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BIRDS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN, PART 2 ... |
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PROVIDING
FOR PARROT PLAY WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK By
John Geary “Play
keeps us vital and alive. It gives us an enthusiasm for life that is
irreplaceable. Without it, life just doesn't taste good.” -
Dr. Lucia Capacchione, author and art therapist Play
is important for the health of all creatures, human or otherwise, and
parrots are no exception. As
anyone who lives with a parrot realizes, keeping these intelligent,
sensitive creatures entertained can be a challenging and expensive
proposition. There is no substitute for regular, playful interaction
with your avian companion; however, they also need to be able to play by
themselves. Through the types of activities toys provide, they develop
important motor skills as well as self-confidence and healthy
self-esteem. Neither
is there a substitute for good quality, interesting and safe toys for
your bird. You need to set aside a certain portion of your budget to pay
for bird toys, as almost all bird toys are purchased in order to be
destroyed. (Our one African grey can chew up a favourite big, $25 toy
within a week, leaving a pile of toothpicks under his play gym.) With a
little ingenuity, however, you can supplement your bird’s supply
store-bought toys – which can be expensive – with some inexpensive,
everyday items you can find around your home. Here
are five different playthings you can create for your bird from
household items. As with all toys, you need to introduce them to your
bird slowly, as he or she may first be fearful of them. Be aware, your
bird may never get over its fear of some toys, homemade or store-bought. 1. STRAW-EGG CARTON PORCUPINE BALL Materials needed: plastic straws, empty clean cardboard egg cartons. Take an empty egg carton bottom, and cut it in half, so there are six cups left. You can leave the top on or off; you could even combine this with the EGG CARTON TREASURE CHEST (see below). Poke two or three holes into each egg cup, then insert plastic straws into each egg cup, so there are about 12 straws sticking out. For small or medium parrots like African greys, Amazons, Eclectus or conures, you should use short straws, no longer than three or four inches. If you can’t buy shorter straws, just snip the regular-sized ones in half. For larger birds like macaws or cockatoos, you could probably get away with standard-sized straws, but again, it would depend on your bird. I’ve seen the largest of macaws act very timid toward a toy a small bird will take to immediately. You can then either place it in your parrot’s cage on the bottom, or hang it up somewhere inside the cage or on his play gym. Be careful the string you use to hang it is natural fibre like cotton, with minimal potential for your bird getting tangled up in it. Your bird may chew up the straws, pull them out and chew them up, pull them out and chew up the cardboard or just wrestle with it. A variation of this would be an egg carton treasure chest. Take some dry treats like nuts or seeds, or some fresh fruit or veggies chopped into small pieces, and place them into the cups of an empty, clean egg carton. Close it up and set it in the bottom of your bird’s cage. This combines eating with playing, and is a good foraging simulator for your bird, since he has to “work” to get his treats by chewing through the carton. Cautions: It is very important there is no trace of egg residue on the carton, dried or otherwise; if there is, do not use it, as ingesting it could give your bird salmonella poisoning. 2.
TOILET PAPER ROLL CRITTER Materials needed: used toilet paper rolls, straws. This is similar to the egg-carton porcupine. Take a used toiler paper roll, poke four holes in one side (the “bottom”) and stick four straws (three to four inches long) into the holes. These become the critter’s “legs.” Poke a fifth hole into the “top” at one end, and place another straw there – this is its “neck.” You can then place a small section cut from another roll on this fifth straw, to make a “head.” Hang it or just place it on a play gym or cage bottom, then turn your bird loose and watch the fun! An added feature could involve placing a nut or treat inside the roll, similar to the Egg Carton Treasure Chest. To keep it from being too easy for your bird, pinch the ends of the roll shut so it does not just fall out. Do not use tape or staples to keep it closed – these both present hazards to your bird. Another various would be to substitute wooden clothespins for the straws. Do not use the three-part spring pegs unless you take them apart first and just use the two wooden pieces separately. The metal spring represents a hazard to your bird. Cautions: Do not use rolls from coloured or scented toilet paper; the chemicals used may be toxic to your bird. Also, make sure there is no trace of glue left on the roll, as this can also be poisonous to your avian buddy. 3.
GOLF BALL GUY Materials needed: practice golf balls (the plastic ones with the holes in them), tees. This one is very simple. Insert three or four tees into the holes, then hang it or place it in your bird’s cage. Fore! Cautions: Always use brand new, unused balls and tees. If you used them on a golf course, there is no telling what pesticides or other toxic substances may have come into contact with the ball and tees. If you use wooden tees, it is important you use unpainted tees that have not been shellacked. They may be difficult to find, and if that is the case, use new plastic tees. You can also use wooden clothespins instead of tees, but make sure you take the three-piece spring types apart and throw away the metal spring. (see above). 4.
KEY-SPOON JINGLER Materials needed: Small quick link (from previously used store-bought toy), unused keys (or at least very clean keys), kitchen measuring spoons, leather strip (optional). My one African grey loves shiny metal objects that he can play with and put in his mouth, so this type of toy is a favourite of his. Simply take a set of new measuring spoons and/or keys (clean them all off well in hot, soapy water) and pass the quick link through the holes. Conversely, you could use a piece of leather left over from a previously destroyed toy, looping it through the holes, then tying it onto the quick link. Fasten the link to a cage bar and let your bird jingle-jangle-jingle his little heart out. Cautions: It is very important that you DO NOT use a split-ring to which keys are usually fastened. These represent an incredible danger to your birds. I know of a Cockatoo who pried one open, only to have it snap shut on his tongue, mutilating it. Dog-leash types of clips are also no-nos. Use a quick link that you can find on most safe bird toys or purchase in any hardware store. Also, use metals that do not contain zinc, as constant chewing or gnawing on them can cause zinc poisoning in your bird. 5. CEREAL
BOX PINATA
Materials:
small snack pack individual cereal box, food skewer This one is simple, but be prepared for a mess! If you do this on a play gym, you will have to clean up most of the cereal from the floor underneath, as most of it will spill out, not into, your bird’s mouth. Cautions: Do not use sugary cereals like Fruit Loops or Frosted Flakes, as the sugar in them can have the same effect on your bird as a sugar binge does on young children. Opt for cereals like Rice Krispies, corn or bran flakes, that way, if your bird does ingest some, you won’t get him buzzed on sugar. Originally published on the website Suite101.com
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General Information About African Greys |
