Budgerigars are very active creatures, so keeping them in a cage all the time is not recommended. But when the owner decides to release a bird, he should be careful. Birds are often interested in unattended wires, bright fabrics, and indoor plants.
To distract the bird, experts advise setting up a play area for it. Let's learn how to properly make a stand for a parrot with your own hands.
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.
Ladders, swings, ropes will help maintain physical tone
This group includes things on which a budgerigar can sit, climb, hang, and climb. As you know: movement is life. Such accessories are good to use when creating play areas for birds (both in the cage and in it). Now there is a large selection of accessories - classic ropes, bending ropes (you can set the shape and the rope will maintain it), all kinds of variations of ladders and swings.
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Small swing PL2042
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4.79 out of 5 RUB 117.00
Length 11 cm, height 10 cm.
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Steps PL2058
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3.67 out of 5 RUB 325.00
Length 22-25 cm, 8 steps.
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Rope spiral S
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4.6 out of 5 RUB 449.00
Length 158 cm, diameter 1.7 cm.
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Ladder with beads
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4 out of 5 RUB 437.00
Length including carbines 27 cm, width 7.5 cm.
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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
Stand for large parrots
Platforms for large birds are characterized by increased stability. This is achieved with the help of special weighting materials. The fittings on such stands must be durable so that powerful beaks do not cause damage to the structure.
When designing play complexes for Amazonian birds or grays, you should:
- choose the maximum dimensions of the site;
- take into account the tree species;
- plan the creation of a bird resting area;
- count on the use of powerful fasteners for the entire structure and every detail.
The strength of such a stand is tested by the birds themselves. The first few days of the site's operation are under constant human supervision. This is necessary in order to notice unreliable structural elements in time and be able to fix them immediately.
Interesting! If the pets like the area, they will not fly around the entire room and leave droppings behind them. All excrement will remain on the stand tray, from where it can be easily removed.
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
Rules for placement inside the cage
Some owners get lost when choosing items to entertain the bird, so they buy too many items and cover the inside of the cage with them. This leads to the fact that the wavy cannot move freely, which creates serious discomfort.
Therefore, the following rules are taken into account:
- toys should not restrict the pet’s movements;
- Only elements that are truly interesting to the parrot are selected, so if an item is never used by the pet, then it is advisable to remove it;
- in the center there remains a place thanks to which the bird can jump from perch to perch;
- all toys are attached to the walls or ceiling of the cage.
If you have a large cage, you can organize a kind of play area in it, leaving plenty of space for walking and sleeping.
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
Homemade devices
Often the parrot shows interest in homemade rope ladders, wooden walkways, steps, and swings. Their turn comes when purchased products become boring and no longer attract the feathered fidget. You can make new toys yourself.
How to choose materials to create fun gadgets
Budgerigars are susceptible to limb injuries and poisoning, so the materials from which toys for him will be made must be safe.
The following materials cannot be used:
- Cotton. It crumbles easily, and the bird can get entangled in the threads or swallow some of them. This leads to blockage of the esophagus and the death of the feathered pet.
- Metal products made of brass, copper, zinc. They are toxic to budgies. Also, you cannot use scraps of chains and dismountable metal products with small parts.
- All non-fruit tree species. They are often toxic to poultry. Apple, cherry, plum, and oak are suitable for making toys for a parrot.
On a note! It is prohibited to coat the finished product with paint and varnish products.
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:
Costume for baby: option 2
If there is an older child's old sweatshirt in the house that is green, yellow, blue or red, then it can be used to make a baby costume. For this it is enough:
- make a drawstring at the bottom (if there is none) and thread an elastic band;
- triangles are cut out from strips of shiny fabric of the same width in 3-4 bright colors;
- sew them along the side seams (see photo);
- on the hood they make a drawstring along the edge (if missing);
- thread a braid or elastic band;
- “feathers” cut from fabric, the same as that used for the side seams, are sewn to the seam connecting the hood to the sweatshirt;
- make a yellow beak;
- sew it to the hood;
- glue a tuft to it.
The parrot costume is complemented with bright plain tights. You can replace them with tight-fitting trousers, preferably red.
Now you know how to make a parrot costume with your own hands, and you can make an original and bright outfit for your daughter or son.
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.
