New homemade foraging box!

RavensGryf · Mar 25, 2015

It's been so long since I've actually had the time and energy for this, but I'm glad I had a little break to make something for the boys.

I was at the UPS store the other day, and while I was there I saw these great boxes! Different sizes and shapes. They were so much less expensive than if they were sold as bird products. The pics below, this box was 5"x5" and a little over 3" deep. It was only $1.50. I got a large box as a new toy box for Raven since he finally destroyed his old one, and it was $5.00.

The box when closed

Opened...

Then, the best part is... the toys inside are strung together and tied in the box so they never fall out and go under the grate!

There are also a couple big chunks of soft Balsa wood fastened in the bottom. I'm sure they'll love it. Robin needs one now

.

Allee · Mar 25, 2015

Julie, what a great toy idea!! I love that the toys are actually attached!

Sheesh, my flock is still suffering from extreme cage envy now that Griffin's in his new aluminum condo! I'm not showing them the toy box photos. They have a plastic tub of toy parts and a delayed promise from Mom.

getwozzy · Mar 25, 2015

So Awesome! I love that they're all strung together- I get tired of picking toys out of the bottom pan [emoji51]

4dugnlee · Mar 25, 2015

That is just awesome!!! I hope you don't mind if I use your idea!

RavensGryf · Mar 25, 2015

Thanks!!

Leanna, absolutely! Ideas in the DIY forum are to share

. I was also getting tired of collecting smaller toys off the bottom tray and having to clean the poop off them!

Puck · Mar 25, 2015

That is a FANTASTIC idea! Loving it so much!

Lullx · Mar 25, 2015

Oooh that's amazing! Definitely trying this out sometime!
My guys usually play with toys outside of the cage, so I can do a treasure chest of removable treats and toys.

Question, if I may: Is paper mache safe for birds to chew on?
Craft stores have the cutest little paper mache chests and houses and letters... And a lot of other things that in theory would make awesome toy parts, but I didn't want to pick any up because I wasn't certain if that material would be safe for my monsters.

robopetz · Mar 25, 2015

Fantastic one, great idea.

Frumpydumple · Mar 26, 2015

That's amazing. Mildred would love one.

Dopey · Mar 26, 2015

Love it. You come up with some great ideas.

Birdman666 · Mar 26, 2015

And the best part is, these types of toys hold their attention for hours at a time without being expensive...

I make mine out of soda 12 pack cartons.

Christinenc2000 · Mar 26, 2015

Thanks for the tip on the 12 pack cartons. I tried it and it works like a charm. Used Sissal to tie it to the side of the cage and he enjoys preening the rope as much as destroying the box.

Never thought about the UPS boxes. They get thrown away here at work. I now have 4 at my desk with the printed label taken off

Thanks

Birdman666 · Mar 26, 2015

Yep!

Fedex boxes are free as well... And those seal up nice and tight, so they have to "break into them" to see what's inside... Talk about triggering birdie OCD! I am 100% focused on tearing this thing up.

I also use those dollar store pine bird houses. Those hold up a little longer than cardboard. Stuff peanuts and nutriberries in the little hole. Then it's a chew toy, as well as a food treat container...

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE TO HOLD THEIR ATTENTION...

Like this one... THIS IS LITTLE BIRD HEAVEN...

Dopey · Mar 26, 2015

Birdman666 said:
Yep!

Fedex boxes are free as well... And those seal up nice and tight, so they have to "break into them" to see what's inside... Talk about triggering birdie OCD! I am 100% focused on tearing this thing up.

I also use those dollar store pine bird houses. Those hold up a little longer than cardboard. Stuff peanuts and nutriberries in the little hole. Then it's a chew toy, as well as a food treat container...

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE TO HOLD THEIR ATTENTION...

Like this one... THIS IS LITTLE BIRD HEAVEN...

Man I knew those bird houses were good for something.

Christinenc2000 · Mar 26, 2015

Thanks a bunch Julie I at least have a idea what to do now

Rain this weekend so will have lots of time

Minimaker · Mar 26, 2015

That is completely adorable. Now tell me how to get Sailor used to objects like this, because she would be quite sure these small plastic objects are out to DESTROY her. Any new brightly colored plastic foot toy is the devil, and it must be hissed at and attacked with lightening quick beak death jabs, followed by a quick retreat with a foot up to ward off possible retaliation attacks by said objects. War feathers up, beak wide open.

If you haven't guessed my big girl is phobic.

Christinenc2000 · Mar 26, 2015

Any new toys I bring in that are not what BB is use to........... I have to place near the cage for a day or so then they can enter the cage or play gym.

The new forage toy is a grapevine wreath . I stick nuts and dried fruit and some bottle tops in it. He tolerated it hanging on the outside of the cage and now I have one inside and outside. He loves it .

Birdman666 · Mar 26, 2015

Minimaker said:
That is completely adorable. Now tell me how to get Sailor used to objects like this, because she would be quite sure these small plastic objects are out to DESTROY her. Any new brightly colored plastic foot toy is the devil, and it must be hissed at and attacked with lightening quick beak death jabs, followed by a quick retreat with a foot up to ward off possible retaliation attacks by said objects. War feathers up, beak wide open.

If you haven't guessed my big girl is phobic.

Startle training improves that one over time. Sally was afraid of her own shadow when I got her. It took about four months of 4-5 hours per day working with her to get her over it... BUT SHE TURNED INTO ONE OF THE BEST BIRDS I EVER HAD.

Give it time. She'll get past it!

Birdman666 · Mar 26, 2015

Christinenc2000 said:
Any new toys I bring in that are not what BB is use to........... I have to place near the cage for a day or so then they can enter the cage or play gym.

The new forage toy is a grapevine wreath . I stick nuts and dried fruit and some bottle tops in it. He tolerated it hanging on the outside of the cage and now I have one inside and outside. He loves it .

YEP. EXACTLY RIGHT!

Same deal with Sally. First outside on the balcony. (It couldn't even be inside the house.) Then, a few days later, just inside the door. Then a few days after that the other side of the couch, close to her cage. Then, leaning up against her cage.

Then, let her investigate and explore it on her own. Just an object... I can attack it, and it doesn't even try to fight back. And, hey, is that a bird treat I see?! Oh, crap, there's a bunch of them...

Now I'll wipe my beak on this thing...

Looks like it's good for chewing too...

Dad doesn't seem to mind if I chew on it...

MUST BE FOR ME!

Go to hang it up in the cage: IT'S MINE!!! HEY GIVE THAT BACK!!! GET AWAY FROM IT!!! DON'T TOUCH IT!!!

Yep... that would be the pattern.

Until the day the go straight to I SAW IT FIRST!! THAT'S MINE!!!

That's when you know they're cured...

Birdman666 · Mar 26, 2015

Christinenc2000 said:
The new forage toy is a grapevine wreath . I stick nuts and dried fruit and some bottle tops in it. He tolerated it hanging on the outside of the cage and now I have one inside and outside. He loves it .

SWEEPEA LOVES THOSE, BY THE WAY... I get those at the dollar store too.

New homemade foraging box!

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