Allee
Well-known member
Start with the base and make it fit the bird. Plastic embroidery hoops will work for smaller birds. You can cut the hoop and add a natural perch for tiny toes. Stainless steel rings for macramé or dream catchers are good for bigger swings. Wrap the ring with parrot safe cotton rope to make the ring wider.
Terry's swings are lighter and even easier to make. The base is the smallest size hoola hoop you can buy. Remove the section of the hoop were it is put together and remove any rattles inside. Drill four holes at each end of the hoop and scrub and sanitize the plastic. Use zip ties to pull the ends together and clip the ties as close as possible. It's a good time to attach the lock ring and a chain to hang your swing. You can put two swings together for a figure eight swing to hang from the ceiling. Use extra fleece strips around the top of the swing to cover the zip ties.
Use 100% polyester fleece sold at most craft stores. Look for the warning that tells you the fleece is NOT treated with fire retardant. I've never seen a bolt of fleece without the warning. Wash your cloth like you wash any material that comes in contact with a beak.
Use really sharp scissors, pinking shears make the crinkled edges, cut strips of fabric, no need to measure. Random sizes make fluffier swings. Let your parrot help, they like to steal the strips for their own projects. Pretend you want the stolen pieces back, that makes it more fun for the thieves. Start tying knots and pushing them tight until your swing is completely covered. I looped the strips at the bottom instead of tying. Cut and save extra strips to repair the swing after your parrot makes the swing his own. If the parrot really likes his toy, have fun taking it away for repairs. You can use strip to repair hanging toys too.
See, easy, especially with lots of help from your parrot. Can't wait to see your creations and the swings Terry makes for her other Fids.
Terry's swings are lighter and even easier to make. The base is the smallest size hoola hoop you can buy. Remove the section of the hoop were it is put together and remove any rattles inside. Drill four holes at each end of the hoop and scrub and sanitize the plastic. Use zip ties to pull the ends together and clip the ties as close as possible. It's a good time to attach the lock ring and a chain to hang your swing. You can put two swings together for a figure eight swing to hang from the ceiling. Use extra fleece strips around the top of the swing to cover the zip ties.
Use 100% polyester fleece sold at most craft stores. Look for the warning that tells you the fleece is NOT treated with fire retardant. I've never seen a bolt of fleece without the warning. Wash your cloth like you wash any material that comes in contact with a beak.
Use really sharp scissors, pinking shears make the crinkled edges, cut strips of fabric, no need to measure. Random sizes make fluffier swings. Let your parrot help, they like to steal the strips for their own projects. Pretend you want the stolen pieces back, that makes it more fun for the thieves. Start tying knots and pushing them tight until your swing is completely covered. I looped the strips at the bottom instead of tying. Cut and save extra strips to repair the swing after your parrot makes the swing his own. If the parrot really likes his toy, have fun taking it away for repairs. You can use strip to repair hanging toys too. See, easy, especially with lots of help from your parrot. Can't wait to see your creations and the swings Terry makes for her other Fids.
