How Can I Encourage Baxter to Forage?

[GreatBlue320]

Hi Everyone!

I've been trying to get Baxter more interested in foraging. I've created some of my own, very simple foraging toys and recently purchased a small creative foraging box (see link).

Creative Foraging Horizontal Dispenser, Small

I made a very deep tear in the cardboard so Baxter could see his most favorite treat in the box. He worked on ripping the cardboard for about 30 seconds and then completely ignored the entire thing.

Any suggestions on how I can get my lazy forager more interested? Should I just leave the foraging box in his cage and let him discover it on his own?

 

[Mimsy01]

Foo didn't really understand toys or foraging when I got her and she still is not super enthusiastic.

We started super simple. I have a hanging coconut, kinda like this: Prevue Tropical Teasers Tiki Hut Bird Toy - Hanging Bird Toy and Dangling Bird Toy from petco.com

that I just put a few of fave things in, like sunflower seeds. Once she got comfortable with it, I started burying them with small toys she is interested in. She likes straws and little paper things. So tied straws, pieces of milkshake straws, construction paper, wine corks ect.

Then moved to cardboard boxes, with no tops at all. So she could clearly see the prize and just crawl in and get it. Then we started the burying again, just like the coconut.
She will tear apart a cardboard box now, even if it might be empty.

We are talking about 4 years of this sort of thing to get to just there. I think if they were not shown the fun of it all at a young age it just takes a long time convincing them.

I'd say it's worth it. Any kind of self entertainment is good imo

 

[Flboy]

I have a bucket of plastic bottle caps that I keep on the counter. I throw a few sunflower seeds mixed in. This works for JoJo.

 

[chris-md]

Shawna, I posted on this thread exactly how I got Parker to start foraging. It was super simple.

http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/57455-ziggys-poor-wings.html

Irony being that Parker was enjoying a sealed toilet paper roll with almond slivers as I was typing this.

 

[GreatBlue320]

Great suggestions, everyone! Thanks! I think I am trying to get too advanced too quickly. Going to go super simple for now.

 

[Sheeji]

Everything bird safe is a potential toy. We esp love take out drink holders, so much can be done with them I currently have one hanging in the middle if the cage, egg cartons can be cut into individual cups and tied together with bird safe string, kitchen rolls, paper cups. Just leave them in the cage with little bit of pellets, seeds, grain, dried chillies, coconut or any dried fruit and eventually they will explore.
Have fun

 

[Birdman666]

I got a bunch of those dollar store mini wooden birdhouses... and stuffed food in the holes, and then hung them strategically all over the playstands and cages.

Wooden chew toys you can eat!

Those were a hit. Until the dollar store ran out of them...

Forraging around here is a little different. It's more like, sneak into the other bird's cage and swipe his/her best goodies without getting caught...

Musical cages. Musical food bowls.

 

[Christinenc2000]

Grapevine Wreath. I have to refill it every other day with nuts and dried fruit. Stuff to play with. I even have a few Co-Workers that will do it when bored at work.

 

[Aquila]

Coffee filters! Fill with shredded newspaper and some treats or food, all my birds (luckily!) have gone for it. I tie closed with a little cotton yarn or butcher's twine.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Shawna, you got some AWESOME ideas/advice already! Here, check these out, Baxter may like some of these:
http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/57830-chew-toy-spare-parts.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/23756-diy-foraging-tube.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-toys/50163-new-foraging-toys-lots-pics.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/52582-new-homemade-foraging-box.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/43665-wiffle-ball-foraging-toy-tutorial.html

 

[GreatBlue320]

I'm going to try many of these ideas - thanks so much everyone!

Baxter makes me laugh because he is absolutely the LAZIEST forager I've ever seen! I will show him I'm putting a pine nut (his favorite) just out of reach inside a shreddable cardboard foraging refill and he will try to get it for all of 5 seconds and give up!

I even try to simplify the whole idea by gently wrapping a nutriberry in a piece of phonebook paper, leaving an opening so he can see the nutriberry is hiding just inside the very easy-to-shred phonebook paper and he just looks at me as if he is saying, "Seriously, Mom? That's just WAY too much work."

 

[Sheeji]

Just be patient. Baxter is still little isn't he?