Destructive behaviour

[Crayfish066]

I've had my IRN for over half a year now and I am still having
some issues with him that really prevent me from allowing him
as much out of cage time as I would like.

He has his own toys but he'd much rather chew on and destroy
everything else when let out of his cage. Him destroying my possessions
is only a secondary worry really, my main issue is that I worry about the
things he could be ingesting and because of this I really have to limit his
out of cage time because I can't chase after him for hours.

It's not really an issue of just removing things either because he chews on
almost everything.

 

[SailBoat]

It maybe a combination of issues.

Start with what you are providing. Most owners provide toys that are too hard to turn into little pieces. Look for very softwood. Wood that a fingernail can easily dent. Consider paper products like newspaper folded several times, etc...

I get the impression that you do not have Step-Up in place and that the relationship is still a work in progress. You having to chase you Parrot around indicates that work still needs to be completed.

I'm not sure who told you that working with Parrots is quick and easy, as you can see it is not.

 

[Crayfish066]

It maybe a combination of issues.

Start with what you are providing. Most owners provide toys that are too hard to turn into little pieces. Look for very softwood. Wood that a fingernail can easily dent. Consider paper products like newspaper folded several times, etc...

I get the impression that you do not have Step-Up in place and that the relationship is still a work in progress. You having to chase you Parrot around indicates that work still needs to be completed.

I'm not sure who told you that working with Parrots is quick and easy, as you can see it is not.

This probably sounds like a stupid question but is it okay for parrots to
eat the wood they're given to chew on or should I stop him if I see this
happening?

He steps up although I usually offer him either a stick to stand on or my
arm because IRNs don't usually like interacting with hands much.

I never thought working with parrots would be "quick and easy" but it
is my first time owning a bird so I feel I've still got a lot to learn.

 

[SailBoat]

Parrots very rarely 'eat' the wood. Its more an means of using energy and a bit of nest building combined with just having fun.

 

[Crayfish066]

Parrots very rarely 'eat' the wood. Its more an means of using energy and a bit of nest building combined with just having fun.

Thanks. He has some wooden blocks at the moment but he seems to
lose interest in those when outside of his cage because they are easily dropped.

Are wooden baby toys safe to give him? I've purchased larger wooden parrot
toys for him before but they have a bad habit of coming covered in dry bits
of glue or being unsafe in some other way. I get the impression that many of
these pet product companies don't take safety seriously in the same way that
I'd expect from something aimed at a small child.

 

[LordTriggs]

yup, baby toys should be safe as they're food grade, just keep an eye out for places beaks can get caught ETC

 

[Crayfish066]

yup, baby toys should be safe as they're food grade, just keep an eye out for places beaks can get caught ETC

Thanks, would I be right to assume coloured wood would be fine for him too
if it was safe for a baby child?

 

[bigfellasdad]

sounds like Enzo, my house is destroyed when comparing to pre Enzo days.

As mentioned give him things she can chew on, I have recently started buying some parrot chews that have honey and seeds (i think) but the chew itself is on a soft wood strip and Enzo loves to eat the treat then destroy the stick. It will take her 10mins start to finish to turn it into tiny bits.

As you are also UK no dubt you could get the same treats, ill post up tomorrow the name of them.

 

[wrench13]

Parrots have their favorite chew toys for awhile, and then they just stop being interested in them. Example, for months and months Salty loved to chew up paper towel rolls. Then, one day he just stopped even looking at them. The key is to offer different types of toys, so some wood blocks, some paper type toys, some leather toys, some safe plastic one, etc. And change them up often.

 

[Crayfish066]

Parrots have their favorite chew toys for awhile, and then they just stop being interested in them. Example, for months and months Salty loved to chew up paper towel rolls. Then, one day he just stopped even looking at them. The key is to offer different types of toys, so some wood blocks, some paper type toys, some leather toys, some safe plastic one, etc. And change them up often.

Leather toys? Could you elaborate please?

 

[Violet_Diva]

You can buy vegetable leather in strips or in shapes and can make toys with them

I started a thread a little while ago which features some toys which can be chewed and shredded easily.

http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-toys/73312-how-keep-birds-busy-cage-toys-foraging.html

Maybe you might find some inspiration there



Here's Gerry on some seagrass with a vegetable leather square attached.

Please excuse the unsightly mini vacuum cleaner under the tree-stand...
what am I saying?!? Y'all have birds - You know why it's there