Quick DIY for paper shredders!

[newclassic]

My cockatiel loves paper, so I decided to buy some receipt/calculator rolls. You can hang them on the cage like this:

(I personally used wire and a couple picture-hanger hooks to securely attach it to the side of his cage, you could get creative and put beads on a dowel or something).

Just a tip--make sure you DON'T get 'thermal paper'--that stuff is coated in chemicals!! E.g., octadecylphosphonic acid, BPA, various dyes, etc. I got some 1 3/4" rolls that are 'elemental chlorine-free' on Amazon; couldn't find any totally chlorine-free rolls, so I figure that was the safest option available. I got [ame=http://www.amazon.com/PM-Company-Register-Length-18990/dp/B0006HULS8/ref=cm_cmu_pg_t#productDetails]this 10-pack of 1.75" wide rolls on Amazon[/ame], pictured below:

Considering how small he is and how much paper there is on each roll, it's going to take quite some time to go through all 10 rolls .

 

[Riio]

Thanks for the idea! I bought one of the expensive paper roll holders from the bird store. Should have just made one like this!

 

[Ash]

I can see my conures loving this : )
Thank you for sharing!

 

[antoinette]

Great idea, cheap to make and cheap maintain

 

[ConureCrazy]

Great idea!

Just a warning, replace the roll before it's empty, that chain loop can be very dangerous...

 

[julya]

I like how that roll is hung up. I give my amazon rolls of toilet paper to chew on, but haven't devised a great system for hanging them yet.

 

[mrgoogls]

i use stuff like that for cooper. i dont have a hanger but i just put it on top of the cage and let it hang through.... works just as well. in the future i might make a holder though

 

[MonicaMc]

What about doing something like a steel/nickel bolt with washers and nuts? Would require a minimum of 3 washers and 2 nuts to attach to the bolt to make sure it remains in place, as well as the adding machine paper?

 

[newclassic]

Just a warning, replace the roll before it's empty, that chain loop can be very dangerous...

Good to keep in mind, thanks . That's actually a stock image I found online, here's a pic of my frankenstein job:

I bent some aluminum wire into shape, and hung it on the cage using picture hangers; I just wanted a quick way to attach it to the cage, I'll think of something better but for now it works. I don't think he'll be making that roll smaller any time soon lol.

You could hang it vertical in between a large birdie bagel with holes drilled on either side like this:

Or.. just have it horizontal in the birdie bagel, and hang the birdie bagel by itself.

What about doing something like a steel/nickel bolt with washers and nuts? Would require a minimum of 3 washers and 2 nuts to attach to the bolt to make sure it remains in place, as well as the adding machine paper?

That would probably be the most secure method; you could just take a long threaded screw like this:

and stick another washer on either side. If you could ever find colorful acrylic washers or discs (like this?), you could end up with something like this:

 

[Customcasket]

My Dusky LOVES to shred rolls of paper. When I adopted her she came with a box full of her stuff which included her favorite "lucky bird paper roll shredder" She shreds paper constantly. When I was filling out paperwork to take with me to her vet appointment she chewed a few holes in the bottom corner. I should have known to keep her away!

 

[MonicaMc]

That was basically the idea! Two washers to attach it to the cage bars with one nut to secure into place, then another washer and nut on the other side of the roll to secure *that* on!

that red version looks pretty neat, too!