Show me your DIY play gyms!

[Tiredmama2015]

My order for 33' of manzanita just arrived from manzanita.com and I am really looking forward to having this put together for Kiwi. I would love some inspiration from everyone. I am tired of looking at Pinterest.

Any tips? I know to get stainless steel screws. Anything else? I am trying to figure out how to attach removable food bowls so they can be easily changed and cleaned.

 

[Flboy]

Dig through this.
Do It Yourself - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

 

[bill_e]

I've made a few play stands from dowels and ropes but my bird doesn't play, she just perches so it was kind of a waste of effort for me.

Just make sure that below where your bird is likely to perch is open down to the tray or you'll constantly be cleaning poop of the lower branches .

 

[Tiredmama2015]

I've made a few play stands from dowels and ropes but my bird doesn't play, she just perches so it was kind of a waste of effort for me.

Just make sure that below where your bird is likely to perch is open down to the tray or you'll constantly be cleaning poop of the lower branches .

I haven't had a chance to see Kiwi playing much at all. She mostly just perches, eats and preens but I am thinking she may still be taking time to adjust to her new found freedom from the cage.

I will make sure to space them with nothing below any branches. I seem to be cleaning lots of poop all the time so I want to make my poop cleaning as easy as possible going forward.

 

[bill_e]

My Hawkhead is in her 20's so that may be part of it but mostly like yours she perches and preens when she's not flying around. Doesn't really play with toys either, I can have a chew toy in her cage for months and months and then one day it's shredded. put a new one in and again it lasts forever.

The only toy she ever played daily with was a stainless steel pots and pan set but I had to remove it because it made her too horny.

 

[bill_e]

By the way, the branches look nice. you can probably cut a few for her cage as well.

You can go to Walmart or Harbor Freight and get a cheap hole saw set, then use the appropriately sized hole saw (closest to the diameter of the trunk you'll be attaching the branch to) to cut the branch you want to attach. Then with a saw you cut through the center of the hole you just drilled. Attach that branch to the trunk with a screw and it will not only look like it's part of the trunk but it wont twist either.......If you understand what I just tried to explain. You can also use a jig saw to cut the half circle into the end of the branch but the hole saw is easier.

Instead of screws you could also use hanger bolts and attach with a washer and nut. The corse end screws into the branch and the fine end goes through a hole you drill in the trunk. Link is for reference only...first thing that popped up on google.

 

[Soyajam]

Oh man they look lovely. I don't know where I can get that in AUS.

I'll get a pic of my terribly built play tree when I can - but one thing I wish I did (and I will do in further iterations) is have lots of:

a) Hooking/looping spots for toys
b) Spots I can stick foliage/branches in securely (Remi loves sitting on there and chewing everything to bits)
c) Making it easier to get from one side of the tree to the other.

Good luck. Show us pics when you're done?

 

[MooshieBird]

I made this for Mushka out of a fig tree, stainless steel hardware, coconut husk rope, and a piece of plywood. No toys attached in the picture but you can see em on the videos I uploaded in the Mushka T.V. thread in the Grey's section.

 

[Tiredmama2015]

By the way, the branches look nice. you can probably cut a few for her cage as well.

You can go to Walmart or Harbor Freight and get a cheap hole saw set, then use the appropriately sized hole saw (closest to the diameter of the trunk you'll be attaching the branch to) to cut the branch you want to attach. Then with a saw you cut through the center of the hole you just drilled. Attach that branch to the trunk with a screw and it will not only look like it's part of the trunk but it wont twist either.......If you understand what I just tried to explain. You can also use a jig saw to cut the half circle into the end of the branch but the hole saw is easier.

Instead of screws you could also use hanger bolts and attach with a washer and nut. The corse end screws into the branch and the fine end goes through a hole you drill in the trunk. Link is for reference only...first thing that popped up on google.

Thanks for the explanation. My dad is helping me tackle this project so ai will make sure to let him take a look at your instructions.

BTW your bird is absolutely beautiful. I was inspired to spend some time reading all about Hawkhead parrots and I am really intrigued.

 

[Tiredmama2015]

Oh man they look lovely. I don't know where I can get that in AUS.

I'll get a pic of my terribly built play tree when I can - but one thing I wish I did (and I will do in further iterations) is have lots of:

a) Hooking/looping spots for toys
b) Spots I can stick foliage/branches in securely (Remi loves sitting on there and chewing everything to bits)
c) Making it easier to get from one side of the tree to the other.

Good luck. Show us pics when you're done?

I will be working on it right after Christmas and will post pics for sure.

I will make sure to get plenty eye bolts for toys and put some cross bars to make getting from one branch to the next easier. Thanks!

 

[Tiredmama2015]

I made this for Mushka out of a fig tree, stainless steel hardware, coconut husk rope, and a piece of plywood. No toys attached in the picture but you can see em on the videos I uploaded in the Mushka T.V. thread in the Grey's section.

Looks great thanks for the inspiration!

 

[Sunnybirb]

We've been making some DIY perches, and finally got around to making a mobile one (it's not the prettiest, haha). We also got a bunch of manzanita from the woods that we're going to cure and sand. The ladder my bf made is probably the coolest, because we can put it anywhere and it helps her climb to things. It's also mostly edible (or as edible as wood can be...).

View attachment 20060

 

[Tiredmama2015]

DIY Parrot Play Gym https://imgur.com/gallery/tHCq3


Here is what we came up with. It is really big.

 

[bill_e]

Tiredmama, Very nice play stand. Whenever I make a gym with hanging toys my bird ALWAYS sits on the highest points and just poops on my handy work below and never uses it