Home made bird toys!...?

wilykit

I got my cockatiel, Nedry last week and I have been trying to find him some more toys, but most in the shops are just flimsy pieces of plastic so I decided to try and make my own...has anyone else done this?

Here's a few pics...

wilykit

wilykit

Pechow

My birds would love those!! My homemade toys don't look even half as nice-one that's hanging in the conure's cage is a teapigs box with a chain through it to hang it, with a bell at the end, and coffee stirrer sticks stuck through the box. I put bits of nut in them so he has to look though to find them

wilykit

Ah thats a good idea! I was going to get a coconut and then use the shell and hang it and put treats in

Trying to be creative haha x

Pechow

That's good, foraging toys are great since it will mimic what they do in the wild-spend most of their day looking for food Though cockatiels are naturally ground feeders, so don't worry if he doesn't get the hang of it at first!

This is a nice page full of ideas for homemade toys: http://www.birdsnways.com/birds/ideas.htm

And here: http://www.tailfeathersnetwork.com/birdinformation/homemadetoys.php

And here's a whole forum full of ideas! http://www.tailfeathersnetwork.com/community/forumdisplay.php/32-Homemade-Bird-Toys-Recipes

wilykit

I've seen one of those pages before and I like the 'activity shirt' idea!

He is a little rascal right now...he likes to kick all his food out of his bowl and it goes all over the floor! I think he does it to get my attention because as soon as I notice him doing it...he does it more!

My friend owns a pet shop and he said he is more than happy to sell these bird toys

x

Pechow

My cockatiel does that too, I hoover and then half an hour later there will be seed everywhere because he stood in his bowl and kicked or flicked it all out! Mine doesn't do it for attention though, he's just a bit derpy.

That's good about the pet shop, always nice to have better toys than the rubbish budgie ones available!

wilykit

He's constantly doing it! Luckily my floor is laminate so I keep a dustpan and brush in my room!

He hasn't played with them yet. I've had him a week and he's still a bit skittish but I'm sure he will come round

xx

Pechow

He will! You can help him by playing with the toys in front of him, handling them, touching them, and generally just showing him it's ok. You can leave them lying around where he can see them when you're not there as well (for toys not in the cage already I mean) so he gets used to their appearance. It might always take him a while to warm up to new things though-some parrots are just braver than others!

You do the same sort of thing to persuade them to try new foods-eat it in front of him, make a big deal about how tasty and amazing it is, and eventually they get curious or jealous and have to try it for themselves.