The domestic parrot needs human attention and has difficulty withstanding loneliness. When the owner is not around, a parrot's play area can save the day. A well-equipped entertainment complex helps birds spend their time profitably, spend energy, and be creative. And for active birds, play stands equipped with entertaining items are necessary. You can buy a finished product for your pet or make it yourself from scrap items.
What is the complex
Speaking about play stands for parrots, we can draw an analogy with children's playgrounds on the streets.
Here we have similar devices for the development of dexterity, endurance, and in some cases intelligence . In a cage, a pet is limited by its size and mandatory accessories: a drinking bowl, a feeding trough and a bathing bath.
The perches are clearly not enough for the bird to spend quality time. Yes, a parrot’s home can be equipped with toys: mirrors, bells, ladders, etc.
Even if you manage to fit all this into the cage, the bird simply will not have any free space left to play.
While the entertainment complex is a free field, limited only by the owner’s imagination. Such stands can be made modular by adding new compartments if necessary.
Budgerigars are extremely active birds. They taste literally everything and everyone. If you don’t equip your pet with a place to play and don’t equip it with accessories, then it will begin to chew on the feeder, drinking bowl, and then begin to tackle the frame of the cage.
Need for a stand
A play stand is not just a beautiful accessory, but also a necessary structure for a parrot. Thanks to him, a bird released into free flight does not create trouble. She has a place to have fun.
If this is not the case, then the parrot begins to look for where to satisfy its need for mischief. Thus, bitten wires and tattered books appear in the house, and the culprit of the disgrace himself can easily get hurt or poisoned.
The need for a play stand for a parrot
It is not necessary to buy a ready-made structure; you can easily make such a platform with your own hands. And it will be a hundred times better than store-bought.
Requirements for the toy
There are a number of requirements and recommendations, following which will eliminate many problems when operating a gaming stand. Otherwise, your pet may be poisoned by toxic fumes or injured.
Frame
The best option for the frame is wood. It is better not to use plastic. Environmentally friendly, but at the same time reliable plastic is very expensive. The mass of budget plastic solutions that are sold in pet stores is dangerous for birds. During the hot summer months, the plastic begins to melt, releasing fumes that are poisonous to the animal.
Not every tree is suitable as a frame for a playground. Hard and coniferous species will do more harm than good. The only exception in this group can be nuts.
Optimal material for the frame:
- cherry;
- birch;
- Apple tree;
- plum;
- Linden.
Complete with industrial products there must be a specification that contains all the details regarding the materials used. It would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with it before purchasing a stand.
Base
The playground should be visually fenced off from other interior items. This will help the bird orient itself in its surroundings. The best option is sides . They will not allow loose accessories to fall out.
Dimensions
The bird should be able to calmly spread its wings without touching the elements of the playground. The optimal dimensions of a play stand for budgerigars are around 40 x 25 x 30 cm. If there are more birds, then the dimensions should be increased accordingly.
Reliability of fastenings
All elements of the gaming stand must be securely fastened. Despite their small size, budgies are able to move massive accessories, such as ladders, branches and other things. As a rule, in budget solutions, fastening is organized using glue, while almost all elements of premium stands are mounted on screws or have reliable latches.
Accessories on the playground should not wobble, fall out of grooves or play, unless this is provided for by the design . Otherwise, there is a risk for the bird to be seriously injured.
Even if the solution is budgetary - using glue, it can be modified by strengthening the key ties with self-tapping screws.
Where is the best place to place it?
The ideal option for placing the play area is next to the cage.
The parrot will not have to travel extra and sometimes dangerous distances to organize its leisure time. Some stands are mounted suspended, for example, on a cage or other static piece of furniture.
The play area should not be located in places where there is a draft. Otherwise, during active games, your pet may catch a cold. You should also avoid direct sunlight and proximity to heating devices.
It is also useful to read: Toys for budgies
Safety regulations
If the owner decides to make a toy for the parrot himself, he needs to take into account several important rules that will help ensure safe leisure time for the pet.
- Branches of pear, oak, bird cherry and poplar cannot be used to make toys. A poultry will definitely taste a new item, and the wood of the listed trees has a negative impact on health. An excellent solution would be to use branches of various fruit trees (except pear).
The branches must be boiled well before production. This will help get rid of harmful wood microbes and ordinary dirt.
- Metals like zinc, copper and brass should be avoided. They are poisonous and can cause huge health problems if ingested by a parrot.
When using metal fasteners, hooks, etc., you need to check whether the metals used are safe for the health of the bird.
- It is difficult to imagine a leisure item for birds that does not require threads to make. It is better to use threads made from flax, sesal, hemp, jute and cotton fibers. Over time, the threads will fray and need to be replaced with others or removed from the cage.
Why are frayed threads dangerous? Parrots are quite fidgety, and it is possible for a pet to get tangled in its claws. If you try to get out, you can get seriously injured.
- If store-bought toys are used, they must be disinfected. Disinfection can be carried out using special means, and if the material of the item allows it, you can boil it several times and then sprinkle it with chamomile decoction.
Using store-bought items is by no means a bad thing.
It is only important to check whether the materials from which they are made are safe
- If toys are installed on a special stand, they must be secured tightly. A pet parrot will not play on a stand on which something has fallen once. The design will have to be modified or completely replaced.
- All items necessary for the life of a bird need to be washed and disinfected from time to time, and leisure items are no exception. Dirt and dust can produce germs that can lead to illness. And anyway, who would enjoy sitting in a house with dirty furnishings? Parrots are known to be extremely clean birds.
The best models on the market
On sale you can find stands of various form factors. Some models are expanded horizontally, others are expanded vertically, and others are proprietary solutions for specific cells. The overwhelming majority of brands on the domestic market are ParrotsLab (Russia) and Trixie (Germany).
Best solutions based on consumer reviews:
- Trixie 5659 (42 x 44 x 44 cm).
- PL3037 (40 x 36 x 25 cm).
- Trixie 5655 (34 x 26 x 25 cm).
- PL3023 (40 x 25 x 36 cm).
- PL3011 (40 x 24 x 31 cm).
All these products are made from environmentally friendly wood. The material is properly processed, the accessories are securely fastened, and the stands themselves are easy to maintain.
Important information
Play accessories should bring maximum benefit to your pet. To do this, follow the recommendations:
- Buy toys that are designed specifically for budgies. If you make them yourself, consider the size of the bird. Toys must match the parameters of the bird so that it is comfortable and safe for him to play with them.
- It is necessary to alternate play items, otherwise your pet will get bored with them (you can hide some and take out others).
- The cage should have plenty of free space, so do not place many toys in it.
- When placing play objects, do not forget about safety: the bird should not catch them when moving or get confused in them.
- Wash and clean toys in a timely manner.
- Remove broken objects from the parrot immediately to prevent injury.
Which toys are better to choose?
Pet stores offer a wide range of different toys that differ in size, purpose, shape and price. The main thing is that the accessories are safe for the pet. It is more expedient to divide the stand into zones, where to place the corresponding toys - for physical or intellectual training.
Swing
It has been noticed that all birds, including budgies, love to spend time on swings. This is one of the most common accessories for a gaming stand. When choosing a swing, you should clarify which birds it is intended for. A budgerigar, due to its size, will be difficult to control on solutions for large individuals, such as a macaw or a African gray.
Bells
These can be simple rattles or interactive pendants. The first ones are inexpensive and will only amuse your pet with their sound. While interactive accessories contribute to the development of intelligence. For example, in order for a toy to make a sound, a parrot needs to push it or press a button.
Rings
Equipment of this kind develops the physical component of the bird. Parrots love to hang upside down or tumble through a ring. On sale you can find both static options, fixed to the frame of the stand, and dynamic ones, where the accessory is suspended on a chain or rope.
Balls
Budgerigars are not averse to chasing the ball around the play area. To develop intellectual abilities, you can additionally buy something like a basketball basket with an interactive effect. As soon as the ball is in it, a sound signal is heard.
Stairs
Parrots love to jump on the bars inside the cage, and if there are a lot of bars, then the bird will get more pleasure. It is also important to choose an accessory taking into account the size of the pet. Too large options are not suitable for budgies.
This is just a small part of the toys that pet stores offer. The choice largely depends on the budget and preferences of the owner himself. Budgerigars will definitely try everything that is offered to them. The only question is whether the bird will like the toy. But this can only be verified experimentally, because the character of all birds is different.
It is also useful to read: Aviary for budgies
Placing in a cage
You have made or purchased many toys. Some of them are large in size. Now they need to be placed correctly in the cage. Remember, it is not recommended to overload your pet’s house with additional accessories. A perch and 1-2 toys are required. It is not recommended to place anything else in the cage of entertainment elements.
Place these accessories as close to the wall (front or back) as possible. The middle of the house should remain free so that the wavy friend can flutter from one perch to another. It is recommended to attach toys to the roof of the chirping house.
Change additional elements from time to time so that the parrot does not lose interest in fun.
Where to buy a toy and at what price
You should buy any accessories for pets in trusted offline or online stores, preferably in branded ones. This segment is filled with cheap Chinese consumer goods made from low-quality plastic. The latter emits toxic fumes that are poisonous to the animal.
Branded inventory is always accompanied by permits: certificates of conformity, specifications, etc. When choosing accessories for a gaming stand, it is better to give preference to wooden solutions rather than plastic ones.
As for the cost, it all depends on the size of the toy, its shape, purpose and brand. For example, a simple staircase from ParrotsLab can be bought for 200 rubles, while for similar equipment from Trixie you will have to pay 500 rubles.
Do you buy toys for your parrot?
Not really
Why do you need a carrier for parrots?
A carrier is a temporary home for a bird in which it can feel comfortable during transportation. It would seem, why is it needed?
The cage, the permanent home of poultry, is usually of impressive size. These dimensions sometimes do not allow for transfer from one room to another. There is no need to talk about a long journey, for example, a train trip - it is completely inconvenient.
It would seem that a trained bird can be safely carried in your hands. What will prevent the owner from holding the pet in his hands during a trip to the clinic?
Yet, various circumstances can cause the bird to be injured, shocked, or even fly away. A carrier for a parrot will provide a “homely”, familiar environment and limit the movement of the bird, thereby depriving it of the opportunity to fly away. Mental and physical health will not be affected during transportation. But isn’t this all that a caring poultry farmer needs?
How to make your own playground
Play areas for budgies can be built on your own. No specific carpentry skills are needed here. The main thing is to carry out the calculations correctly, select environmentally friendly material and carefully process it.
Let's look at the process step by step.
Tools
Things will go much faster if you use a power tool rather than hand tools. But in the absence of the first, it is quite possible to get by with the second. The only critical point will be the time spent with a similar result.
Required tools:
- jigsaw;
- screwdriver;
- roulette;
- wood screws and drills for them;
- sandpaper.
Material
The basis of the structure can be either a sheet of plywood or a wooden board. It is better to give preference to the latter, because it is noticeably heavier, and therefore more stable. Otherwise, the plywood will have to be attached to the interior items.
The base needs legs to prevent it from scratching the surface. The hardware store has a huge selection for any scenario, from conventional bearings to advanced rubber options. The bars can be made from branches of the above-mentioned trees. It is better not to use glue, preferring self-tapping screws or twine.
Creating a stand
There is no need to reinvent the wheel in such endeavors. All you need to do is draw/scan a diagram from a store display you like.
Fortunately, each proprietary solution is equipped with a detailed assembly manual, where all dimensions and proportions are indicated.
If there is none, then a tape measure with a pencil and a sheet of paper will solve the problem.
Similar instructions are also available in digital format, presented on the website of the seller or manufacturer of the gaming area. All that remains is to cut out the parts from the available materials according to the diagram and fasten them with self-tapping screws.
All structural elements must be thoroughly sanded using sandpaper. Parts should not have burrs or sharp corners.
Tips for making your own stand in the video:
Choosing the optimal type of nesting site
So, let's look at 3 types of nesting houses for parrots. A vertical housing is characterized by a high location of the entrance, which increases the likelihood of damage to eggs by birds. But the chicks cannot fall out of it.
In a horizontal house, the eggs will be reliably protected, in addition, the grown chicks will look out of it and watch with interest what is happening in the room. Parrots will really like the combined nest box, because it combines the advantages of the previous options. Such a dwelling is spacious enough and convenient for raising a large number of chicks.
Anyone can make a house for budgies with their own hands.
Simple vertical house
It is best to make a vertical house for budgies with your own hands from hardwood boards, the thickness of which is no more than 20 mm. First you need to carefully cut out the front, back and side walls of the box. All parts must be the same length and width! The standard dimensions of a home for a pair of budgies are 15 x 15 x 25 cm. Now you can connect the walls of the future home with nails. The bottom of a smooth board should fit them perfectly. To prevent the female from scattering eggs and small chicks along the bottom of the nesting house, it is recommended to make a slight depression in it.
The diameter of the tap hole (inlet) in the front wall of the box is 50 mm. It can be cut using a drill. It is also worth making cutouts. After all, fresh air is very important for the full development of eggs and chicks. It is advisable to attach a piece of plywood inside the nest box as a lip to protect the eggs. Otherwise, the parrot risks damaging them.
It is necessary to drill a hole under the finished taphole to fix a short perch. This is done to make it convenient for birds to enter the home. After all the structural parts are connected to each other, the box must be covered with a lid. A simple and convenient nesting box for parrots is ready! You can secure it to the cage using wire or hooks.
Combined nesting house
A nest box of a combined type is suitable for large budgies. Such a dwelling is quite spacious, so the female does not risk damaging the clutch, and the growing chicks will not be able to leave it prematurely. To make it you will need the same materials as for the vertical house. The height of the combined nesting box is at least 20 cm, and the internal size of the bottom is 22 x 15 cm. The entrance with a perch is located 2.5 cm from the ceiling and front wall. Inside the nest box you need to make a step 3 cm high so that the parrots can comfortably enter it. Do not forget that you need to make a round depression at the bottom for eggs and chicks.
It is recommended to equip such a nesting box with a hinged lid. This way, it will be possible to carry out a daily inspection of the box and remove dirt in a timely manner. The removable cover can be installed using hinges and screws.
Horizontal nest box
How to make a horizontal type nest for budgerigars? It is no secret that this type of nest box is very convenient for the female and her offspring. Kids will be able to look out of it and watch the adult birds with interest. In fact, a horizontal dwelling is designed in the same way as a vertical one.
In the process of making such a nest, you will need the same wooden boards, plywood and nails. From a wooden board you need to carefully cut 2 rectangles measuring 25 x 15 cm, which will serve as the front wall and bottom of the home. Then cut out the side walls in the same way. The recommended size is 15 x 14 cm. Use a sheet of plywood to make a back wall (23 x 15 cm) and a lid (25 x 15 cm) for the house. Using nails, fasten the front wall and the bottom of the future nesting box, then attach the side walls to the edges.
When the base of the dwelling is ready, you can begin drilling the taphole. Its diameter is 50 mm. Just below the entrance, use a drill to make a hole for the perch. How to make a removable nesting cover without using metal hinges? Drill several holes along the upper edge of the back wall at equal distances from each other. The same holes should be drilled along the edge of the box roof. The main thing is that the holes coincide with each other. Now, using rope, secure the roof to the base of the nest box.
The bottom of the box can be divided into 2 parts by attaching a wooden strip in the center. Thanks to this, small chicks will not be able to crawl close to the entrance hole.
How to teach a bird to play
Parrots excel at imitation. If, for example, you start fiddling with a bell or launching some kind of interactive toy, then the pet will show curiosity , realizing that if a person can use it, then this fun will not harm him.
This way you can guide the bird through all the game accessories. Birds, just like people, are interested in some things and simply ignore others. You can only find out what your pet likes through experience.
Training
Parrots are very curious pets, who at the same time are quite cowardly. They are very wary of new things and may shy away from a new toy at first. If the bird saw how the owner built the site with his own hands, by the time construction is completed he will not be afraid of the new structure. The pet should be gradually introduced to the new “play space”. If the bird sees that the owner himself is touching the swing or ringing the bell, he will independently go to check what has aroused such interest of the owner.
Pros and cons of a purchasing platform
Not everyone has the time, desire and skills to build a high-quality gaming complex. The easiest way is to buy a parrot stand at a large pet store or online. Companies that manufacture equipment for pets offer a variety of designs. The finished platforms are made taking into account the breed of bird and its dimensions.
Advantages of purchased stands:
- carefully processed parts (straight cuts, polished surfaces);
- environmentally friendly materials;
- safe fasteners and components;
- Possibility of choosing a design - floor, tabletop, hanging.
If you don’t like any of the ready-made models, you can order a platform from the workshop by agreement. True, such work will cost more than a standard product.
Some advantages of purchased playgrounds for parrots are also disadvantages: smooth slats, devoid of bark, give the stand an ostentatious, toy-like appearance. A beautiful, but low-functional model, it seems as if it was intended for exhibition, and not for active use. The elements are connected to each other impeccably, there are no unnecessary protrusions, everything is orderly. There is no natural chaos of natural branches, no place to hide. Even if such a platform interests a bird, it will only be for a short time.
Ladder of branches
Branches of fruit trees are suitable for this. Your pet will not only move around on it, but also sharpen its beak on natural elements, and not on plastic toys sold in stores, which may be too hard .
When choosing material for stairs, it is better to find several large blocks. Through holes are drilled at their ends to make it possible to hang the ladder using natural rope.
With good imagination, you can build a whole “town” from tree branches of different sizes, consisting of ladders and swings of different sizes. Its base is a rectangle. The structures are fastened with twine made from natural ingredients or wood glue.
Ladder chain
It can be made using an old thick chain, into the link of which wooden sticks of different sizes are inserted . Each stick must fit tightly into the link to avoid falling out. You can attach it to the top of the cage using a hook made of wire.
The end of the stick and the hooks should not have anything sharp!
Using the ladder chain you made, your pet will climb and hang on it. You can add to such a toy a mirror from an old powder compact, in which a hole is drilled and attached to a thin wire. To protect against possible injuries, beads of different colors are used, strung on this wire.
