How to protect laptop cords/cables etc from beaks

[NeverBroken]

Miss Lola the U2 wants to hang out with us constantly, and we are happy to have her with us hanging out on the couch etc. But twice now, under direct supervision, she has chewed through the casing on a cord/cable. ONE bite- and she's through the casing, there's no way to like stop her in the middle of the act, it's quick and done by the time you even realize what she's doing. The obvious answer is to keep all cords away from her, but in a household where we both use our laptops on the couch many hours out of the day, that would mean she could not be with us on the couch at all while they are in use. I work on my laptop all day long, so it would be nice if she were able to hang out while I'm doing so- for me, and for her. Has anyone run into this and come up with a way to protect their cords, something to put around them perhaps?

Training suggestions on how to teach her what is and what isn't appropriate to chew on would be welcome as well. She has plenty of stuff to chew on, but she still chews what she's not supposed to. She responds to no, but by that time it's too late...

 

[SoCalWendy]

My bird likes to lick the condonsation off of a glass of ice tea or other icy beverage I might be enjoying. She then thinks it belongs to her... Ha ha ha!

Why not invest in a stand that she can use to hang out right next to you, but far enough away from her reach of any cords, etc.?

 

[NeverBroken]

LOL very cute

The stand is a good idea- thanks! That should help keep her from constantly trying to get me to pet her too. I love her company but I do need to get *some* work done!

 

[Captsteve]

The only thing that will work is to eliminate the cords or the bird from the area. The can opener on it's face is made to open things and explore. There is just no stopping it. Kinda like telling a dog not to scratch.

 

[NeverBroken]

Thanks Steve, but that's not really feasible. I'm sure there is some solution Hubby is thinking on it. Just thought I'd see if anyone had had the issue and might have a suggestion.

 

[SoCalWendy]

Hope it works out.

 

[Jowelbg]

You've got to be really vigilant. Birds just love cables. We use plastic tubing around our cables. My wife found some at Walmart, but here's some on Amazon

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Prime-Wire-Cable-Flex-Manager/dp/B000ZIKTJY"]Flex Tube Cable Manager, 1" x 5' - Amazon.com[/ame]

Our caiques are a little smaller than Lola, though. I haven't checked if the material on this one is bird safe.

It also works best if you use it. We forgot last weekend and had to go buy a new cable

 

[Betrisher]

Get some flexible plastic tubing and split it along its length. 1" aquarium hose can work, or the concertina kind of hose used for vacuum cleaners or pool tools might help too. Encase the cables inside and tape the ends.

I've had to put a very large cardboard box at the back of our TV to dissuade the Beaks from chomping on TV cables. They *know* the cables are there and still try to gain access. No matter which method you use, you'll still have to be vigilant. It's amazing how inventive these beaky guys can be!

I'd like to know a good way of stopping them from chewing the rubber gasket on the door of my fridge. *Every* time I open the door, there will be a Beak ready to attack the gasket or get in my vegetable crisper!

 

[MonicaMc]

I was thinking something along the lines of PVC? There's even clear PVC which is flexible.... not ideal and could still be chewed up, but at least you could put the wires through it for extra protection? LOL


Might want to have a bunch of foot toys, foraging toys and other babbles for Lola to play with while she's out with you!

 

[NeverBroken]

Excellent, thank you both so much! This is exactly the type of thing I need. And I will definitely still be vigilant- just hoping I can find something like this that could take the first sneaky bite so I can move Lola or distract her with something else, without permanent damage done to the actual cord.

 

[GinaF]

all of my cables are encased in PVC pipe. It's about the only thing she can't get through.

I can't help you with the fridge gasket.
How come they don't make bitter apple for beaks?

 

[NeverBroken]

Thanks Monica, that is all I'm looking for, an extra layer of protection since she's so quick and then boom, the damage is done. And yes, we need lots of fun toys in the area- working on that too! Eagerly looking through all the info out there on making your own toys, foraging toys, etc. I think I'll need to kind of set up her own little area next to the couch here where she can be with us but still have things to keep her busy and out of trouble.

 

[NeverBroken]

LOL Gina, I was just wondering the same thing, if there was anything to put on 'stuff' to make it unattractive to them, like bitter apple is used for dogs and sometimes cats- guess not, huh?

 

[MonicaMc]

There is bitter apple spray for parrots..... or there was... but I can't say it would do any good! Parrots like things that are often spicey, sweet or even sour...

Gina posted some good ideas in the following thread!
http://www.parrotforums.com/behavioral/34905-ready-set-forage.html

This website has some great recommendations, especially in their enrichment books!
Parrot Enrichment

And I've also seen some great ideas on this website!!!
CheepParrotToysNTips...Welcome!!!

 

[NeverBroken]

Awesome Monica, thanks!

 

[MikeyTN]

Long ago I had to make a concoction of mixing hot mustard and something else...don't remember what I used....When I was breeding and some parent birds were egg eaters, I had to pip a hole in the egg to drain and fill with the mixed solution back in and let them eat it. All it took was one try to get them to stop eating eggs. They never eat them again since....All I remember was hot mustard....lol....They did not like that one bit!!!

 

[Jayyj]

I tend to run the laptop on battery when I'm in the room with the bird, although occasionally I'll connect an audio cable and then vigilance is required, but at least those cables don't carry a mains charge. At the moment she'll generally taste first and I can gently move the cable elsewhere before she goes for a full chomp, and galah beaks aren't quite up there with U2s and macaws. The cables behind the television I have wrapped in a towel for the short distance they're exposed, but she's never shown any interest in them.

The laptop itself attracts quite a lot of attention...

 

[NeverBroken]

What a cutie! Yeah that's what I'm doing at this point, but as I use the computer all day for work, I'll need to be using the cord at some point and will need something to wrap around it. The different tubing that's been recommended looks like the best way to go for the laptop cord as it needs to be flexible, but PVC for other cords around the house that run along the floor is a great idea too.

Idk what it is but she is really drawn to the dang cords... and unlike Alice, there is no taste test first- just a quick chomp and the damage is done. Try to get her to chew a toy and all sorts of thinking goes into it first, but cords? Nope, she loves them! lol

Thanks again everyone

 

[Jayyj]

I've wondered much the same: why is a new toy subject to many suspicious looks and cautiousness, but laptops, tv remotes, books, loose threads on anything made of fabric and chips in the wall plaster an instant source of fascination?

 

[forbey]

For power cables, I'm with Monica ... use PVC. It is also possible to run cables low and connections to the laptops minimal. Better yet, put your electronic devices on charges in a secluded room and work off batery while around the bird ... "no cable to bite". If you have to use any other cables (ie: internet, printer, mouse, USB) the next step would be to spend some money and go with a wireless router that everything can hook up to.

Forbey