Need Ideas!

[Scamperdoo]

I am running out of toy ideas for my Conure, Rio. HELP!

He does not like paper no matter the type - bags, boxes, cardboard, toilet paper - even if it has a treat in it.
He isn't much on plastic parts either.

He likes things made of metal he can open or take apart. - metal rings, etc. He also loves shinny charms that have mirrors.

I know some metals are toxic, but stainless steel is safe.

 

[Flboy]

I hear you, want to follow the answers!

 

[Terry57]

Have you tried leather toys? My conures love them. They also like the wicker type balls.

 

[Scamperdoo]

Yes, I have tried paper, leather, plastic and rubber. He only has interest in metal toys he can disassemble. I call him my little engineer- LOL.

I was directed to a website on another parrot forum at Welcome to Avian Stainless ~ Parrot Toys with Attitude that has some he would like. However, they are expensive. Does any one have any idea on where you could buy the parts and make your own? TY! Debby

 

[JBassset]

Have you tried Legos? He can take them apart and they are nontoxic. I can't say the imitation Legos are safe but real ones are.

 

[wrench13]

I am trying one toy from them, for Salty's X-mas present. If it;s anything like the tubular bells, he will have many happy hours trying to DESTROY it. Birds that like metal toys seem to really rip into them - I know I would not Salty to attack my hand with the same ferocity he awards metal bells. It would be a dripping, bloody rag.

 

[chris-md]

How about foraging activities? Food rewards galore for playing

 

[SassiBird]

My black-capped three favorite toys. They are not deconstruct-able though.

Rope Orbit with a jingle ball attached to one of the chains. Good for hours of sparring.

AND

Bonka Bird Clacker I call it her pots-and-pans. It is HUGE compared to her, but she never gets tired of making them clink or CLANK.

AND
3 inch mailing tube cut to about 18" long. She loves to get it rolling with her inside.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hi, Here is a link for ideas re making your own for Rio? (not on sale yet?)

Organic Best Bird Food & Seed! BirD-elicious! Origins!

http://www.mysafebirdstore.com/TOYS_BY_SIZE_TYPE-STAINLESS_STEEL.html

 

[Flboy]

Not sure if this has been suggested, small cat balls? The kind with bells inside. Very inexpensive and many birds go spastic over them!
http://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcos...-balls/leaps-and-bounds-lattice-ball-cat-toys

 

[Flboy]

My black-capped three favorite toys. They are not deconstruct-able though.
....AND
3 inch mailing tube cut to about 18" long. She loves to get it rolling with her inside.

Man, would I love to see that!

 

[PickleMeDickles]

The Bird Orbit that SassiBird shows is a huge hit. I have never removed it from their house as they use it constantly. All my birds go bonkers for Kabobs. Here is a link:
https://www.amazon.com/Wesco-Origin...F8&qid=1482269095&sr=8-1&keywords=bird+kabobs

I get that small size for my GCC. I get the larger harder to shred for my Suns. The first day I put the regular one in for my Suns and in the morning it looked like it had rained bark. It was EVERYWHERE. So then I put another one in and it didn't last 10 minutes. So I found large round ones that last at least 2-3 days.. Also, if you look up foot toys on amazon they have all sorts of nifty little items. Good luck toy hunting

 

[Reni]

Mango loves the balsa wood toys. I have bought several in different sizes and shapes. Currently she is working on one of the largest ones and has completely taken the inside out. Mango seems to get absorbed in these toys and is busy with one of them for a long time. Also, the balsa wood toys are destructible.

 

[Scamperdoo]

I have tried leather, paper, cardboard....no interest. I did buy a bolt, added and few washers and a nut at the end and he liked that.

He does have two foraging puzzles he likes. However, all he wants is sunflower seeds and I have to limit how many. He came from a pet store so he was raised on seeds, not pellets, so it has been struggle to get him to switch. I have also tried many kinds of fruits and vegetables, fresh and dehydrated, cut up in all sizes, even mashed, and he has been a stinker.

 

[Scamperdoo]

Yes, I tried Leggos as well as wood blocks and rings. No interest. TY for the idea!

 

[Scamperdoo]

Thank you all for the reply's and ideas! Debby

 

[SassiBird]

Did you find anything new? My girl just figured out how to dislodge her small metal treat dish. Throwing that round is now her fav activity.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I sometimes visit the hardware store(s) and buy a handfull of stainless steel stuff... washers, screws, nuts, 5-10 links of chains...
Online catalogs will have a more exotic selection.

 

[SassiBird]

I found some possible metal element toys for you.
This is just one of them:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/HappyWings?ref=l2-shopheader-name

 

[israel_gcc]

SassiBird: I love that bolt toy design! Looks simple to duplicate with hardware store parts, like GaleriaGila suggested.

I'd like to try taking a toy like that, on a longish bolt, and fastening it through a link in a hanging chain so it can swing back and forth. Even use several to make a ladder going up the chain.

With a collection of base parts (bird-safe chains and fasteners, nuts & bolts, etc), plus an assortment of accessories (bells, beads, washers), you can create endless configurations. Question is whether the bird will recognize old parts in new arrangements, and get bored with them.

Try looking up simple blacksmith puzzle designs of various difficulties... even if you don't find one made of safe materials, it might give you some ideas for designing your own out of existing parts, or even out of some thick stainless steel wire.