My Idea for a Birdie Indoor Rainforest Spa Experience

BoomBoom

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LOL at the title. I just wanted to share this inspired idea I had to take all my indoor plants together and a bunch of other things and give my Technicolor Chicken the spa experience. A good sunny window, a few smooth black stones and voila! A miniature rainforest themepark-spa. LOL! He loved it. He would fly straight to it and just roam around the vases or climb the ladders. I added water later but he didn't feel like bathing at the time.

I usually have plants in this corner of the bedroom because it gets the most morning sun. So I will probably keep this set up, minus some of the plants because that is just too crazy. I'll also take the ladders off because he climbs it just to get to the leaves so he can chew them to pieces. It's another place in the apartment for Boomer to 'visit' since he spends most of his time in the living room, either on top of his cage, the tree or me. This is also great for days when I couldn't take him to the park.

EDIT: I just found out that the water bamboo plant is dangerous for birds to chew on (thanks, CopperArabian). I am redoing the set up so these plants will be no where near Boomer. Just a heads up to those who might want to try this with their water bamboo plants.


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weco

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I'm sorry Boomer, but I have to ask...you don't by chance, live in New Jersey do you...was wondering if you'd had any inspirational encouragement from any special tomatoes ? ? ?

Nice looking rainforest though.....
 

Kalidasa

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It actually looks really cool from where it can be seen from this photo...I don't think it looks crazy at all....then again, I don't know if it goes with the rest. My budgies play in an aloe mini-jungle and get some good exercise and fun. You got some nice bamboo plants there, it looks really nice from this end! And how awesome for Boomer to have it!
And btw, Boomer is stunning.
 

ParkersMom

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love that you call him a technicolor chicken
 

Featheredsamurai

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It is beautiful! But I would like to suggest you find a different species of plant. Lucky bamboo isn't a true bamboo and is not save to be chewed on.

Please take careful notice of the red highlighted section source
on this site it is also listed as not safe
http://www.anafricangrey.ca/2008/12/13/parrot-safe-plants-indoor-outdoor-shortlist/
Dracaena Varieties (aka Dragon Tree) – a tropical, sub-tropical plants with some species such as D. deremnsis, D. fragrans, D. godseffiana, D. marginata, and D. sanderiana kept as houseplants. Although considered edible in general, not all species are. The “Lucky Bamboo,” for example, is actually a Dracaena, but is not safe for birds to chew. If in doubt, do a specific search on the variety of Dracaena that you are considering buying, to be certain that it is safe.
 

ann

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lol it looks like paradise! Boomboom is adorable :)
 
OP
BoomBoom

BoomBoom

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Thanks for the responses!!! I am glad you all enjoyed the pictures. You should try your own Birdie Spa-Zen Garden and post pics here!

@CopperArabian: Oh wow, I didn't know this!!! I thought all dracaenas were safe. So scary, he's chewed on the leaves of the water bamboo like 3-6 times in the past (2 today). I will definietely make sure he won't be able to reach the leaves or stem. Goes to show, just when I think I've researched enough, there is something very glaring that I missed.

Thank you very much for the heads up!!!!!!!!!! It is very much appreciated.

ps. @ Weco: I don't live in NJ but I love tomatoes!
 

JerseyWendy

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BEAUTIFUL pictures!!!! The title had me laughing pretty hard, as did Weco's comment. :D

Boom Boom is GORGEOUS!!!
 

ruffledfeathers

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Boomer looks so happy 'at the spa'. :) What a cute bird.
 

weco

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ps. @ Weco: I don't live in NJ but I love tomatoes!

I was just wondering, because Wendy's purported to be growing some very special tomato like annuals that supposedly have unique inspirational properties...thought you might have gotten some of that inspiration.....

I like tomatoes too.....
 

ruffledfeathers

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I live in NJ AND i grew tomatoes in a pot last year. It was all going well until one day as i was coming in the back gate after work i saw an army of squirrels feasting ON my picnic table under the walnut tree on my tomatoes and walnuts. It was actually hilarious. They all looked up at me, like "CRAP! She's here!!" and scurried away. I ended up with TWO tomatoes all season and the squirrels enjoyed the rest.
Apparently everyone likes tomatoes and they inspire us. ;)
 

WannaBeAParrot

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Pritti (Cherry-Head Conure) -- Fly in Peace my beautiful boy. Forever I'll love you.
BoomBoom. Your bird spa is beautiful, like an oasis. Can I book a spa date for Pritti at Boomer's now famous Indoor Rainforest Spa for next time we are in CA? It is such a cheery and, yes, zen looking place.
 
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BoomBoom

BoomBoom

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Boomer (Sun Conure 9 yrs), Pewpew (Budgie 5 yrs), Ulap (Budgie 2 yrs), Eight & Kiki (Beloved Budgies, RIP)
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@ Wendy, Weco, Ruffledfeathers: What is all this talk about tomatoes!? I'll have to pick them up tomorrow for dinner. I'm craving some now.

@WBAP: Pritti will get a senior discount!
 

Willc

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May 14, 2013
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BoomBoom,

The spa looks like so much fun! After I finish my move next week, I will start stocking up on some plants for my room. I have always enjoyed having plenty of plants around, but I have been in a sort of transition state for the last year. There is a really good website that covers plants that are bird safe. I still plan on checking other references as well before I buy any.

I am also thinking of adding a water fall of sorts. What are your thoughts on this? I know for sure that I want to do it, I am just afraid of bacteria. My thought is to find one that is fairly easy to disassemble all parts that the water actually contacts. That way, I can take it apart and clean it every day. I would just add distilled water to it. This way my birds could drink from the water fall that is mixed in with the plants.
 
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BoomBoom

BoomBoom

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Hi Willc,

I've thought about a waterfall contraption too, but worried a bit about mold and bacteria build up. Are you planning on making it run 24-7? If so, yes, you'll have to stay on top of cleaning it (which could be a pain!)

How about you just get a wide, shallow stone basin (in black so it looks cool and zen-like lol), add some large, smooth black stones, add some solid wood pieces for perching, get some nice, safe plants around it so it looks like a grotto. When you're bird is ready to visit the spa, just add the water then. Maybe even use a mister/spay bottle and give your plants and your bird a nice rainforest humidity going. Play some nature sounds and you've got a 5-star birdie spa!

It's the easy way out (for me anyway) so you won't have to worry about keeping your waterfall/water wheel free of mold and bacteria. It's not like they will be using it all the time.
 

Willc

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BoomBoom,

Right now I have two budgies. I let them out fairly often in my room. I will soon be adding a sun conure to my family, which I hope to have bond with me. I work from home and do all of my college work from home. I plan on having at least 4 hours a day of free flight in my room. I will be trimming his or her wings, but not a full clipping. I just don't want full on conure flight into a wall.

I think that your idea sounds like a perfect solution for now. I think if I do eventually go with a small waterfall, I would only run it during free flight. After that, I would just make sure to clean it and dry it so that there is not a mold or bacteria issue. I will really need to do my home work on a system that has minimal tubing and water pooling areas. I just would feel so awful if any of my birds got sick because of my negligence.

Thank you so much for your response! I will start checking out some ways to implement that system.
 

Willc

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Oh BoomBoom! I almost forgot to ask you. Have you thought about adding some Aloe Vera plants? I think that they would look stunning for a zen styled theme. You also get some huge benefits from having them! They can be used for medicinal properties. You of course have the obvious human related ones, such as sun burns and itches. Aloe Vera can also be used for our bird friends, as well. My aunt use to keep a few Aloe Vera plants around the house at all times because of the birds she kept. If any were showing signs of itchy plumage, she would mix some of the gel with water and mist them. It also helps with feather health and shine.
 

008kenichijouji

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When you said "Technicolor Chicken", I was like WHAT? Haha. Now I know!

That is really cool! I wish my sun conure (technicolor chicken) would like something like that....she's as stubborn as a mule. :p
 
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BoomBoom

BoomBoom

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Boomer (Sun Conure 9 yrs), Pewpew (Budgie 5 yrs), Ulap (Budgie 2 yrs), Eight & Kiki (Beloved Budgies, RIP)
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@Willc: you know that's a good idea. I think I can get those plants at IKEA. You don't think it's too thorny?

Kenichi: A technicolor mule sounds cool ;P
 

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