First post is this alright?

[CosmicCay]

My husband and I have had our 27yo YNA Harley for a little over a year now. Despite giving him many different kind of foraging and shredding toys he loves to chew our shirts. We are fine with it as we usually just wear old ones during play time now. I give him his own and wrap him loosely so he can wiggle out and he loves it! Is it safe for him? And also is it normal for him to enjoy playing while laying on his back?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Laurasea]

Hello and welcome!
Your post is perfect!
A member here recommend old paperback books for shredding fun. I'm lucky my litter guys aren't shirt chewers. Sometimes they play on their backs. I think that's a wonderful sign of trust.
Just wait till all our Amazon folks see your post, they'll be happy to welcome you to Amazon
I hope you will read and be active in posting, lots of tidbits can be picked up from everyone here.

 

[noodles123]

I would just be careful about wrapping them in anything, as any shadowy or cave-like space can stimulate hormones and associated behaviors---same goes for petting anywhere other than the head or back.

That having been said, if you have had him for many years and he is doing okay, then that is probably okay.

Edit- If it is just a year, I would stop wrapping him up or petting him (other than head or neck- for now).

 

[PickleMeDickles]

Hello! As far as playing on their backs, Sass frequently plays in this position on the top of her cage (I purchased an awesome playpen from Etsy last year that is priceless as far as entertainment value). It always makes me smile to see her upside down, her little chubby thighs pedaling a million mile an hour. Her house (cage) is parked right next to 2 GCC and I have wondered if she copied them because they both frequently play and sleep on their backs. Anyhow, it can't be anything less than good times as far as trust goes!

Sass also didn't quite know what to do with toys either when she first came home with us. I introduced her to many various types of toys and textures. At first she acted like they were unwelcome guests in her cage! She loves nuts, so I would wrap a nut in paper, clearly letting her see me doing it and pretty soon she caught on to that. Then there are those rope hanging balls stuffed with colorful paper. I hung one up in her house and "played" with it myself while she observed. Never one to miss out on the fun, she soon joined in. Now her favorite things to destroy are little foot balls stuffed with colorful paper, any king of cardboard, paper, those "natural husk balls", paper towel rolls stuffed with treats and tied up with twine.

I find Etsy has some incredible toy makers for very reasonable costs. It seems once they get the hang of what toys are for and their roll in toys, many birds quickly come around. I now rarely get "that look" (the one that is like stink eye and disgust at the same time) when introducing brand new toys, most of the time she rushes over to snatch them out of my hand! Just be persistent!

And don't forget other types of toys as well. I mainly focused on foraging and/or destroyable toys at first. Now I include metal clanking toys, shiny beaded toys, intelligence toys, physical toys (swings, ropes, ladders). stretchy plastic toys. Who knows what else. At first I figured I had lost my mind when I gave her a "pots and pans" toy that is quite loud, but she seems to confine her banging on that one to manageable hours

Good luck!

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

Welcome, your Harley sounds like he's quiet the character ...if he is not getting broody and there are no toxins in the shirt then all should be well but also if he has started getting hormonal because of it then it would be best to find a new game for him to play . Welcome to you and Harley ♡

 

[SailBoat]

Welcome!
Enjoying an Amazon at play can provide seemingly hours of entertainment.
The only concern I have with letting them have at it with shirt material is to keep it safe by cutting the lose strings. You really need to keep a close eye out and cut them as quickly as they appear. The potential problem is that the strings getting into their crop. Keep cutting them off!
Again, Welcome!

 

[texsize]

My Bingo likes to play on his back.
I pump his little footsies and tickle his chest.
Can't get away with this activity for very long before it turns to overload.

 

[wrench13]

Welcome and be welcomed.

 

[Scott]

Welcoming you and Harley to our huge Amazon family!!

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Welcome to you and Harley to this great forum! When Amy is in the mood (usually when on his play top) and I'm trying to get him on his perch stick to go someplace,he'll roll onto his back and kick at the perch while biting/yanking on one of the many toys that hang from the play top perch. It gets comical at times,and frustrating at times especially when he thinks he is having "fun" with his servant and keeps it up when we need to go some place lol


Jim