Keep a parrot busy

[DPT]

Hello guys.

I was wondering how your all keeping your parrot busy when they are in their cages. See as most of you know, i own 4 african greys, and 2 of them just sits and scream for my attention all day. For about a year ago, there wasnt any problems at all. They were playing all day, an just enjoying to be in their cage. Their cage is really big, and i build it on my own.

My question is, how do you keep your parrots busy, while they are in their cage. No matter what toy, and how much toys they got, all ther care about is to get my attention. So if you got any tips, please discribe it to me.

Thanks, Martin

Ps. I hope you understand my english, im doing my best

 

[greycloud]

Hi Martin, I have 3 greys and a cockatoo. Thankfully they do enjoy toys! If they are calling calling for your attention constantly it is important to evaluate the reason why. Are they getting lots of out of cage time that helps in using up some of that excess energy? Besides chew toys and foot toys, which are a favorite with greys, do you provide foraging opportunities in their cage. These are little boxes, or wrapped paper and coffee filters filled with very favorites yummy treats that they have to work at to find the treats. Their reward is eating those yummies.
You need to look at when they are starting to scream. Is it a certain time of day? Are you in or out of their sight? If you are out of sight, sometimes they are flock calling and just need to be reassured as to where you are. When out of their cage do they interact with each other? Do they play and fly around? All of these will help use that built up energy and frustration.

 

[Birdzhaven]

I know how you feel, I like the birds to be busy when they are in their cages. Lately I have become a big fan of pine cones. They are especially popular with our Timnehs, Congos and Brown-necks.

Ponderosa Pine Cones – Great Foot Toys for Parrots | Life at Birdzhaven

I hope they work for you! Some of your birds may make strange at first but once they are on to them, they love them!

 

[_Cass_]

I don't know exactly what your asking, but I change Toulouses toys around once a week (I put new ones in, move them around, and take old ones out). I have a few different foraging toys, a dish in her cage full of foot toys, and hide treats around her cage to keep her busy. Toulouse also gets alot of time out of the cage, and and I do target flying with her to tire her out. When I am not at home, I turn on th eradio for her to listen to .

 

[Spiritbird]

Greys need almost constant enrichment stimulation because they are the brains of the parrots. All that has been suggested is good. You can make toys so easily out of anything that is safe. I will give you a link for an enrichment book you can print out (lots of pages) with some really great ideas. What is their exercise? They can wing flap if they are clipped or fly if not. It really does not matter how large the cage is they still need exercise and time out of the cage with you several times a day. http://www.parrotenrichment.com/images/PEAB_V1.pdf

 

[BirdyMomma]

I just made a makeshift toy out of a soft flour tortilla and some fresh veggies. I sliced the veggies up, rolled them in the tortilla, fastened it shut by spearing it with a green bean, and hung it in Bacci's cage. He seems pretty happy with it!