Knots

[Lesa1211]

Ok I need idea's bad. Ive been making my Too's toys for a short while now. Ive made like 3 toys. She loved them. So I went and purchased alot of stuff from an online store to make even more stuff. The problem Im having is she is extremely good at untying knots. Ive used many different sizes of rope (bird safe of course) and just when I think Ive tied the perfect knots, she unties it in a matter of 5min of it being in her cage. hide the knots? Is there a secret to this? Is there a way I could hide the knots? I dont know, Im drawing a blank here...help

 

[Mare Miller]

hmmm...cockatoos are awfully smart and I'm thinking that might be part of her enjoyment. Are you tying wooden pieces to the rope and adding more wood? Don't know how handy you are with a drill, but you could drill into the wood pieces, with a large enough bit, to hide the knot.

 

[Lesa1211]

I am drilling a hole, she just seems to move what she has to move to get to the darn knot and untie it. I just really dont want to give up making them ya know. Smart lil bird lol.

 

[stephend]

I don't know if it would ruin the bird safe properties of the material, but if you are using synthetic string like I got you could tie a knot and melt the string into a glob. If you want to try that plan you do need to research weather that would be bird safe, and you definately need to do it outside as it will release fumes which are not bird safe.

You could also just introduce a string with dozens of knots in it as a toy in and of itself.

 

[Mare Miller]

ok, what I mean is, bear with me here, I'm pretty new to making perches, (my newest project). You drill a hole through the wood and I guess depending on how far you are drilling, (1 inch, 2?), or is it less than that? If not, drill the hole to fit your twine...take a larger bit and dig down into that same hole, on both sides, just enough to hide a knot.

I also like stephend's thought, make a rope of knots...if it keeps her occupied, which I believe is the idea of the whole project...why knot?! (pun intended).

 

[stephend]

Why do you need a string in a perch?

 

[Mare Miller]

Why do you need a string in a perch?

hi stephend, if you are questioning me on my perches, I don't use string...yet. I do use a drill, though. I plan on making toys to go with my perches, eventually.

 

[Lesa1211]

I get what your saying Mare Miller. I just have to think about how I can do that for a hanging toy. Im even using vice grips to get the knots as tight as I can.

Stephend are you using the synthetic string for bird toys? I seen a string like that on dancingparrot.com. Maybe I should try that. Im going to see if I burn that will it be bird safe still....hmmm

 

[stephend]

Ok, that I understand. The best solution to your problem that I see is using an elastic material for your string. Drill a small through hole in the perch, and then drill reset holes on either side. Tie a knott in your string and feed it in the through hole. The knott should go in to the first recessed hole. You would then stretch the string out the hole and tie a second knott. If you get it positioned correctly the second knott should go into the other recessed hole.

Kia might even find the elastic string to be an interesting toy.

I would recomend contacting the makers of the Aviator Harness to find a bird safe elastic string if you need help with that. (Welcome to The Parrot University at Hartman Aviary)

And I do use synthetic string for my birds. I don't know what the material is, but I've seen it at two bird stores that work with reputable breeders and at a parrot rescue.

 

[Tarkus]

I make my birds toys using leather strips. The trick is if you're making a hanging toy soak the leather in water before tying the knots. Pull the knots as tight as you can then as the leather shrinks the knots will snug up even more.

This won't completely stop the untying but it will slow it down. It has worked for my Macaw and U2.

Since you're bird likes to undo knots you can make a foot toy by tying the same leather to a bagel or stainless ring , I double up the knots, soak the toy then let it shrink.

We call it "lots-a-knots" here and the gang loves them.

Be Big,
Alan

 

[roxynoodle]

Sounds to me like one of her favorite things to do is untie knots. I had a bird like that. Make a toy that is nothing but a ton of knots. And if she has one like that that is for the sole purpose of untying them, she may leave some other knots alone. You could also buy some stainless steel chain to make some other toys with instead of rope so they don't all get destroyed every day.

My Safe Bird Store sells SS skewers you can put toy parts on as well, so you get a few of those to put wood blocks and stuff like that on that won't get taken apart.

She is just a mechanical birdie

 

[Lesa1211]

Thanks so much for all the advice. Stepend great idea with the reset holes. I will try that. Tarkus can I ask where you get your leather. The store I just ordered from only has leather strips. Im going to try your way as well with soaking the leather in water. I just have to find the leather now.

Thanks again so much

 

[Lesa1211]

Just a FYI. I found a video on tying the strongest knot for braided line. It's actually for fisherman lol. I think I have it down pat. I'll let you all knot if it works I dont know how to post video's or I would. If someone is interested let me know how and I can post it. Looks like a really good knot!

 

[Tarkus]

Thanks so much for all the advice. Stepend great idea with the reset holes. I will try that. Tarkus can I ask where you get your leather. The store I just ordered from only has leather strips. Im going to try your way as well with soaking the leather in water. I just have to find the leather now.

Thanks again so much

1 lb Leather Strips - Scrap Leather - ZOOMAX / FUNMAX TOYS by Bird Paradise

I ask for just strips and most of the bag comes that way. Wider Pieces can be cut .

Lola lives to undo the best knots !

 

[Lesa1211]

Thanks again guys. Im making a toy right now out of stainless steel chain I got from Dancing Parrot. When Im done with this Im going to make just a knot toy. I like the skewer idea! Ive been looking on ebay for parts and toys also. I need to order some leather, thanks for the link.

Lola is beautiful Tarkus!