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Post by Rachael Kellett on Oct 26, 2011 22:13:29 GMT
This is fantastic! A good site for buying toy making parts is www.chinchillas2shop.co.uk/ I bought my last lot of goodies from there and their prices are really good
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Oct 26, 2011 22:18:09 GMT
This is fantastic! A good site for buying toy making parts is www.chinchillas2shop.co.uk/ I bought my last lot of goodies from there and their prices are really good I second that. Chinchillas2shop is brilliant!
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Post by stace on Oct 27, 2011 4:09:53 GMT
Okay. Here's one for those little chewers. And also those "bird servants" wanting something super easy and super thrifty - with bonus points for being a real cage spacesaver. Here's the "Chewbacca". Get a string of those Yucca kabobs (available at most pet stores). Rather than hanging them all (which simply takes up cage room and sees them all destroyed at once) just tie one up to the side of the cage. All you need is a Yucca round, a piece of natural leather tie, and a bead. Double up the leather tie and thread through the hole in the Yucca round. Thread a bead with a knot to one end, leaving the other to tie to the cage wire. Tie to the cage, and you're done. Simply replace the Yucca with a fresh one when suitably chewed over.
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Post by stace on Oct 27, 2011 4:55:52 GMT
In their natural state, budgies learn - and play - in their daily foraging adventures for food. So sometimes the best toys are made by simply being creative with their din dins. And if it gets them eating their veges, all the better. This is Boo's "Birdy Num Nums". All you need is a vegetable kabob (a must for caged budgies I reckon) and some tasty sliced veges. My little maniac likes to play with them, shredding them into teeny bits, but I'm sure he gets some into his little gob in the process. Slice the veges into thinnish shreddable rounds. Things like carrot and raw beetroot are great, as the texture is appealing to destroyer beaks. Plus they're packed with good vitamins. Hang, and enjoy. (Boo really likes this stainless steel skewer kabob thing, just as a toy on its own. He loves spinning the little washer stopper around like a top. Plus, he gets to 'love' his reflection in the shiny bit at the top. He's quite vain my bird, I find.) And if he doesn't eat his veges, he doesn't get any pudding. NOTE: Remember to remove any vegetables in the cage before bedtime. About half a day is a good guide, or they'll start to grow bad bacteria, especially in warmer weather.
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Post by stace on Oct 27, 2011 6:09:55 GMT
Introducing the "Dirk Dangler"... Heavy metal poisoning is a real risk for birds, so stainless steel rules in bird land. It's safe to chew and guaranteed free from dangerous rust. Whenever and wherever I can find it, I collect stainless steel parts. Washers, chains, O-rings, nuts and bolts, wire, quick links - the lot. US online bird stores sell a lot of bird-safe stainless steel products but, unfortunately, they can be hard to find elsewhere. Most metal parts you'll find in hardware stores are galvanised with zinc - a no-no for birds. I got this haul in a marine supply store. And from this was born the "Dirk Dangler". You'll need some chain, a couple of quick links, two washers and three plastic ring beads. One difficulty in making stainless steel toys is the need to attach parts together by opening and closing O-rings. It's a tricky exercise, requiring either a special pair of pliers, or two pairs of pliers. Using two quick links to attach things makes it so much easier. All you do is thread the washers and ring beads onto the quick link, and attach to the chain. Too easy. The alternating washers and beads make a very satisfying jangle, much to Boo's endless amusement. Here's a close up of the "dangler" bit. Hang it up with the second quick link, and Dirk is ready to dangle. NOTE: Budgies are notorious for getting themselves into trouble. Just be aware of any dangers a toy might present - entanglement, strangulation, trapped feet and the like. Keep chains or any hanging bits short, so they can't wrap around little necks in vigorous play, and if you have any concerns, reserve the toy for supervised play only.
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Post by BudgiesBuddy on Oct 27, 2011 7:44:45 GMT
More good ideas. Well done Stace
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Post by Rachael Kellett on Oct 27, 2011 19:16:07 GMT
This is a fantastic thread Stace and I can't wait to see more of your toys. Its made me want to make some new toys for my crazy lot, I have the supplies but I haven't had time to make any in a little while.
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Post by stace on Oct 28, 2011 6:02:41 GMT
Okay, so this isn't strictly a toy. But it's one of the best ways to provide your budgie with naturally inspired entertainment. It's also a sure-fire method to get naughty birds back into their cage, as well as keeping them amused if you're out for a while. This is "fresh seeding grass" – and it's bliss for budgies. It really is like a big bunch of happy. Watching them rummaging through the stalks, you can see all their advanced skills of manipulation – their agile little feet clasping the grass like hands and those highly adapted beaks and tongues deftly picking through the tiny seeds. It's wonderful to watch. You can gather the grass heads (dandelion is super too) from any clean source. If you're lucky enough to have a garden with lawn, leave a patch to go to seed - or grow some in pots. IMPORTANT: Just make sure the fresh grass is clean and uncontaminated. I grow mine, or collect it from a pristine local park, well away from any lead-filled car exhaust fumes. Watch out for dog poo, anywhere that might harbour pesticides, or wild animal droppings. Don't pick grass that grows next to a lampost, for example, or anywhere that may have been sprayed with weedkiller. And give it a really good wash before serving! Fresh grass heads will keep for around a week in a glass of water in the fridge - stem down - so you can gather a big bunch and just give them a little each day.
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Post by Hezz on Oct 28, 2011 6:44:48 GMT
Quote "One difficulty in making stainless steel toys is the need to attach parts together by opening and closing O-rings. It's a tricky exercise, requiring either a special pair of pliers, or two pairs of pliers. Using two quick links to attach things makes it so much easier.
All you do is thread the washers and ring beads onto the quick link, and attach to the chain. Too easy."unquoteStace, instead of "O" rings or quick links I use stainless steel keyrings. Abput $3 for a pack of 10 from Bunnings, so a really cheap alternative, I find. As you say "O" rings are a pain and I find quick links not too cheap and I tend to use my small supply on other things around the cage. Just to put that out there for those short of the folding stuff.
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Post by BudgiesBuddy on Oct 28, 2011 20:17:08 GMT
Another good idea. Keep up the good work Stace
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Post by sarah*glittergirl2212 on Oct 28, 2011 21:44:50 GMT
Loving the toys, and seeing them being enjoyed is great too. Thanks Stace!
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Oct 9, 2011 23:44:10 GMT
boojman
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 67
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Post by boojman on Nov 6, 2011 1:54:30 GMT
This is a totally great thread! It has inspired me to make some new safe toys for Booji!
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Post by samwiseg on Nov 27, 2011 10:47:41 GMT
Found this on the internet - it is a bead spider. I just had to make one of these for Monts and she LOVES IT! To make one: Get a duel clip preferably with another ring attached (to hang from cage and also your leather cords from) Attach as many leather cords to the clip ring as will fit, and tie off securely Thread on your chosen beads (Monts says more colour the better ;D) but ensure to leave enough room at the bottom to tie off so beads dont slip off. Once all beads are on, tie off ends securely and et voila! Happy budgies all round Attachments:
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Nov 27, 2011 10:55:01 GMT
That's a great idea. I have some sisal and beads and could make one with those
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Post by samwiseg on Nov 27, 2011 11:22:18 GMT
Glad you like - meant to attach a pic of the bead spider in action. Apologies for the blur but difficult to take a pic with your phone especially when the Mont-ster is scared of the scary camera?! Eat will eat her - she swears it ;D Attachments:
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