perch to the inside of the cage, one washer up agaist the cement, attach the other washer on the outside, through the cage bars, and secure with the wing nut.

That's it! I hope I didn't leave anything out. It sounds like a lot of work, but it really is very simple, and as I said earlier, the average cost per perch is 50 cents. The hardest part is cutting the seams and waiting for the cement to cure. Good luck!

K'nex Bird Tower

Half Edible Play Gym/Perch For Top Of Cage

Basket portable perch

Submitted by: Crystal - July 23, 1999
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
I got this idea from the book "A Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot" by Mattie Sue Athan. Find an unpainted unvarnished wicker basket. Buy some jute or sisal string, wrap the string around the handle of the basket for secure footing to help make it harder to chew. Make knots in the string if you want, or if have a larger bird. While you're wrapping the string, thread some key rings, quick links, or other toy holders onto it to hand toys from later. Cut old newpaper to fit the bottom of the basket. I also get some crocks that have wire hangers and hang them in between the wicker weave of the basket. I also put foot held toys in the bottom of it. It is great! It's also portable, so you can take it from room to room with you. Or outside!

Punching Rod

Branch in Vase

Submitted by: Katie and Percy - August 19, 1999
Bird toy can be used for Small&Medium Size Birds
I found a branch with many off shoots on the ground in the woods. I took it home, rinsed it off, and baked it in the oven to sanitize. Then I just stuck the end in the narrow neck of a vase and -ta da! a lightweight portable perch! You can also anchor the branch in a pot filled with stones. I added one of those disposable aluminum trays by just cutting a hole in the tray and putting the branch through it. I like this perch because my birds can not climb down off of it.

Cockatiel Potty

Easy and Cheap T-Stand

2 TIER PLATFORM FOR COCKATIELS

Swinging Branch

A Great Play Stand

Kiwi and Tweety's "High Hanging Perch"

Submitted by: Chris,Kiwi,and Tweety (parakeets) - November 06, 1999
Bird toy can be used for Small&Medium Size Birds
Materials: Plastic Hanger,Ceiling Hook.
Time Needed Without the Ceiling Hook: 5 minutes
Time Needed with the Ceiling Hook: 2 secounds
Intended for medium sized birds:Parakeets,Finches,Baby Parrots, ETC

Hers What you do:

Get a Ceiling Hook.Then get a plastic hanger.Hook the hanger to the hook and but your birds on it!

Simple T-stand

Submitted by: Karen - December 10, 1999
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
My bird Chico loves his T-stand. It was very simple to make. I consists of a pole (actually an old unvarnished broom handle) attached to a block of wood for a base. We also set a rock on the base so the T stand cannot be accidentally tipped. Then you attach a clamp to the top of the pole, and you can clamp on a fresh, safe branch for a perch. My bird definitely loves fresh branches. This way branches can be easily replaced.

Paper Tube Maze

Simple Gym

T-Stand

Submitted by: Ryan - March 05, 2000
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
Buy a T-stand with food dishes.$50 Then go buy 5 eyelets. Drill holes in the T-stand and mount swings, rope swirly perches, ladders, and anything elso that you want. This can turn a $50 T-stand into an entertaining and sturdy gym. It requires very little skills and some creativity. This a especially good for a person who would have trouble building a playgym from scratch.