How to "Fix" it and Update

[trimblegirls]

I gave my husband a picture of a play gym and asked him to build one for Jasper. I didn't think to tell him that the levels would need to be close enough for Jasper to climb up/down on. So this is what he built.

He didn't glue anything in. Some of the arms can move around. I was thinking about somehow attaching ladders to help him out. Or nets? Can I use those orange construction nets? Any other suggestions?

Jasper is slightly interested in it. He was on the floor and found a t-shirt that had dropped. He was so into the t-shirt so I picked it up and put it on the bottom of the play gym and set him on it. He noticed the bell. He likes to break the clapper off the silver bells. It's weird because he has copper bells that he hasn't broke yet. Or maybe they're attached in a way that he can't?

Update: Took Jasper to the vet yesterday. It wasn't as traumatic for either of us as I thought it was going to be. Worrying for nothing again. I did have to towel him to get him in the cage. He screamed like he was being killed. It was the worst sound I've ever heard. Once inside the cage, he was fine. I made sure that I had treats. I thought the grapes were going to be the big hit but he only wanted pine nuts.
We did a DNA test so I'll find out if he's a he or a she next week. Not that it matters because he'll still be my good boy no matter what.
I thought he was underweight but turns out his weight is just fine - 463g. That's a relief. I was a little annoyed at him because he did just step up on the scale like no big deal. The vet did have an advantage. It was either stay in the towel or step on the perch on the scale.
The vet said that he chewed his feathers off not plucked. I'm looking at that as good news because the follicles are less likely to be damaged. He has some pin feathers coming in at his lower abdomen. We'll see if he chews them. I'm hoping he's feeling more secure that he won't.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Lovin' the Grey life and lovin' it, clearly.
I wish my ol' man would read this thread!
Yeah, Avian vets are so important... good for you.

 

[Owlet]

You could drill holes in the sides and stick wooden dowels on a spiral pattern so he can have a sort of spiral stair case xD

 

[BeatriceC]

You could use rope nets/ladders to make bridges?

Also, would your husband be willing to give up some of the details on how he made that? I can see how the PVC pipes are arranged, but what's that tray on the bottom and how is it supported? And what's the colored tape? I'm interested to see if we can make one similar but sturdy enough for Charlotte.

 

[Flboy]

You could use rope nets/ladders to make bridges?

Also, would your husband be willing to give up some of the details on how he made that? I can see how the PVC pipes are arranged, but what's that tray on the bottom and how is it supported? And what's the colored tape? I'm interested to see if we can make one similar but sturdy enough for Charlotte.

Tray is for a hot water heater(Lowes), tape is vet wrap. For the tape, amazon has a 12 pack at a great price.
If you add treat cups, use pvc end caps that your SS bowl can fit into.
One way to mount it to the tray is to drill holes that a threaded pvc coupling can fit through!

 

[MissLarissa]

I would recommend ladders. You can buy bendable ladders online so you can twist them in different inclines to make it fun. There is also sisal wrapped wires with bells attached on the end that would work great. I have a large 4-5ish foot one wrapped all over the place in my bird cage and he loves it. He also loves the sound of he cowbell attached to the end of it.

 

[trimblegirls]

You could use rope nets/ladders to make bridges?

Also, would your husband be willing to give up some of the details on how he made that? I can see how the PVC pipes are arranged, but what's that tray on the bottom and how is it supported? And what's the colored tape? I'm interested to see if we can make one similar but sturdy enough for Charlotte.

It's really not that hard. Just create the base so that it's sturdy. The pan was a washing machine pan. It was more than I thought they would be ($30) and if I had looked around probably could have found something else cheaper. I do like that it's thick enough to hold a little weight and should be able to withstand some chewing on. He just drilled 4 holes and there are Ts under it connected to the bottom. He put some screws on top to hold it down. I wanted something that Jasper could use foot toys on too. Well, in true 2 yr. old child fashion, Jasper just likes to drop the toys to the floor. I like the benefit of cleaning it instead of the floor. Well, when Jasper finally decides it's not going to eat him. He's showing some interest in the toys but is not convinced that the whole thing is a good idea.

Vet wrap is great! Sticks to itself but not sticky. Find it at most feed stores. Tractor Supply has it. My daughter first used it playing soccer to make a headband. Cheap and it worked better than any headband that I bought her. It kinda stuck to her hair with really sticking. Didn't slip at all.

 

[Jerseyjeff62]

That's really good just have to add some more tees to get the perches closer

 

[trimblegirls]

That's really good just have to add some more tees to get the perches closer

Hey......THANKS....That's better than his idea. Once he heard what I was doing, he said he'd cut it down and make them closer but I like having more perches to hang things and give Jasper more places to go.

 

[trimblegirls]

I bought 2 stainless steel bowls that I can unscrew to clean. I have a question about where to mount them. Do I have to put them where Jasper can perch to get at the food and water or can I put them on the pad? There's a spot on the pad that doesn't have a perch directly over it. I know he likes to be on the ground which is why I have a pad for foot toys. I wasn't sure which would be better. If I put them on a perch, can I put them in separate spots? I know I CAN put them in separate spots but he likes to dip his pellets in water. I don't know how frustrating it would be for him to have to go get a pellet, navigate over to the water and then back to get another pellet. I haven't seen him dip his food in water but his food bowl is on the opposite side of the cage. Once I drill a hole, there's no going back....

 

[adz1984]

Am i missing something, I can't see any photo's of this playgym.

 

[trimblegirls]

Am i missing something, I can't see any photo's of this playgym.

It's in the post, not attached. I still see it. It's kinda a big pic too.....

 

[LeaKP]

Ropes and ladders! It looks like it's going to be awesome!

 

[SassiBird]

try some natural branches on the two main verticals.