All 3 of my Parrots Don't Play with Toys

[Akula00]

The title says it all.

I have been the proud owner of a Green IRN since December and got both a Budgie and a Lovebird a week ago now. The bird I had as a child adored toys, and everyone says to fill your cage with toys, and I do, the thing is... not once have any of them touched any of the toys, except they occasionally take a go on the swings.

I've been thinking about buying out of cage play stands and a boatload of of different toys for them, but it's hard to justify at the moment, given their current lack of engagement.

 

[BirdyBee]

The title says it all.

I have been the proud owner of a Green IRN since December and got both a Budgie and a Lovebird a week ago now. The bird I had as a child adored toys, and everyone says to fill your cage with toys, and I do, the thing is... not once have any of them touched any of the toys, except they occasionally take a go on the swings.

I've been thinking about buying out of cage play stands and a boatload of of different toys for them, but it's hard to justify at the moment, given their current lack of engagement.

Is there any foods they really like, such as sunflower or millet? Try hiding it in-between. Are these natural, shreddable toys? Plastic often gets ignored.

Sorry you're having trouble getting them to play with toys, my Sunny took a while to get used to them. She just starting liking them all of a sudden so I can't offer advice..

 

[wrench13]

It can help, a lot, if they see you playing with the same toys, cheerfully handling them, making squeals of delight. Sounds silly, right? But this has proven many times to be the impetus for parrots to at least start investigating the toys. After all, why should you have all the fun? Much like eating the foods you are eating, they want what you have!

 

[clark_conure]

According to my parrot guy IRNs take time to adapt it's like an 8 month process before they can be youtube cute. Do they get to interact with each other. Mine prefer destruction toys and legos.... Maybe better?

 

[Cottonoid]

I don't know lovebirds, but budgies often love shredding balsa, and IRN shredding any soft wood toys. My ringneck hadn't really played with toys much and he's discovering new toys he likes almost every day now. The suggestion of hiding treats like walnut or millet totally works with my guy. So does playing with them first even though he looks at me like I've lost it more than with curiosity 😆

I will say that getting him coming out of his cage daily has made the biggest difference in his playing more.

 

[Akula00]

Is there any foods they really like, such as sunflower or millet? Try hiding it in-between. Are these natural, shreddable toys? Plastic often gets ignored.

Sorry you're having trouble getting them to play with toys, my Sunny took a while to get used to them. She just starting liking them all of a sudden so I can't offer advice..

It's funny you mention this, because I've noticed that the Lovebird really likes the only natural/shreddable one he has in there. I think I'm going to spend a little more next week and get them some really good, natural ones instead of what they have now. I didn't realise they could be so... particular lol

 

[Akula00]

I don't know lovebirds, but budgies often love shredding balsa, and IRN shredding any soft wood toys. My ringneck hadn't really played with toys much and he's discovering new toys he likes almost every day now. The suggestion of hiding treats like walnut or millet totally works with my guy. So does playing with them first even though he looks at me like I've lost it more than with curiosity 😆

I will say that getting him coming out of his cage daily has made the biggest difference in his playing more.

My IRN is EXTREMELY hand shy, so getting him out often turns into a bit of a chaotic affair, but I really want to start doing it more. I replied to a previous comment similarly, but I'll reiterate here that I think (based on my Lovebird's behaviour) they would enjoy proper shreddables.

 

[HeatherG]

Since your birds are all in the same household, maybe you could re-sort the toys and give specific toys to the birds who would like them best. Like shreddable toys for the lovebird.

When I buy a toy and my bird doesn’t play with it, I put it away in the bird dresser and try it again later. I also think they can only enjoy so many toys in the cage at one time and so I rotate toys in and out of the cage until they’re devoured.