Keep a parrot busy

DPT

New member
Dec 12, 2010
11
0
Hello guys.

I was wondering how your all keeping your parrot busy when they are in their cages. See as most of you know, i own 4 african greys, and 2 of them just sits and scream for my attention all day. For about a year ago, there wasnt any problems at all. They were playing all day, an just enjoying to be in their cage. Their cage is really big, and i build it on my own.

My question is, how do you keep your parrots busy, while they are in their cage. No matter what toy, and how much toys they got, all ther care about is to get my attention. So if you got any tips, please discribe it to me.

Thanks, Martin

Ps. I hope you understand my english, im doing my best ;)
 

greycloud

New member
Mar 21, 2010
1,034
1
Baltimore, MD
Parrots
Sammy-Umbrella Too-rescued,
Dexter-CAG-rehomed handicapped,
Sterling-CAG-rehomed retired breeder.
Sunshine-12 yo CAG-adopted
Hi Martin, I have 3 greys and a cockatoo. Thankfully they do enjoy toys! If they are calling calling for your attention constantly it is important to evaluate the reason why. Are they getting lots of out of cage time that helps in using up some of that excess energy? Besides chew toys and foot toys, which are a favorite with greys, do you provide foraging opportunities in their cage. These are little boxes, or wrapped paper and coffee filters filled with very favorites yummy treats that they have to work at to find the treats. Their reward is eating those yummies.
You need to look at when they are starting to scream. Is it a certain time of day? Are you in or out of their sight? If you are out of sight, sometimes they are flock calling and just need to be reassured as to where you are. When out of their cage do they interact with each other? Do they play and fly around? All of these will help use that built up energy and frustration.
 

Birdzhaven

New member
Oct 30, 2010
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Dallas, TX
Parrots
B&G Macaw, African Grey Congos, Timnehs, Brown-necks, Meyers, DYH Amazon... :-)
I know how you feel, I like the birds to be busy when they are in their cages. Lately I have become a big fan of pine cones. They are especially popular with our Timnehs, Congos and Brown-necks.

Ponderosa Pine Cones – Great Foot Toys for Parrots | Life at Birdzhaven

I hope they work for you! Some of your birds may make strange at first but once they are on to them, they love them!
 
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_Cass_

New member
Mar 4, 2010
245
0
Calgary, AB
Parrots
Toulouse- Cinnamon Green Cheeked Conure
I don't know exactly what your asking, but I change Toulouses toys around once a week (I put new ones in, move them around, and take old ones out). I have a few different foraging toys, a dish in her cage full of foot toys, and hide treats around her cage to keep her busy. Toulouse also gets alot of time out of the cage, and and I do target flying with her to tire her out. When I am not at home, I turn on th eradio for her to listen to :).
 

Spiritbird

Banned
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Aug 20, 2009
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Greys need almost constant enrichment stimulation because they are the brains of the parrots. All that has been suggested is good. You can make toys so easily out of anything that is safe. I will give you a link for an enrichment book you can print out (lots of pages) with some really great ideas. What is their exercise? They can wing flap if they are clipped or fly if not. It really does not matter how large the cage is they still need exercise and time out of the cage with you several times a day. http://www.parrotenrichment.com/images/PEAB_V1.pdf
 

BirdyMomma

New member
Aug 4, 2013
626
1
Long Beach, NY
Parrots
Lilac Crowned Amazon (Bacci- Forever on my shoulder, forever in my heart.)
Yellow Collared Macaw (Loki the Monkey Bird)
Military Macaw (Wingnut)
Citron Crested Cockatoo
(Knuckles)
I just made a makeshift toy out of a soft flour tortilla and some fresh veggies. I sliced the veggies up, rolled them in the tortilla, fastened it shut by spearing it with a green bean, and hung it in Bacci's cage. He seems pretty happy with it!
 

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