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Post by BirdLoverScotty on Jan 27, 2012 10:31:44 GMT
i want to create something for the budgies to put at side of the cage like a tree or something and im a bit thick when it comes to doing stuff creative with my hands so im wondering if anyone has any ideas on what i could use and what i could put there .. im hoping to put toys on it and stuff to make my budgies hopefully play with stuff a little more . so kind of a little play station for them like a tree but not a tree
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Post by barrieshutt on Jan 27, 2012 10:35:27 GMT
A gym tree BLS
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Post by BirdLoverScotty on Jan 27, 2012 10:38:59 GMT
wat u mean barrie bls?
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Oct 8, 2011 20:57:03 GMT
Bonesy
Normal Violet
Posts: 198
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Post by Bonesy on Jan 27, 2012 21:42:59 GMT
Go out and find one ash trees, or willow, and take some branches, stick them in the side of your cage bars and they will act as a natural tree for them. Mine have various sticks I put up like this, keeps them busy and off my furniture. This is a simple straight birch stick but I have others in ash, willow, sycamore and apple. Stuff millet in the nooks, hang toys and swings off it, layer the branches up as a crisscross junction
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Post by stace on Jan 28, 2012 1:22:22 GMT
You could just gather tree branches and attach them to the cage somehow, like Soph has done. Or you could find one of those old-fashioned coat stands for a bigger tree that sits on the floor. Or one of those cup trees that people use to hangs mugs off on their kitchen benches which could sit on a coffee table.
Or you could make one. Hezz made one recently. Hopefully she'll read this and put up a picture of her creation.
Are you handy with a tool kit?
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Post by Hezz on Jan 28, 2012 3:01:51 GMT
You are only limited by your imagination, Scotty. Here are the two I have made: Playgym, lives on top of the cage: Tree (bare bones) at the opposite side of the house so they fly from one to the other:
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Post by samwiseg on Jan 28, 2012 14:14:20 GMT
Go out and find one ash trees, or willow, and take some branches, stick them in the side of your cage bars and they will act as a natural tree for them. Mine have various sticks I put up like this, keeps them busy and off my furniture. Stuff millet in the nooks, hang toys and swings off it, layer the branches up as a crisscross junction Living in the UK, obtaining these tree branches wont be too difficult - it might be a niave question, but can I ask do you have to let them season (i.e. dry out) before you let your birds on them? Or can they still be green? AND which is the best? So that if they eat it, it wont be a problem? Many thanks
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Oct 8, 2011 20:57:03 GMT
Bonesy
Normal Violet
Posts: 198
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Post by Bonesy on Jan 28, 2012 15:15:01 GMT
I don't worry too much about drying them, maybe 3-4 days if they're really wet so I can screw them or use wingnuts. Hawthorn, Apple, Ash, Willow, Birch, Sycamore and Eucalyptus are branches I use. These are known safe woods, and are easily identified. NEVER use cherry, yew, oak or laurel, VERY poisonous. Ash and Willow are my favorite "foraging" branches I feed fresh with leaves after a swill under the shower. Willow has lots of long leaves and thin branches that make for great foot gripping exercise and for bouncy fun!
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Post by Hezz on Jan 29, 2012 1:24:37 GMT
Some people bake theirs in the oven, Sam. I never have. I just give them a wash and a scrub, leave as many leaves on as possible, and fit them to the cage size. All you need to do is cut them to the right length, and I simply wittle the ends down so that they fit between the bars securely.
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Post by samwiseg on Jan 29, 2012 9:04:44 GMT
Thanks Bonesy and Hezz - I just heard that with wood it needed to be seasoned, like you leave it to dry out - afterall, I didn't want Monty chewing at a fresh branch that may upset her stomach (if you know what I mean)! Was thinking of Sycamore as it was used for making bowls and cutlery, it meant "sick-no-more" and we got load of it round here!
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Post by Hezz on Jan 29, 2012 9:15:28 GMT
My birds get fresh twigs of eucalyptus or bottlebrush almost every day. They are not so interested in chewing the leaves as pulling the bark off the small twigs. The leaves get a little attention but their best fun is from the twigs. And none of my perches are seasoned first - again they are mainly bottlebrush and eucalyptus. If I need new perches, I chop off a lump and fit it to the cage. Try Mony with a little fresh stuff - she will probably thank you for it! And a fresh bunch of leaves washed off under a tap and hung up in the cage makes a lovely natural bath. Most birds will throw themselves into the bunch and rub thenselves all over the wet leaves, getting the type of bath they would most naturally get if they were wild.
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Post by samwiseg on Jan 29, 2012 9:27:09 GMT
My birds get fresh twigs of eucalyptus or bottlebrush almost every day. They are not so interested in chewing the leaves as pulling the bark off the small twigs. The leaves get a little attention but their best fun is from the twigs. And none of my perches are seasoned first - again they are mainly bottlebrush and eucalyptus. If I need new perches, I chop off a lump and fit it to the cage. Try Mony with a little fresh stuff - she will probably thank you for it! And a fresh bunch of leaves washed off under a tap and hung up in the cage makes a lovely natural bath. Most birds will throw themselves into the bunch and rub thenselves all over the wet leaves, getting the type of bath they would most naturally get if they were wild. WOW! Thats fantastic - will definitely be looking into that. Thanks Hezz, you are a mind of info! I dunno though, seems like any money I do have disappears on the bird!
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Post by stace on Jan 29, 2012 9:54:11 GMT
My birds get fresh twigs of eucalyptus or bottlebrush almost every day. They are not so interested in chewing the leaves as pulling the bark off the small twigs. The leaves get a little attention but their best fun is from the twigs. And none of my perches are seasoned first - again they are mainly bottlebrush and eucalyptus. If I need new perches, I chop off a lump and fit it to the cage. Try Mony with a little fresh stuff - she will probably thank you for it! And a fresh bunch of leaves washed off under a tap and hung up in the cage makes a lovely natural bath. Most birds will throw themselves into the bunch and rub thenselves all over the wet leaves, getting the type of bath they would most naturally get if they were wild. WOW! Thats fantastic - will definitely be looking into that. Thanks Hezz, you are a mind of info! I dunno though, seems like any money I do have disappears on the bird! It's a bit easier for us here in Oz. Eucalyptus grows everywhere. At my place, I just lean out my balcony and grab a fresh bunch every few days.
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Post by samwiseg on Jan 29, 2012 12:14:32 GMT
WOW! Thats fantastic - will definitely be looking into that. Thanks Hezz, you are a mind of info! I dunno though, seems like any money I do have disappears on the bird! It's a bit easier for us here in Oz. Eucalyptus grows everywhere. At my place, I just lean out my balcony and grab a fresh bunch every few days. Yeah, this is true living in the UK, we have more of the willow and sycamore so might try those - Barrie said under the "bought Eucalyptus" posting that he grew willow from cuttings, so may try that. But many thanks for all your advice guys, it is always helpful
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Post by sarah*glittergirl2212 on Jan 29, 2012 13:06:25 GMT
If you really aren't creative I ordered a play tree from touchwood parrot toys in Scotland, they made me a smaller one sized for budgies! It was my christmas present to my budgies. If you can find the thread "what are you buying your budgies for Christmas" you will be able to see a photo of one similar to the one my birds have. They use organic willow and scots pine to make them and I have rung toys off the branches. It's a hit!
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