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Post by mona on Oct 22, 2020 19:04:55 GMT
Finally, I have been able to put a small simple cage top play gym for the birds. I know it's not very colorful or aesthetically appealing. But, that's the best I could do for them! Cookie loves throwing everything, hence the container with twigs, sticks and beads. Really very nervous, if they will like it and if they do, I wish they don't destroy it within a few days! π
Leather is very costly over here, so I wouldn't be able to use leather strips for the bead hangings. I have used jute strings and will keep a check on it, for any wear or tear. Have used screws, jute and hot glue to assemble everything. I managed to find a seller who sells natural products & ordered a bamboo toy ball, which can also be used as a foraging toy. Planning to add one of it here, along with some handmade star shaped paper foraging toys, with seeds hidden inside. The bird toys available online here aren't bird safe, which is so sad! Apart from that, the sellers never disclose about the tree wood used, which makes me super skeptical about the products. I have kept the base open to be able to add liner there for easy cleaning. Woodcraft DIY isn't popular at my place. I didn't have the tools, the proper safe material and it took really long to get everything and put it together. This is my first wooden craft DIY & everything is handmade here. Things you do for love! So, I would like to seek suggestions/inputs/improvement ideas/safety concernsΒ or anything that's not right in the play gym, before putting it up for use. PS: I realized yesterday that the trees visible from my window are bamboo trees!! Thank you in advance! π§‘
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Oct 22, 2020 21:58:13 GMT
I like it mona. Ultimately the best playgym or toy is one that they'll use as long as its safe and it seems you've made it safe. Does Cookie like to shred stuff? Some people make toys with paper for them to shred. I've seem some toys using the paper liners used for cupcakes strung together and then treats can be hid in those. I hope they love it!
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Post by Hezz on Oct 22, 2020 22:13:19 GMT
I really think the colourful is more for our own enjoyment than for the birds'. I think you have done well, and we'll offer a prayer to the playgym gods that the birdies will love it. Once they get over the newness of it all, I'm sure they will be very happy.
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Post by willowsmum on Oct 22, 2020 22:58:48 GMT
It looks fantastic mona. I'm sure they'll have great fun playing there
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Post by mona on Oct 23, 2020 4:55:41 GMT
I like it mona . Ultimately the best playgym or toy is one that they'll use as long as its safe and it seems you've made it safe. Does Cookie like to shred stuff? Some people make toys with paper for them to shred. I've seem some toys using the paper liners used for cupcakes strung together and then treats can be hid in those. I hope they love it! Cookie loves shredding. I'll take a look at the paper liner idea! Thank you! These are the star shaped paper toy she loves to shred (made from plain A4 size non glossy paper).. it has treats inside. I was lazy to string it together as a hanging, next time I'll do that! I'm also thinking about paper cup toys? π€ I'm getting some more natural wooden chew toys for her too. There's a wooden ladder, which they haven't touched for a year! There's a wooden chew toy and a tree bark, which she intends to destroy soon!
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Post by mona on Oct 23, 2020 5:01:02 GMT
Hezz Fingers crossed! I'm so nervous, if they would like it! π Prayers required indeed! π Agreed about the color. I read mixed reviews about using food colors to paint, so I refrained, to be on the safer side.. willowsmum Thank you.. I hope they like it! π₯°
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Post by blue48 on Oct 23, 2020 7:29:36 GMT
It looks great mona, I'm sure they'll love it! I bought a play gym for BertieB. I was gong to ask my sons to help with building one but because of Covid I don't see them as much as I'd like. He does play on it, but his favourite thing is tearing the bark off.
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Oct 25, 2020 17:07:35 GMT
Have they ventured near it yet?
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Post by jellybean on Oct 25, 2020 17:14:09 GMT
I think it looks terrific mona, what's not to like π
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Post by mona on Oct 26, 2020 3:09:32 GMT
Have they ventured near it yet? I had kept it in their room at the other end for 2 days and today it's near their cage.. I have added millet to lure them.. Will move it on the cage top tomorrow.. fingers crossed, let's hope for the best.. 𧑠PS: We observed the yellow paint on the sides of the base board used.. so, it delayed the play gym installation in the bird's room a bit.. we had to remove it all by cutting the wood from sides (the seller said it was enamel paint - i didn't even cross check if it was poisonous for them, i assume every paint is). Edit: I have moved the play gym on the cage top today. They aren't afraid to go inside the cage, but are afraid of the play gym. Have kept some millet and seeds to lure them there.. Fingers crossed! Hopefully they like it..
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Post by mona on Oct 31, 2020 11:16:22 GMT
Ohh, they are afraid of the play gym, as if it's a giant demon! π I have moved it under the curtain rod opposite to the cage. They will take time.. may or may not be interested! π Fingers crossed..
They don't like the ladder, swing and toys.. but they like chewing the bark off. π
I guess that's working for them! π Will add a few branches to strip on the window railing slowly.. don't want to scare them though. Cookie started the cupboard walk again for a while & went back to bark chewing!
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Post by mona on Nov 3, 2020 4:08:48 GMT
I have been showing them that the play gym is safe for playing..by playing with it..twice a day π Cookie looks at it with curiosity. Even if they don't like it, no hard feelings.. I'm just enjoying this time trying to play with it to let them know that it's something to play on.. π
They are so funny little creatures!
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Post by mona on Nov 10, 2020 20:22:02 GMT
I think they are afraid of the thick jute rope. The other thinner ropes, they are okay with. I just tore apart the old look and converted it to a more closer to natural wood look (simple one), which they seem to like. Let's see how they react to this one! π
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Post by willowsmum on Nov 10, 2020 22:47:17 GMT
Looks great mona. I think we would all be lucky to get set-ups exactly right first time, it's always good to tweak things to make them better once you see how your birdies react. Plus it keeps us busy
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Post by mona on Nov 11, 2020 3:44:19 GMT
Completely agree. I'm pretty new at birdie play toy making..plus, these birdies are not used to toys, just any natural branches or perch... so, it's going to be a couple of remakes and changes.. Yes, it keeps us busy for sure..and I love doing this for them. I'm yet to arrange some branches on the window railing and few swings from the curtain rod (idea stolen from Marianne Marlow's setup, but it won't be aesthetically perfect though π
Plus, I don't want them to freak out..so, just waiting it out to put it there.
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