trying to get Marvy to play with toys

MarvysMom · Jan 21, 2018

We adopted Marvy a few years ago...I have tried several ways to try and get him to play with toys...any toy...have tried all different kinds. He spent 10 years not having any toys to play with and acts like they are monsters when put near him or in cage. When sitting on our shoulder he'll chew on the end of a hoodie string...I had hope...put one in his cage...nope! He screams when I'm not in sight and plucks when bored/nervous (a lot). Would appreciate any and all help!
Thanks,
Marvy's Mom!

Presley · Jan 21, 2018

Hi, have you tried any foraging toys or diy foraging toys? You can use it so he can work for his treats/pellets by getting them out. You could try putting it one of those 7 day pill box cases, make sure it's clear so he can see it. You could also make him search for his treat, for example, hiding some treats in a small open box filled with shredded paper. (Again helps if it's a clear plastic box so he can see that there's a treat in there. It reminds them of their purpose otherwise they might not see the purpose in opening that pill box or digging through that shredded paper.

Those are just a few ideas off the top of my head. I know online they have more good ideas for foraging toys/activities for birds. I bookmarked a few pages on my phone so I can send you some links if you still need them.

Also, if you don't already have one, how about getting him a large parrot playstand (the kind made of real wood, so it's also good for their feet), most ekkies love to climb. In addition, you could also try a hanging a toy or two off of that and see how he reacts to that.

Another thing for the plucking, one website mentioned how they placed a cotton mop head near the bird and now that bird preens and plucks that instead of plucking herself. Of course, you may have to work with him so he's not afraid of it.

Scott · Jan 21, 2018

Neither of my ekkies enjoyed toys. On rare occasions the male would take a bite or two, but the female paid no attention.

MarvysMom · Jan 22, 2018

Presley said:
Hi, have you tried any foraging toys or diy foraging toys? You can use it so he can work for his treats/pellets by getting them out. You could try putting it one of those 7 day pill box cases, make sure it's clear so he can see it. You could also make him search for his treat, for example, hiding some treats in a small open box filled with shredded paper. (Again helps if it's a clear plastic box so he can see that there's a treat in there. It reminds them of their purpose otherwise they might not see the purpose in opening that pill box or digging through that shredded paper.

Those are just a few ideas off the top of my head. I know online they have more good ideas for foraging toys/activities for birds. I bookmarked a few pages on my phone so I can send you some links if you still need them.

Also, if you don't already have one, how about getting him a large parrot playstand (the kind made of real wood, so it's also good for their feet), most ekkies love to climb. In addition, you could also try a hanging a toy or two off of that and see how he reacts to that.

Another thing for the plucking, one website mentioned how they placed a cotton mop head near the bird and now that bird preens and plucks that instead of plucking herself. Of course, you may have to work with him so he's not afraid of it.

I've tried a lot of the diy foraging toys... he walks away.... stubborn butt! Awesome idea on the mop....I could cut it down so it's not did ominous looking... thanks!

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MarvysMom · Jan 22, 2018

Scott said:
Neither of my ekkies enjoyed toys. On rare occasions the male would take a bite or two, but the female paid no attention.

How did you keep them entertained? Did they pluck a lot?

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Presley · Jan 22, 2018

Glad I could help! You want to make sure whichever mop head you choose carries less risk of his feet getting tangled in it. In case you were wondering, the mop head they specifically used was the #24 "Cut End Mop" from Rubbermaid.

MarvysMom · Jan 22, 2018

Presley said:
Glad I could help! You want to make sure whichever mop head you choose carries less risk of his feet getting tangled in it. In case you were wondering, the mop head they specifically used was the #24 "Cut End Mop" from Rubbermaid.

Thank you![emoji16]

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chris-md · Jan 22, 2018

With foraging toys, it may be as simple as he doesn’t know HOW to forage. When I first got Parker I placed a paper towel over his bowl to encourage his foraging. Not secured down my any means, just laid it over the top. This should be foraging 101.

He didn’t eat all day, poor guy. So we took it back to foraging 001 with the following, and he’s been a foraging fool ever since.

[ame="https://youtu.be/KztWdrv4KsY"]Parker the eclectus' first foraging success - YouTube[/ame]

Soyajam · Jan 22, 2018

Remi is definitely not obsessed with toys but there are a few items she seems to always enjoy.

What about destroying stuff? If I put a piece of balsa (that is, very soft wood) in front of her, it's in woodchips in about 5 seconds. I have to drip-feed her balsa because she'd go through my bank account in wood!

She is also obsessed with shoelaces (which is kind of like hoodie strings) and I have one of those everywhere.

Do you have any safe foliage near you that might have some nuts or seeds that they might like to crunch?

Play isn't just about spinning pretty coloured things - it can also be about destroying (allowed) things, or by getting to crunch something cool in their beak.

I also discovered my bird enjoyed balancing on a piece of rope I strung across the cage (Which was intended for an entirely different purpose, and not for climbing, of course)
Chris-md, I had better luck when I tore some little holes in the paper, when I left it whole she didn't go near it, but once she watched me tear a few holes in the paper, she went for it and tore a hole big enough to get into. That might be better?

chris-md · Jan 22, 2018

Many different ways to skin a cat, Sam. Each bird will respond differently. Parker responded to simply seeing the treat and doing what he can to get to it. Others, like yours, respond more to the mechanics of shredding to access the treats.

MarvysMom · Jan 22, 2018

Soyajam said:
Remi is definitely not obsessed with toys but there are a few items she seems to always enjoy.

What about destroying stuff? If I put a piece of balsa (that is, very soft wood) in front of her, it's in woodchips in about 5 seconds. I have to drip-feed her balsa because she'd go through my bank account in wood!

She is also obsessed with shoelaces (which is kind of like hoodie strings) and I have one of those everywhere.

Do you have any safe foliage near you that might have some nuts or seeds that they might like to crunch?

Play isn't just about spinning pretty coloured things - it can also be about destroying (allowed) things, or by getting to crunch something cool in their beak.

I also discovered my bird enjoyed balancing on a piece of rope I strung across the cage (Which was intended for an entirely different purpose, and not for climbing, of course)
Chris-md, I had better luck when I tore some little holes in the paper, when I left it whole she didn't go near it, but once she watched me tear a few holes in the paper, she went for it and tore a hole big enough to get into. That might be better?

Thank you! I wish he would destroy something.... would help keep his beak down...lol

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chris-md · Jan 23, 2018

You can encourage him to shred by tucking stuff like walnut crumbles or sunflower seeds visibly in the folds of a shredding toy. It’s how I got Parker to start shredding.

Uglow · Jan 24, 2018

Does your bird like your phone? haha. I find that our bird wants to play with things we're handling. flock behavior and all. When introducing a toy play with it first and play with it often. Act like it's not his. He might get curious and want to partake. skewers have been useful too. while not exactly a toy, you can slowly introduce blocks of wood or other "parts" of other toys in the mix. So it could be a carrot, a block of wood, an apple, a ball, some squash. I've recently started sprouting for the purpose of dehydrating them for foraging purposes. pressing those into hanging kabobs.
I think if he's scared like when you put them in his cage you're going backwards. He should be completely comfortable with it. so have them laying around for a while. eventually he'll want to see what's going on with this or that.
One other thing, our guy is a climber. So when he does finally like something start making it a little hard to get to in his cage.
hope this helps.

clark_conure · Jan 24, 2018

I know foraging toys are best, but noisy ringing toys attract attention too. I recommend this, I've gone through two of them so far including repairing the chain several times. Clark plays with it constantly. I think he might go pro in a few years.

MarvysMom · Jan 29, 2018

Uglow said:
Does your bird like your phone? haha. I find that our bird wants to play with things we're handling. flock behavior and all. When introducing a toy play with it first and play with it often. Act like it's not his. He might get curious and want to partake. skewers have been useful too. while not exactly a toy, you can slowly introduce blocks of wood or other "parts" of other toys in the mix. So it could be a carrot, a block of wood, an apple, a ball, some squash. I've recently started sprouting for the purpose of dehydrating them for foraging purposes. pressing those into hanging kabobs.
I think if he's scared like when you put them in his cage you're going backwards. He should be completely comfortable with it. so have them laying around for a while. eventually he'll want to see what's going on with this or that.
One other thing, our guy is a climber. So when he does finally like something start making it a little hard to get to in his cage.
hope this helps.

Omg.... he won't leave my phone alone... regurgitates on it anytime I leave it where he can get too it...lol! I'll have too try that with his toys... might just work!
Thanks!

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MarvysMom · Jan 29, 2018

clark_conure said:
I know foraging toys are best, but noisy ringing toys attract attention too. I recommend this, I've gone through two of them so far including repairing the chain several times. Clark plays with it constantly. I think he might go pro in a few years.

Haha! I'll give it a try... Thank You!

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Violet_Diva · Jan 29, 2018

I just posted a new thread with some of my birds favourite toys. Maybe see if there's something Marvy hasn't tried yet

http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-toys/73312-how-keep-birds-busy-cage-toys-foraging.html

MarvysMom · Jan 30, 2018

Violet_Diva said:
I just posted a new thread with some of my birds favourite toys. Maybe see if there's something Marvy hasn't tried yet

http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-toys/73312-how-keep-birds-busy-cage-toys-foraging.html

Thank you!

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