Deconstructing a play stand & Designing a new one!

[Fiwi]

I bought this Prevue Hendrix Playstand for Emmett and I hate it! Emmett doesn't seem fond of it either since he chooses to stand in one place most of the time! The worst part about it is that he manages to prefer to stand in one or two places so that when he poops it goes right into his food or water bowl. YUCK!

I might be able to return it, but then I thought I would take it apart and use the base and create something really awesome for him.

I would appreciate any ideas from my creative forum mates! I want to utilize some branches, swings and rope spirals at minimum. So, let's hear your suggestions and I will keep you posted on my progess!

PS I'm pretty handy with power tools of all kinds, so don't hold back!

 

[Enjru]

I suspect you'd have to do a lot of metal cutting and welding and respraying to make this playstand parrot friendly.

The top "square", with the wooden dowel and the three toy hangers, are far too high, and this just means everything below that is just going to waste (because the parrot will prefer the higher ground). So, I'd cut off that top "square" at the bases of the two vertical metal parts which are holding the long wooden dowel and this top "square" section up (where the two vertical metal parts join onto the horizontal ends of each of the two curved bars). I'd also remove the two ladders (and that arch) because you don't want to make it easy for the parrot to get to the top bar. I'd weld the two vertical legs of that top "square" section (which you've already cut off) onto the low horizontal bar which is facing the viewer, where the bases of the two ladders used to be attached. Now get rid of the two short wooden dowels and the two bowls, because no parrot is going to spend any time that low down on the playstand, and the two bowls are just going to get pooped on.

So, what you're left with, is two facing panels where you can hang toys: one panel on the far side with 5 toy hangers, and the second panel on the viewer's side with 3 toy hangers, and a swing hanging in between the two panels.

 

[roxynoodle]

I would first relocate the bowls to the top perch so he doesn't poop in them anymore. A rope swing from the top might be nice, but then it might interfere with the perch below it unless you can extend it out some. Or maybe put it where that wood swing is if he doesn't like that one. I would probably try to add a boing or a rope perch he can use to climb up and down.

I don't know how playful Ekkies are? Maybe they do like to mostly sit there and chill out?

 

[Fiwi]

I suspect you'd have to do a lot of metal cutting and welding and respraying to make this playstand parrot friendly.

The top "square", with the wooden dowel and the three toy hangers, are far too high, and this just means everything below that is just going to waste (because the parrot will prefer the higher ground). So, I'd cut off that top "square" at the bases of the two vertical metal parts which are holding the long wooden dowel and this top "square" section up (where the two vertical metal parts join onto the horizontal ends of each of the two curved bars). I'd also remove the two ladders (and that arch) because you don't want to make it easy for the parrot to get to the top bar. I'd weld the two vertical legs of that top "square" section (which you've already cut off) onto the low horizontal bar which is facing the viewer, where the bases of the two ladders used to be attached. Now get rid of the two short wooden dowels and the two bowls, because no parrot is going to spend any time that low down on the playstand, and the two bowls are just going to get pooped on.

So, what you're left with, is two facing panels where you can hang toys: one panel on the far side with 5 toy hangers, and the second panel on the viewer's side with 3 toy hangers, and a swing hanging in between the two panels.

The good news is that most of this thing is held together by screws, so I can remove a lot of it. I already removed that skinny top toy hanger b/c Emmet kept trying to perch on it! Thanks for your suggestions!

 

[Rio Mom]

You could cover all those metal bars with sisal rope or something else bird safe to make it more interesting/comfortable to stand on. And I agree with Roxy, figure out a way to put the bowls higher.

 

[Ronald]

I built a play stand on the base of a small cage. The base resembles yours. I used 3/4" PVC and 7/8" poplar dowels. Here is the trick all of the vertical pieces are PVC. All of the horizontal pieces are dowels. Keep in mind that 7/8" dowels lightly sanded fit into a 1/2" female PVC fitting so you will need 1/2" to 3/4" adapters. You can also find 3/4" to 1/2" T and Elbow fittings. I will post a picture soon.

 

[Fiwi]

I built a play stand on the base of a small cage. The base resembles yours. I used 3/4" PVC and 7/8" poplar dowels. Here is the trick all of the vertical pieces are PVC. All of the horizontal pieces are dowels. Keep in mind that 7/8" dowels lightly sanded fit into a 1/2" female PVC fitting so you will need 1/2" to 3/4" adapters. You can also find 3/4" to 1/2" T and Elbow fittings. I will post a picture soon.

Thanks for the tips. I look forward to seeing your creation!