Bird play gym?

Nicole07 · Sep 1, 2016

I'm located in a very rural area where we don't have bird stores. I've been looking online for months for a natural wood play gym for my rescue, Zoey. I can't find any other than from stores that are $300+. I'd really love to expand his ability to leave his cage and have more healthy climbing options, but I just don't have that kind of money to drop.

Does anyone know of any cheaper sources that I could get bird items, specifically a tall play gym for a grey? Or would anyone have an extra or unused play gym I could buy?

Teknogeddon · Sep 1, 2016

Honestly you can make one if you get the materials from the right place. I've been staring at several pieces of (gorgeous) manzanita wood / java wood on ebay.

Branches and Blooms also sells some bigger chunks on occasion.

Just be careful what glues/screws you use and if they are 'bird proof' (ie: Can a beak get it?) and you should be golden.

One I've heard of is a lady took one of those large serving trays, put a hole in it, mounted a branch on it, and then toted easily it around because of the handles!

Flboy · Sep 1, 2016

You can use tree branches of your own! Depending on your location, many safe woods to pick from! Maple/sycamore are good choices. Can be lashed together with twine. Christmas tree stand or heavy umbrella stand!

Nicole07 · Sep 1, 2016

Teknogeddon,

I have thought about building one myself. I just hate to order so much manzanita online where I can't personally see it first. My grey is three decades old and absolutely not graceful. I want to be sure I get something not too smooth and large enough for him. He has arthritis and I want something safe for him.

I'm looking for a 4' or so stand, so it wouldn't be moved anywhere. Just to sit beside the cage so he can get off the cage and get some healthy movement in his feet. Tall play gyms are so expensive

Nicole07 · Sep 1, 2016

Flboy,

I thought about that. I have some birch and willows nearby. I'd just really like a stand instead of struggling with building one. I have no tools whatsoever and I also have Lyme disease. I have no hand strength at all. I feel like buying a used or discount stand would make life so much easier.

AmyMyBlueFront · Sep 1, 2016

Nicole, I have a steel one

that someone gave me a few years ago. Its pretty large and I really don't have the room for it. I could take a picture and post it if you'd like. I'd GIVE it to you..you'd only be responsible for the shipping.

Jim

Flboy · Sep 1, 2016

Lyme disease sucks!

AmyMyBlueFront · Sep 1, 2016

Flboy said:
Lyme disease sucks!

?????????????

Jim

Nicole07 · Sep 1, 2016

Amymybluefront,

Steel? I'd be interested in a picture of it. I haven't heard of that.

Nicole07 · Sep 1, 2016

Flboy,

It absolutely does. Wouldn't wish it on anyone.

DRB · Sep 1, 2016

PVC is a cheap and lightweight option that you might be able to work with.

If you choose that route, couple tips.

Make a drawing first, and consider where you want to use the stand, and where you want to make the stand. IOW, pay attention to how big you make it, and consider making it narrow enough to fit thru door ways so you can use it in multiple rooms.

Lots of info out there for PVC stands. Safe, easy, and lots of options for diameter to accommodate different size birds.

Nicole07 · Sep 1, 2016

DRB,

I've seen the pvc gyms but I'm really set on a natural wood gym for his feet. He never really had natural wood before I got him and I'm worried his feet will get sores. I think it would strengthen them a bit and he'd feel safer on a very sturdy structure. I've tried adding natural perches to his cage and no matter how long he sees them, he refuses to use them and will attack them. I think something outside of his safety bubble will encourage him to venture off and get some toe exercise when he's ready.

AmyMyBlueFront · Sep 1, 2016

Ok...here is the picture Nicole...the motorcycles are not included!

Jim

Flboy · Sep 1, 2016

AmyMyBlueFront said:
Ok...here is the picture Nicole...the motorcycles are not included!

Jim

Remember, you can easily wrap everything with heavy twine! -and add branches!!

Nicole07 · Sep 1, 2016

Jim,

That's a nice stand! I'm just concerned Zoey isn't coordinated enough to use much of it. I don't know how I could attach natural perches anywhere either. Are there holes along the sides or would they need drilled in?

Flboy · Sep 1, 2016

Nicole07 said:
Jim,

That's a nice stand! I'm just concerned Zoey isn't coordinated enough to use much of it. I don't know how I could attach natural perches anywhere either. Are there holes along the sides or would they need drilled in?

Simple tie wraps..

Nicole07 · Sep 1, 2016

I'm looking for something natural like this that would be good for his feet and fairly even so he doesn't have such a falling risk. The round and metal stands are nice and would be something I'd get for my conure, but not Zoey. He's not nearly coordinated enough and moves like an old sloth.

Flboy · Sep 1, 2016

Question:
Do you have Zoey on a Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM type supplement?

For me, the stuff is a miracle, without it, I am limping! With it, I still bike 30 plus miles and jog!

Nicole07 · Sep 1, 2016

Zoey isn't currently taking anything. He came to me in late May on seeds. I switched his diet to pellets and supplemented it with tree nuts for calcium. I've tried all sorts of produce but he will only eat apples and corn. He would eat plums but not now. Just the switch from seeds really improved his mood and movement. He is now active all day and seeks interaction, where before he could go all day without moving.

He only ever had a dowel rod and some crappy sandpaper perches and he used none of them (they were covered in feces and filth). He never really built up strength or got to move much as he was stuck in a cage his whole life. I think part may be arthritis and the rest was diet and lack of exercise.

I have been meaning to take him to a vet to get anything like that settled (I had a post here about it), but he has a stress induced seizure wirh any change let alone the hour and a half drive to the vet and being handled.

AmyMyBlueFront · Sep 1, 2016

Flboy said:
Nicole07 said:

Jim,

That's a nice stand! I'm just concerned Zoey isn't coordinated enough to use much of it. I don't know how I could attach natural perches anywhere either. Are there holes along the sides or would they need drilled in?

Click to expand...

Simple tie wraps..

There are already two wooden perches attached that should be replaced..the one in the round loopy thingie has two screws,one at either ends...with a tie wrap in the center..the perch on the back side is also held in place by screws..there are not any other "holes" in the stand..it has plenty of room to add more perches and lots of toys! Also, the bottom grate comes right out for easy cleaning!

Jim

Bird play gym?

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