Hampster Platforms	Quick, Inexpensive Outdoor Perches
Create Your Own Gym	Cheap Perch!
Homemade Tree For All Birds	Easy Perch Lampshade
A Twist On The Drying Rack Idea	Easy To Clean, And Fun For All Birds
Bird Playground	Obstacle Course
Bird Tree - under $15	Hanging Gym
Birdy Home	Another Gym Twist
Rolling Laundry Hanger Perch	Amazing Bird Stand.
Changeable Playgym	A Birdie Teepee(about $40 in store)
Bird Tree	Floor Gym Or Table Gym Very Versitile
Great Bird Gym Idea - It's a Tree!	T-Stand With Toy Hanger and Bowls
Kiki's Shower Perch Idea	Kiki's Parrot Trolley Gym
Large Flat Top Perch	the shoe box
The petsmart's hanging thingy	ThE bUdGiE mAzE
Jungle Gym	An Easy Way Of Doing It
Plastic Laundry Stand Play Gym	Maze Fun!!
Cage Tight Ropes	Rope Perch
More Gyms & Perches - Page: 1   2

Additional Information About Bird Toys

** Baubles, Bangles and Beads - Toys FAQ **
** Footloose....Problem Free - Perches FAQ **
** Tons of Toys (to Make Yourself) **

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Hampster Platforms

Submitted by: Serina - March 07, 2000
Bird toy can be used for Small&Medium Size Birds
My birds have a couple of platforms in their cage that they love. They're called small animal platforms and are made out of wire spaced about a centimeter apart and hang on the horizontal bars of cages.... They love to sit on here and this helps them if they have arthritis.

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Quick, Inexpensive Outdoor Perches

Submitted by: Bob Brann - bobbrann@yahoo.com - May 21, 2000
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
We have 8 parrots ranging from an Indian Ringneck to a Scarlet Macaw. Various size perches are necessary in the garden under the trees, on the patio, on the deck, in the front yard etc.

The easiest to build, least expensive, most durable, most versatile perches I've invented (and I've been "birding" for 45 years) is to slice off the top half of a PVC "T" in order to form a saddle for a short piece of branch. Then drill a couple of holes in the saddle to secure the branch with screws. Cut a piece of PVC pipe about 12" longer than the height you want the finished perch to be above the ground. Make a hole in the ground by pounding a piece of steel pipe (I use conduit) into the ground then extract it and shove the PVC pipe down into the hole. You can drill the perch to insert wire feedcup holders, or drill through the larger ones to install bolts for screw-on-cup feeders. I have perches ranging from 1/2", 3/4", 1" and 1 1/4" depending on which birds they are for. They can be grouped under a tree, placed in a lawn, or stuck in a planting area around a deck. The birds love to join us outside, and it is an attractive way to display the birds at a social gathering.

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Create Your Own Gym

Submitted by: Phyllis - pea_gee@hotmail.com - September 05, 2000
Bird toy can be used for Small Size Birds
Use tinker toys.. Great for small birds.. Can make things to add on like mobiles or swings..ladders....construct to your own liking. Small or large. Can take apart and reconstruct for cleaning and changes.. No need to use glue or nails.. Should be non toxic because they are made for children.

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Cheap Perch

Submitted by: Katia - cutestmidget@hotmail.com - October 10, 2000
Bird toy can be used for Small&Medium Size Birds
I picked up a plastic 3-tiered display stand for dinner plates, for $2.50 at the local Bunnings. I covered it in some *safe* string, meaning that I spent 1/2 an hour wrapping the string around each leg and section of the stand, and now I have another perch for my budgies! When I first gave it to them they spent 1/2 an hour pulling themselves up and down the stand. I have hung some *safe* bells and other toys on it too, rotating them when they get sick of them. Having one playgym is great, but I added a ladder, leading down to my stringcovered display stand, which is now on a board, and they have a two-tiered playgym! And very cheap!

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Homemade Tree For All Birds

Submitted by: Christine - JoyoftheEarth@att.net - May 26, 2001
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
The materials you will need are:
1 old Christmas tree stand - the kind with four screws
3-inch PVC pipe approx. 10" or 11" long
6-8 good sized tree branches (minus the leaves) approx. 4-5 feet in length and different diameters.
3 or 4 wedges of wood that are about one-inch wide
jute or sisal rope braided or twisted to about 1/2 inch diameter (optional)

Set the PVC pipe in the stand and tighten down the screws until the PVC pipe is good and secure. Insert the tree branches into the pipe making sure they are spread out at the top rather than bunched together. This is where the wedges help to secure the branches into place. Use a hammer to tap the wedges in if necessary.

Once the branches are securely set in the pipe you can use the rope to make a bridge from branch to branch on top. Two of our branches had nice forks in them that were just perfect for adding a nice thick branch between the two, lashing it in place with the rope and then stringing the rest of the rope among other branches. We have also added other horizontal branches where we can.

All our birds use this "homemade tree" from our cockatiels to our pionus. As the branches get chewed up, they are easy to replace. I've even hung toys, paper strips and seed logs from the branches. Anything your birds find fun to play with can be hung. You'll find it's best to keep the height of your tree to about shoulder level or below. Place newspapers around the bottom to catch the mess.

WARNING: Use branches you know are safe for your birds; i.e., birch, crabapple, maple, ash, etc. To prepare your branches scrub them well with a nontoxic disinfectant such as diluted chlorine bleach, rinse well and allow to dry.

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Easy Perch Lampshade

Submitted by: Sarah - fishy_gurl@hotmail.com - May 29, 2001
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
This is so easy it's unbelievable. I'm sitting here at my computer, trying to think of a way to keep my keet occupied while I'm reading. She won't stay on my shoulder for more than 2 minutes, then she flies around the room. But, when she comes back, she perches on the lampshade that's beside our computer. It's textured, so it's good for her feet, it's away from the cats, who are trying endlessly to eat her, and it's close to me, so she's comforted. You could change the width or size for different sized birds, and different textures for variety. This perch costs probably $10, or if you have an old lamp that no one uses anymore...

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A Twist On The Drying Rack Idea.

Submitted by: Kelly - kelly@cernunnos.fsworld.co.uk - September 10, 2001
Bird toy can be used for Small&Medium Size Birds
Following on from the idea of using a concertina-style wooden clothes dryer/airer as a playgym.

With only two weeks to go until our two new cockatiels arrived, and not enough money to pay £250+ for a small bird gym, I was getting a little worried as to where our babies would play during "free-time" outside their cage!

A very good idea from a fellow Tiel Talk-er was all it took...I bought a natural wooden clothes airer from a catalogue shop called "Argos" (I'm from the UK...there are comparable products in the US). It cost £10...around $6! Then I asked my other half to sand down any sharp edges, tighten the bolts that held the dowels in place, and affix a square of MDF to the base of the airer.

Now was my turn. I strengthened all the supports by lashing with garden twine (I think its called "Jute" in the US), but you could use raffia as well. At the top, where the airer was held upright by a flat set of dowels, I hung a swing, and attached some chew toys. One of the dowels was loose enough to come out of its socket; this was replaced by a manzanita perch with the washer-type attachments that hid the socket from any future beak attacks. Metal cups with a hanger attachment fit well over the thicker supporting struts; these can be filled with food, treats, and water.

Lastly, I plaited thick string into a 3/4' perch and strung it between the dowels so that the birds could climb from the floor to the flat top. Hopefully this will give them strong legs as they run up and down the airer! The whole thing is 5 feet tall, and is easily lifted from one place to another.

The total cost? Including toys, coop cups, airer, base, the manzanita perch and string....£30..around $45! Email me if you would like to see a picture.

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Easy To Clean, And Fun For All Birds

Submitted by: Alexa - September 23, 2001
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
Are you a wicker basket person? Well then you have a cheap or free toy. Here's what you do...

1. Get the appropriate sized basket for your bird to perch on.
2. Place paper towels or newspapers in the bottom of the basket.
3. Use shoe strings (or other strong strings, nonfraying) to tie your birds favorite toys, treats, or bells onto the handle.
4. Place your bird on the basket handle and be amazed. You do have to check on them, so the strings do not harm them.

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Bird Playground

Submitted by: Engligh Parakeet - October 02, 2001
Bird toy can be used for Small Size Birds
Take any kind of blocks taller than your bird. I recomend cardboard blocks. Make an enclosure with the blocks. You can make any shape. I have blocks that are tubes and birds love to run through them. Also you can stack blocks. If your bird has clipped wings, you can make a ladder out of popsicle sticks and lean them against the blocks. Please supervise your bird if you are using wood blocks. The blocks can topple over and hurt your bird.

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Obstacle Course

Submitted by: Karen - kchurch@adelphia.net - March 09, 2002
Bird toy can be used for Medium&Large Size Birds
I make Taco (my Grey) play stations for the different rooms that she often shares with us. I have two versions.
The pole version is made by getting pine wood (ie: 2" X 2" for pole, 8" X 24" to 36" for base, and a variety of dowels in different widths, including square). Make a cross style base, like an old fashion Christmas tree one, then drill a 1/2" hole into the middle of the base and the middle of the bottom of the 2 X 2 (cut to the height you need or want) and insert a small length of 1/2" dowel into the base as a pin. Then, before putting the 2 X 2 onto the base, drill holes the size of the dowels you plan to use at different points on the top section (remember, you don't want your parrot being able to simply climb down to the floor). Be creative, plan to put the dowels on the flat sides as well as the corners and space them so that climbing can be easy and challenging. Insert the appropriate dowels in the holes, making sure they are tight, and then put the climbing pole on the base. To make the pole extra sturdy, I take the remaining strip of 2 X 2 and cut it into 4 angle braces to be placed at the bottom connection each side of the 2 X 2 to each leg of the base. (Again, the safest way to attach is to use internal pegs, like the one holding the pole to the base). I then drill small to medium size holes in the climbing branches of the pole so that I can hang toys and other objects of interest. To protect the floor when Taco uses these poles, I have a collection of round washable plastic or cloth table covers (you can get these very inexpensively at most dollar stores).

The table top verson is based on the same concept, it is a collection of dowels (lined up like Stonehenge, or like an old fashion playground), and even some wide with steps that go up to a landing that has a dowel with a wooden block that can hold nuts for special treats, all connected to a 2' X 3' pine board (again using the internal peg connection).

For the hanging toys, I go to the local craft store and get a variety of wooden shapes, drill holes in them and string them or run a thin dowel through them so they can be moved horizontally, and/or spun around and around!

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Bird Tree - under $15

Submitted by: Vikki - finni_lou@hotmail.com - May 20, 2002
Bird toy can be used for Small Size Birds
Things you need:
A 1-2 inch round, broom handle
4-5 feet of 1/2 inch dowel
a 1x1' wood base
A 2 inch long, slim screw
towel
tape (clear packing)
peanutbutter jar lid (Kraft lids work the best)
ladder
toys

Cut the 1/2 inch dowel into foot long perches. Arrange them the way you like around the broom handle. Lay the broom handle on the ground and put little dots where you want the perches to go.
Drill 1/2 inch holes where you put the dots. (drill all your holes first!!)
Put non toxic wood glue on the perches, then hammer them into the holes you've made. Drill a very small hole on the bottom end of the broom handle and also in the middle of the wood base. Take the screw and screw it into the wood base through the hole, then screw it into the broom handle (where the hole is). Next put on the toys and ladder. Take the peanut butter lid and tape it to one of the perches. (Make sure that it's stable enough so your bird will not fall off.) Then put it somewhere by your birds cage and put the towel arount the base.

My two parakeets kiwi and apple love their tree!!

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Hanging gym

Submitted by: CJ - March 29, 2003
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
Materials:
Stout branch (* see below)
Two 12" lengths of PVC pipe
Wire coat hanger
Chain (** see below)
Two screw-in eye hooks
Two "S" hooks
Two toggle bolt hangers.

Cut a 2-to-4 foot length of "bird-safe" (be sure it's never been in contact with pesticides or other chemicals nor is of any toxic variety) thick branch. Use hard wood if your bird is a heavy chewer. Both "cut ends" should be at least 2 inches in diameter, but can be thicker.(This is so the eye rings can be screwed into the branch without splitting it). Attach a screw-in "eye ring" a couple inches in from each cut-end of the branch. (Be sure to line them up with each other on the "top" of the branch)

Decide on the distance that you would like the "hanging perch" to hang from the ceiling. Have someone hold the perch level at the height you desire.
1)Measure the distance from one eye-ring, straight up to the ceiling,
2)Measure the distance from the other eye-ring,straight up to the ceiling. (these two measurements will likely differ slightly if the branch is curved)
3)measure the distance of a straight line drawn between the two eye-rings.

Buy a sturdy welded-link (so as not to snag or catch toes or toenails) chain. Be sure chain is zinc free. (Brass or stainless steel or nickel plated). Chain should be one long chain that is the combined length of the three measurements above.

Attach two toggle bolts to the ceiling the same distance apart as measurement number 3. Drill two holes, about 1/2" from end,through one end of each of the PVC pipes. Line holes up as shown below

(top view of PVC pipe, arrows show location of holes) ->O<-

Put the two PVC pipes end-to-end with drilled ends together. String chain through the two PVC pipes. Using an "S" hook attach each loose end of the chain to one of the scew-eyes on the branch. (For now..Let PVC pipes slide down to branch on each side.)

Have your helper hold branch level where you want it to hang. Hook chain to the toggle hooks as shown below, stretching chain tightly between toggle hooks at ceiling. Slide the PVC pipe lengths back up to ceiling and use a short length of coat-hanger wire to attach them to the toggle hook at ceiling. (This will prevent your bird from climbing all the way up the chain and chewing on the ceiling. You may now hang toys from both the side chains and the top chain.

Note: if any toys hung from the top chain can be climbed, you may fit another PVC pipe length over the toy's chain to prevent damage to the ceiling.

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Birdy Home

Submitted by: Haley king - haleyking@yahoo.com - May 21, 2003
Bird toy can be used for Small&Medium Size Birds
materials:
small toys, your birds fav
2-4 shoeboxes w/lid
tape
knife or pair of sissors
paint(optional)

Tape lids to the shoeboxes. Cut a hole in lids of all boxs. Size depends on how large bird is. Just wide enough for him/her to fly through. Place and/or tape toys inside each box. Tape boxes vertically together. Paint your home if you want. Hope you and your bird have fun!!

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Another Gym Twist

Submitted by: Brian - bandrews@bttech.org - July 17, 2003
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
This cost me $16 and works out great. I cut up a dog wood tree growing on the place, soaked it in 10% bleach solution, allowed to dry, and then cut it into the limbs I wanted - a 6inch long 2 3/4 inch wide piece, and a 2 1/2 foot long piece.

I bought one 3ft. piece of pvc, and a 3 inch toilet anchor. Also one rubbermaid large square trash can lid. After treating wood, I mounted the pvc in the toilet anchor and put the 6 inch piece in the other end of the pvc. I put two screws in to hold wood in place, then put a dowel screw (doubled ended) in the piece of wood (drill guide hole first).

After putting in the screw, drill a hole in trash can lid and thread on upside down (to catch the nasty stuff). Now you get the 2 1/2 foot piece of wood and screw it on vertically for your main post to screw on branches. Then choose where to put your other branches. With a sander or knife, level the spot where you are putting the branches and then put in a dowel screw. Screw on the branches. Then put one longer branch horizontally across the top for your feeder and water bowl or bottle.

Now put eye screws in the ends of your branches for toys. For an added twist (I like using water bottles not bowls to keep water uncontaminated), use a hole saw and cut the center out of several 2 thick slices of wood. Drill a 1/2 inch hole in the bottom one on its side. Then put the water bottle head in that piece and stack the others on the bottle. This will protect the bottle, give your bird something to chew on, and is easily replacable. I painted my base and then screwed it to a piece of wood with caster wheels on it so it was portable. Looks pretty nice for $16.
Have fun

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Rolling Laundry Hanger Perch

Submitted by: Don Goodwin - September 30, 2003
Bird toy can be used for Medium&Large Size Birds
I had looked at several perches and thought some of the prices were ridicules. This is a great perch for mid to large size birds. I bought a rolling laundry hanger from Wal-XXXX, it is about 3 ft. long with 4 caster wheels on the bottom. It has 2 poles on each side that when together stand about 5ft. I used only one pole. There is a bar that stretches from side to side to hang your clothes on. I mounted a 2x2 onto this. The whole thing looks like an inverted “T”. The whole thing cost about $25 and about 20 minutes of time. Our Blue & Gold Macaw loves it. Wal-XXXX also has a item called Whitmor Supreme Ironing Center that I have my eye on for a playstand. Another great item for a play stand is what is called a bakers rack. Seen them for less than $60.

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Amazing Bird Stand.

Submitted by: Cory - cory_clarke04@hotmail.com - November 15, 2003
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
I am bringing my Baby (African Grey) home in 8 more days, and my Dad made me the most amazing bird stand.

He got 2 flat pieces of wood, and glued them together around the edge. He put a trim on the bottom, put tiles on the top, and right in the middle, he drilled a hole, where he put a big screw. He got a tree he found outside which he cut the middle out of, it's got lots of thick branches comin from it, and he screwed that right in.... and the more u turn it, the tighter it gets. We added a swing coming from it, and we are going to put a big rope bone, hanging from the top.

I brought a picture of it into Petsmart, asked one of the girls who work there, how much they think it cost me, she said $500. Yet it was free... the breeder offered my dad to sell them for him, if he makes them.

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Changeable Playgym

Submitted by: Kim - tweetybird69er@hotmail.com - January 07, 2004
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
This is an inexpensive gym that you can build and always change on your bird.

You will need the following:
5/8ths wooden dowels
1/2 inch plumbing tees and 90's
non-toxic white glue (bought at the dollar store)
non-toxic children's wooden blocks (bought at the dollar store)
rope

Cut the dowels into various lengths. I used 6 and 12 inch lengths. Glue the pieces together into the tees to make the gym. Drill holes in the blocks and feed the rope through. Make sure to tie knots below the blocks to prevent them all from sliding down. I then used non-toxic childrens paint (bought at the dollar store) and painted each bar a different color.

The best part about this......after about 1 month, the glue dries out and the pieces come apart. Then you get to redesign the gym for your friend. If you would like pics just email and let me know......make sure that you say that in the subject line or else I won't open it.

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A Birdie Teepee.(about $40 in store)

Submitted by: molly the cockatiel girl - dovefeather2000@yahoo.com - January 31, 2004
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
scissors
card board
fleece
cotton fabric
cotton string
hot glue or for large birds sewing machine.

Cut a circle of cardboard according to your bird for the bottom. Then hot glue a circle of fleece on top. Then glue a cotton circle that's 1 inch bigger in diameter all around. Then your going to glue two sides of cotton together to make a double-sided cloth (good side out). Then glue it into a tube shape big enough to fit around the circle of fleece. Glue it on. It should now look like a tube with an end to it. Then you can cut a hole at the bottom big enough for your bird. Then tie up the top and hang in cage or on play gym. e-mail me if you need help on it.

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Bird Tree

Submitted by: Tina - trial@ev1.net - September 07, 2004
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds

I wanted one of those bird trees with the curvy thick branches that stand inside in a box; they're maybe 4'tall and sell for 100-150 in the stores. I took an old kitchen drawer from a remodel job and put casters on it. I cut grapevines at least a quarter-size in diameter and stood them up in the drawer, attaching them with screws from the bottom of the drawer. Since they were curved at the top, I could join them together using screws and/or adding other pieces of grapevine in a random manner, making bridges, ladders, etc. I left the small curvy sections of grapevine attached. I then could tie on toys, millet sprays, wicker baskets, etc. onto the branches. Lastly I put sand in the bottom of the drawer and take the whole thing outside and pour it out when it's soiled. My parakeets and cockatiels stay busy!

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Floor Gym Or Table Gym Very Versitile

Submitted by: Tony M. - longjohn19752003@yahoo.com - October 12, 2004
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds

Go to Walmart buy a tote for storage under the bed. Go to the arts & crafts section get one 1" dowel and two of the dowels that fit your birds feet best. Get wood screws at least 1&1/2" long and some screw in hangers for hanging toys.

Take the top of the tote and the 1" dowel. Use the dowel to make a mark dead center of the tote top. Cut the whole out as perfect as you can because this will have some support factors. Turn the tote top over and place it on the tote. This will be your seed catcher.

Drill a hole that is a little smaller than your screws in your 1"dowel. Put the dowel in the whole and screw it in from the bottom of the tote. You can use some kind of wieght in the tote to keep it from turning over. Now you have to screw the top down using the top to make the dowel stand as straight as possible so it will not move and scare the bird. Take the dowels that you bought for perches and cut to a length that dose not go futher than your seed catcher. Cut out just enough to make a small "c" in your 1" dowel drill a whole horizontal in the 1" dowel and in the end of your dowels for perches use your screws to pull them together. Put as many perches as you would like randomly up the 1" dowel. You can make the stand shorter if you would like.

On the top you put some of the leftover perch dowel straight across making a "t" add your cups for seeds and other things the bird eats. Use the hangers to hang toys for your bird to play with. This may sound like alot but it is cheaper than the ones i priced. You can also use perches you bought by making the wholes bigger and just screwing on the purchased ones. This will cost you about 20-25 dollars and is so versitile!!! Email if you need any help.

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Great Bird Gym Idea - It's a Tree!

Submitted by: Jenel - jenels@socal.rr.com - December 01, 2004
Bird toy can be used for Medium&Large Size Birds

MATERIALS:

Wooden Serving Tray
Manzanita Branch
Wood Screw
2 Fender Washers (for additional support)
Hanging Bird Toys
Elmer's Childrens Glue (bird safe)
Food & Water Cups
Newspaper

- Buy a wooden serving tray ($9.99) - the kind that you would use to serve someone breakfast in bed (you can find them at Bed, Bath & Beyond).

- I used sanded Manzanita with several branches (mine has 5), but you could use any "bird safe" tree. Cut the branches to the desired length, making sure that some of them are approx. the same length (I used a Bowsaw).

- Drill a hole in the middle of the serving tray and one in the base of the Manzanita branch. Screw the branch to the tray, placing a washer on each side.

- Take some of the cuttings you cut from the main branch and arrange horizontally on the top of the branches you cut the same height, connecting them. Slide hanging bird toys through the horizontal cuttings and Glu the cuttings to the main branch. You can also hang a ladder from one of these after it has dried.

- Place newspaper on the tray under the branch, and place food & water dishes in the corners.

I folded the legs of the tray inward and placed it on top of the bird cage.

My Cockatiels Love this! It resembles a tree and it's so cute to see them "roost."

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T-Stand With Toy Hanger and Bowls

Submitted by: Kellie - January 04, 2005
Bird toy can be used for Small&Medium Size Birds

Materials:
A wooden block, wooden dowels in a diameter right for your bird, two stainless steel bowls, two 1/4" plywood cut in squares the same size as the bottom of the dishes, screws, and S-hook, magnets the same size as the 1/4" plywood, non-toxic glue

Take the wooden block (you will probably need to add a weight to it) - this will be your base. Cut a section of dowel about 18" long, depending on the size of your bird and screw it horizontally and evenly onto the top of the wooden block. NOTE: Leave room on each side of the dowel for the food dishes. Now, screw the two 1/4" peices of plywood onto the edges of the dowel, face up, to make sort of 'platforms' at each end of the dowel. (the majority of the length should be dowel, not platform.) Glue one magnet onto each piece of plywood. Next, cut another piece of dowel a little bit taller than your bird. Screw it vertically onto the first (horizontal) dowel, a little off-center. Cut a last piece of dowel, a little longer than your bird is deep (his chest to his back). Screw this one horizontally at the top of the vertical one, opposite direction to the first dowel. Screw the S-hook into the last dowel, facing down. This should now be a perch with a vertical toy hanger and platforms with magnets on each end of the perch. Attatch your bird's favorite toy to the S-hook. Now, attatch one stainless steel dish to each magnet on the platforms. This is so you can take the dishes off to clean them. Fill the dishes with food and water and put your bird on the first dowel (the approx. 18" one). Now your bird is ready to eat with you! This may seem a little complicated, but read carefully, and follow the directions. Your bird will thank you!

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Kiki's Shower Perch Idea

Submitted by: Janeczka & Kiki - March 18, 2005
Bird toy can be used for Small&Medium Size Birds

Kiki, my pet Indian Ringneck Parrot, loves to have her showers every day, and we didn't want to keep her on our shoulders every time she takes her showers, as she scratches us terribly. I kept seeing this online ad of parrot shower perches, and they're all so costly. Unfortunately this idea only works for "smaller" birds. Indian Ringnecks, conures, cockatiels, budgies, etc. I use a plunger for Kiki to shower on every afternoon, and she accepts it perfectly. I thought i'd add it here seeing as this is a very nice place for 2nd hand toy and perch ideas. I get most of my own toy ideas from here.

Please visit Kiki's website: http://members.dodo.com.au/~johanp/index.htm

Contact to forum: http://www.parrotalk.com/forum/index.php?act=Msg&CODE=4&MID=2754

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Kiki's Parrot Trolley Gym

Submitted by: Janeczka & Kiki - March 18, 2005
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds

Kiki, my pet Indian Ringneck Parrot, loves playing around with parrot bits 'n pieces, so I decided to make my own parrot playgym for her. I used an old baby's pram, trolley thing.

You can see a picture of Kiki's Parrot Trolley Gym on her Photo Page
http://members.dodo.com.au/~johanp/Photo%20Gallery.htm

It works fairly nicely, is small for the small species, and larger for the larger species. For example, you might like to use a human baby pram for a CAG or Macaw, but for a conure or small amazon, you might like to use just a dolly's pram like I used for Kiki. She loves it, and I find it very useful too.

Please visit Kiki's Page: http://members.dodo.com.au/~johanp/index.htm
Contact to forums: http://www.parrotalk.com/forum/index.php?showuser=2754

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Large Flat Top Perch

Submitted by: Don Davis - DonDavis@sympatico.ca - December 09, 2005
Bird toy can be used for Small&Medium Size Birds

My original thought was to protect food cups from droppings. I discovered most of the parrots enjoy these for activities from sleeping to running back and forth to attract your attention. Take a small board approx twice the width of the birds body. Insert two wires in the edge and bend them up at right angles so the surface will hang as a shelf. Adjust these with a bent hook in the top that will support them at a suitable distance above the food cups. These are very easy to clean and I believe you will be surprised at how quickly they will be accepted. D.D.

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the shoe box

Submitted by: jake - January 14, 2006
Bird toy can be used for Small&Medium Size Birds

Cut holes in both sides of the shoe box.About a centimeter diameter.Stick a dow rod into both holes to where the rod sticks out past the box.Then in the opposite side cut holes big enough for your bird to come in and out.Place millet and small water dish in bottom of the box.I also put a sanded perch on the out side for them to stand on.Place their favorite toys at the bottom.I added a ladder to the out side so he may come perch on the top.

My cockatiel Spanky loves it so much!!!It is great exercise and they love it.

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The petsmart's hanging thingy

Submitted by: Isabelle - birdabc123@hotmail.com - February 12, 2006
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds

Get a round ( or flat) peace of wood and drill 2 small holes in the wood ( near the ends) Then get a rope ( I would at least use 2 feet) then put it around the hols of the top of the cage and then put the ends though the holes and then keep tieing it tightly around the wood and the hang it! Then put your bird on it and ta da!

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ThE bUdGiE mAzE

Submitted by: christen - rob12@craigieburnsc.vic.edu.au - March 02, 2006
Bird toy can be used for Small&Medium Size Birds

ok my idea is mainley only for budgies.

first make a long tunnel using all different size boxes!
then get some toilet rolls and cut one line down the middle of them. now...............
stick them down good and put other objests inside.

(make sure you have an emergancey exit just in case your bird gets scared!)

wala have fun!!!

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Jungle Gym

Submitted by: Kelsea - April 23, 2006
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds

I have a 1 year-old Peach Faced lovebird that just lost her mate. she would'nt play with any toys at all.... all she would do is mope around all-day. Untill i made her this incredible jungle gym (all out of stuff that i had!!) now all my lovebird (Minnie) does all day is play on it!!! heres' what u need--
1. lots of colored shoes laces. depending on the size of your' birds feet.
2. Alot of multi-color beads.
3. A few coffee jar lids.
4. a hammer and a few nails.
5. string or wire. depending on the size of your' bird
6. and any-thing else you have around the house--like earings.
heres' what to do--
1. braid the shoe laces together as ur stringing beads to them.. keep braiding untill it is wide enough for your' bird to sit comfortabley on it.
2. hang it up where you want it. (if your' birds wings are clipped i would'nt recomend hanging it to high up incase they take a tumble you don't want them to get hurt).
3. take the coffee lids and useing the hammer and a nail poke a hole in the center of each lid.
4. string some beads on strong enough string or wire to hold your' birds' weight, and run it through the lids and then hang it from the shoe laces you just put up. (this provids a pearch for them aswell as something chalenging to try to stay ballanced on.
5. put some earings (anything flashy or maybe their fav.treat) on the laces for your' birds amussment.
6. leave your' bird to play (WARNING... it may take a while for your' bird to get its ballance if they haven't played on anything like this before.
Minnie loves this so i hope your' bird will also!!! plus you should see how strong her little legs are now!!!

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an easy way of doing it

Submitted by: Tori - July 01, 2006
Bird toy can be used for Small&Medium Size Birds

Well i have a budgie and i wanted him to have alot of fun, so instead of making a little playground for him to plays inside the with i decided to go searching for one.

1. i went to the pet shop to see what i would find, yes thay had what i was looking for but the price was unbelieveable.

2. i looked on ebay and they had a range to choose from but i wanted it to be in MY price range which was $20.00 to $30.00

3. I then went to k-mart and looked aroung there in the 'pet section'
TA-DA, First i checked the price it WAS in my price range then i looked on the back of the box to see what it looked like.
I was very happy with it and it was exactly what i wanted, so from then on i was happy.
I took it home to my bird and he loved it.

So if your looking for a small type playground for your bird and your willing to spend more than maybe $60.00 than look on e-bay and in the pet store.
If you are looking for something thats a little cheaper than do what i did go have a look in k-mart i guarente they will have it at a good price.

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Plastic laundry stand play gym

Submitted by: Eileen Mckissick - ejeane322@hotmail.com - September 10, 2006
Bird toy can be used for Small&Medium Size Birds

I took a plastic version of the folding clothes drying rack. I bought a Styrene window panel and cut in into various sizes for different size platforms on each level. Than I put wooden ladders with the hook ends onto the dowel rods. We connected all this to the drying rack with tie wraps. So the top level has two platforms and 2 ladders coming down to a middle dowel rod that has two more ladders to the next level which has a platform about 3/4 of the way across with a large dowel perch across the opening and a small platform on one side. Then two ladders take you to another middle dowel bar which has 2 more ladders to take you to a bottom platform which goes the whole way across. On this platform I have a stainless steel water bowl and a food bowl which is held in place by a small rail made out of the same window panel cut into a thin strip. The very bottom has room for two plastic bins to hold all the bird food and the lids catch the seed and poo that falls through the platforms. These lids are easily removed and washed.

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Maze Fun!!

Submitted by: julia - julzrulz_95@hotmail.com - April 08, 2007
Bird toy can be used for Small&Medium Size Birds

Hi...

I have a cockatiel called "Henry" he gets bored really easy!

So i made him a maze. All you need to do is find books, Videos and other rectangular objects then stand them up toghether but make sure there's no gaps for them to get out.
Start of easy then as your bird gets better make it more hard. Also put a treat at the end to reward them.

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Cage Tight Ropes

Submitted by: Daisy&Clover's Mommy - July 10, 2007
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds

I went to a hardware store and bought a large length of manila rope, approx. 1/4th of an inch thick.

I cut off a piece and tied the end to one of the inside sides of the cage and tied it off at the other side.

From there, I did the same thing with different lengths and tied it to different areas of the cage all connecting to that main "branch". You can also add different dimensions by braiding/twisting the rope, making random knots and using other sizes of rope and different kinds of rope as well. You can also string beads and toys on it.

If your bird is light enough, it would easier to thread the rope through the bars and tie it off by placing a wooden laundry clip at the end.

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Rope Perch

Submitted by: Irina - September 13, 2007
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds

Choose three different bright colors of yarn. Since yarn is very thin, first you must gather three long strings of each color of yarn. To put them together, tie knotts at each end. Keep on following this process until you have three gathered strings for each color. Braid each color, and then braid the three colors together. For larger birds, make two more of those and braid them together, you don't want your bird to fall off!

Be careful to cut any frayed areas off or your bird may catch a foot or toenail in it.

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