Some Toys and Ladders

[Chloe]

Hey!

The one with the one year old lovebird is here lol XD I am planning to get Lemon[finally named him] some more toys plus ladders that way he'll get around the cage more easier instead of climbing. And maybe getting one longer perch. Here's how it currently look in the cage, although at the moment Lemon isn't playing with any of his toys yet except he does go on the swing occasionally

At the moment:
http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/4449/0426081309aq1.jpg

I am playing to get these:
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752737
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754276 [So his nails can be trimmed]
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753054

As for treats, I'll probably try spray millet, any good brand of those treats?

For toys, not sure what else I should get him because I also want to be sure he won't get caught or get hurt from it.

Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated for a newbie! xD

Thank you!

Edit: Just noticed it's in wrong topic, can anyone move this thread to the right section please? Sorry!

[wilkiecoco]

Hi Chloe - his cage looks good. I would like to mention that lovies prefer to be as high as possible, for their sense of security and comfort. Did the cage come with a stand, or do you have a desk you can place it on, rather than on the floor?

Kiwi loves his natural wood perch - he loves to chew it and he sleep on it. I don't have the other types, so maybe someone else will have an opinion on them. They key is to get them a variety of toys, and change them every week or couple of weeks to keep things interesting for them.

You can try any brand of millet, as long as it is fresh. You can also try nutriberries and avicakes, made by Lafeber's. The nutriberries come in many different flavours, veggie, red pepper, fruit types. It is a matter of trial and error to see what Lemon likes. He may not know what to do with them in the beginning, but most of them get the hand of chewing them apart and eating the pieces they like! :) good luck!

[Chloe]

I wonder if stores sells stands, I will have to look into that, thanks!

[Quickdtoo]

Chloe, I found that my lovebird Murphy really loved toys that made noise and were easy to throw around. Plastic cat bell balls (believe it or not) and brightly colored or shiny metal bells (small enough for him to throw) were his hands down favorites.

[Flapjack]

Hi Chloe! I love that you're trying to make your new baby happy and keep him interested in his surroundings!
Lots of perches in different shapes and textures are a must. The manzanita ones are awesome and I have some in both my cages. It's really important to not have all smooth perches- not just for the nails, but for the skin on the bottom of their feet. I have natural wood, smooth manzanita, cement, sandy, and rope perches are great too.
I agree with Tim. Lovies love bright colored NOISY toys. Rattles, clangs, jingles, crinkles- you name it. And anything they can tear apart and destroy, as well. They sure are busy little buggers!
Have fun decorating!!!

[carrier]

Hi Chloe,

The key here is variety. Indeed it is trial and error with toys.

One of my boys will go crazy for hours with a destoy-toy, especially birdie-pinatas. He loves to make a mess!
Toys with bird-safe bells are nice too, but oftentimes can create little monsters who learn how to use the bell to get what they want.:rolleyes: :rofl:

Rotation is key, and there are many great websites that sell parts separately for you to make your own toys as you learn what your birdie likes best. Sometimes you don't even need to spend a lot, as birds will find common objects (buttons, beads, leather straps) fun to manipulate and play with.

Birds need stimulation, so anything that challenges them and makes them work a bit is a great option...foraging toys are a great example and they stimulate a birdie's natural instincts.

Have fun with it! I love watching my two react to new objects as they as they are introduced...they never stop amazing me and I enjoy watching them play as much as they like playing!;)

[Mummieeva]

Since everyone covered the other parts I wanted to say a comment about the perch your getting for the nails. Be sure and have ti some were the bird will go to but not stay on it all the time. Whiel they are good for nails being on it to much is not good for feet.I would make sure it is not the highest perch in the cage. I normaly have mine near the cuttle bone or water dish.



Steph

[Cindy N.]

Since everyone covered the other parts I wanted to say a comment about the perch your getting for the nails. Be sure and have ti some were the bird will go to but not stay on it all the time. Whiel they are good for nails being on it to much is not good for feet.I would make sure it is not the highest perch in the cage. I normaly have mine near the cuttle bone or water dish.
Steph

Hi,
I use Safety Pumice Perches that I hang right under water bottles. Here is a picture:

http://www.birdsafestore.com/Products/Safety-Pumice-Perch-Small__SFB-SP2.aspx

Though, a bit expensive, the perches are more comfortable for birdy feet. And my birds are always using it to groom their own beaks and don't mind standing on it at all.

Cindy

[Mummieeva]

Hmm ty for sharing Cindy I might need to get one of those.



Steph

[Toneea]

Hey all. Was wondering about the stuff I give my birds - they do have some toys but I've found that they just love natural tree branches, leaves, bark and all to destroy. Their absolute favourites are wattle and bottle brush (I know, not helpful to those not in Oz) and they have little birdie conniption fits when they see that I've gone and ravaged some tree for their benefits. :happy: And, Im the crazy bird lady, cruising the streets of town looking for prime branches to steal.... The lady at the caravan park tells all her staff members to leave me alone "She's just taking some willow..." :whistle:
Should I be giving them more toys to stimulate their minds? The branches are nice for the pure destructiveness but I'd like to make them think too. They love their swing and ropes in general. And yes, I am careful not to feed them any pesticides or sprays on branches - I wash thoroughly if I'm not sure. :)

[michael]

Hey all. Was wondering about the stuff I give my birds - they do have some toys but I've found that they just love natural tree branches, leaves, bark and all to destroy. Their absolute favourites are wattle and bottle brush (I know, not helpful to those not in Oz) and they have little birdie conniption fits when they see that I've gone and ravaged some tree for their benefits. :happy: And, Im the crazy bird lady, cruising the streets of town looking for prime branches to steal.... The lady at the caravan park tells all her staff members to leave me alone "She's just taking some willow..." :whistle:
Should I be giving them more toys to stimulate their minds? The branches are nice for the pure destructiveness but I'd like to make them think too. They love their swing and ropes in general. And yes, I am careful not to feed them any pesticides or sprays on branches - I wash thoroughly if I'm not sure. :)

As long as your sure the branches and leaves are absolutely non-toxic to birds they do make for some really great birdy entertainment. I have loads of store bought bird toys myself and most never get touched at all. Kleenex boxes, small twigs and branches, flatware, strips of natural leather, etc, seem far more attractive to my lovebird than anything else I've been forking out the green stamps for. On the other hand, I know someone who's lovebirds will play with just about ANYTHING. The moment something new reaches their territory it grabs their attention right away. Demolition is always soon to follow. You know, how about some foraging toys? Besides, sometimes I think when birds are in the midst of enjoying a good rampage they really aren't putting much thought into it. Even if it is a family heirloom :wink:.

Just in case I'd like to add a quick word of caution. Some trees along roadways or in parks may not only be sprayed with pesticides, but treated with anti fungal sprays or contaminated with road salt, creosote, and can be exposed to a host of other wonderful contaminates our automobiles or park employee's can't seem to contain. It might be worth a check with park administrators to see if any such sprays are being used as sometimes even stripping the bark and washing will not remove certain toxins absorbed into the tree itself. Also, any plastic possibly ingested by our gifted destroyers can undergo a chemical change through digestion into toxins which can be fatal. If your brushes are made of plastic you may want to keep them from your birds.