Toys

[mhardin_71]

I have a 7 month old female b&g macaw.i cant seemed to find her any toys. Once i get her any toys shecchews them up in a day or 2. I cant keep up. I work alot and though she seems patience and hasnt started plucking or anything i want her to be happy and welm rounded. Any suggestions on toys that are more sturdy.
Thanks

 

[Flynhigh]

Unfortunately this is something people overlook with parrots , they have a strong desire to chew. This is why wood toys are made for them besides being a generally safe toy . You can make your own which will be much cheaper or just supplement by making some once and a while. Dont want to sound harsh but...this is what you signed up for when you decided a parrot was a good companion. If you know anybody with woodworking equipment, ie table saw , jig saw, ban saw , you can make it all . More important than the toys is time spent with them. They still need toys but affection is BIG. Hang in there you will enjoy the ride.

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[Anansi]

Hello, and welcome to the Parrot Forums family!

Unfortunately, macaws tend to tear through most toys like they were toilet paper. This can be very financially taxing. But one way to help ease that is by buying toy parts and putting your own toys together. Also, buying untreated lumber from a Home Depot or something and cutting them into small, toy-sized pieces that can be strung together for their biting enjoyment cuts down significantly on expense as well.

Phone books hung from the side or suspended from the top of the cage are also great chew toys for big macs. And they last a bit longer than most toys.

Here are some toys that I put together for my ekkies from toy parts:

Btw, the toy parts don't necessarily all have to be bird toys. Some of the ones I use are designed for babies/toddlers. Human toys tend to cost less. Just make sure they are bird-safe.

 

[clark_conure]

buy Popsicles,

eat Popsicles,

give macaw the sticks

gain 300 lbs to keep up with macaw.

I've often seen only people just giving a parrot a roll of toilet paper with seeds pushed in. The birds seem very happy to shred it into oblivion. Just get the cheap stuff, unscented uncolored.

 

[Flynhigh]

All great advise , I forgot to mention thrift stores , baby toys galore !! and cheap buy some dog choke chains and string your toys through them. Get these at your local dollar store which can also be a good source for toys. You'll just need a couple pliers to bend one end ring off string toys and re attach. If you buy the toys at the thrift store be sure and drop them in the dishwasher first.

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[mhardin_71]

Thanks guys for all the suggestions..i forget about baby toys..i do spend every moment with her out of her cage and spend alot of time with her.

 

[tfw]

We have hoarded all of our amazon boxes over the holidays lol I've filled huge bins full of cut up box pieces. I just made sure none of the pieces had tape or any stickers or staples. But they are ready to be strung up or whatever once he goes thru what he already has.

 

[ChristaNL]

Thanks guys for all the suggestions..i forget about baby toys..i do spend every moment with her out of her cage and spend alot of time with her.

I love your enthousiasm, but plze do not overdo this!
The point of teachting your parrots to play is that they can fill some alone-time.


I do not remember who wrote it, but if your macaw is used to having you with her/him almost all day, everyday (or worse be ON you most of he time) it is almost impossible to wean them out of it later!


You still have a baby now.. but even macaw-parents will have stopped feeding it when they reach the second year mark and the not-so-babies are supposed to fend for themselves (though of course they will not leave the safety of the group)
So yes, play...a lot!

But also teach your bird to play away from you (you can be near but not active interacting).


I forgot where you live but in a lot of places there are people taking care of trees that can give (or sell for very little) you a lot of safe-to-eat wood (twigs to really thick branches). If not: pallets will do -> a lot of wood for the bird to gnaw through.

 

[Christinenc2000]

I go through a ton of cardboard with BB. I found this tool makes it easier to cut into sizes i need.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019CSHSW8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[BluenGold_Congo]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WFEKCM...olid=2Z50LWSB7CB6L&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Bag of 50... drill a 3/8 inch hole thru it...string a few onto a chain, attach to cage and it'll last longer.

Either solid wood at least an inch thick, acrylic, stainless steel or PVC...anything else won't last, especially the premade toys or blocks that are sold are far too thin and will be destroyed in a matter of a few hours.