Creative block with little tabletop gym?

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
So here is the story, after several years of no wood perches at all, the bird cage stand the swing used to hang on had become unstable so my husband insisted I make Kiwi a t-perch. He looked so pitiful sitting on it, I took it a step further and made a little "frame" to go around it. Took all of a week for Kiwi to, yet again, chew through the wood and fall (which as a non-flighted bird is dangerous). Kiwi has a long history of doing this going back as long as we've had him and up until this point had not had any wood perches in several years. It's too dangerous for him as an individual as he doesn't seem to get the picture he can't chew it out from right between his feet. Though he could, he doesn't chew rope or plastic perches, just wood (we actually have a couple rope perches we bought before we got him and they're still in great shape!). Never been able to figure out what his deal is. He had chewed the vertical portion of the t-perch so badly it was only hanging on by a thread so I got rid of that too. I left the bottom of the wood surrounding structure, since he seems to like sitting on it while playing with the toys on the bottom, but he's almost chewed through that in several spots too, so it will be replaced soon with PVC. I'd like to build a bit more of a structure around the metal swing but still allow the swing to remain portable. I also found out quickly with the t-perch structure he pooped on the perch then stepped in it several times:34: so I want to keep the space directly above the swing clear. I'm thinking maybe a "cube" like structure made of PVC, but what can I do to make that an interesting place to hang out? I need some ideas and suggestions! I'm fresh out:D One last thing- this is an auxiliary spot to hang out and primarily a place to park the swing when not being carted around, but I figure it can be made a little more fun;) Kiwi has a huge cage and a large play tree, so this is not his primary hangout spot. And in case you can't tell by the picture, I have 2 large ceramic tiles with a good overhang he can't reach under protecting the top and sides of the table and also easy to clean!;)

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***DISCLAIMER*** Before everyone jumps down my throat- Kiwi does NOT spend all day on his stainless swing, though he does love it and climbs around the whole frame, often choosing to perch on the top hook part:). He has perches in his cage of various materials ranging from 3/4" up to 2 1/2" diameter, rope, molded plastic that is natural wood shape, a cement perch a platform... the metal perch is just one more thickness and varied material in a wide array of different thickness/materials perches this bird uses daily and I'm not changing it out for wood, which is a safety hazard for Kiwi or rope, as he has numerous rope perches already.
 
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SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
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Western, Michigan
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DYH Amazon
Remember that when all chew wood is eliminated, it leave only the expensive stuff!!! When I cut perches and/or supports for such, I cut additional pieces and pre-drilled if needed, and simply replace as needed.

I just except it as the realities of life with an Amazon! It also saves greatly on being creative at the moments notice.
 
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Kiwibird

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
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Remember that when all chew wood is eliminated, it leave only the expensive stuff!!! When I cut perches and/or supports for such, I cut additional pieces and pre-drilled if needed, and simply replace as needed.

I just except it as the realities of life with an Amazon! It also saves greatly on being creative at the moments notice.

Oh, he has plenty of wood to chew in the form of toys, scrap wood chunks etc.. it's just wood perches he's not allowed to have;) I have never, in my life seen or heard of a bird that chews their perch out from under themselves. And he gets through them so fast, it can look fine with just a few chomps out of it and an hour later I hear a big crash and squawking because he chewed clear through and fell. I'm afraid he'll break a wing, foot or even worse, his neck, when he chews the perches out from under his feet. I'm hoping to come up with something creative and fun and safe for him to play on:)
 

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