Input please! Future parrotlets cage *

[Loz]

I've completed assembling future parrotlets cage last night(took over an hour lol!). Earlier I wiped it over and their toys using white vinegar and water. I've included a link below. Apologies for the quality of the image. I'm content with my decision although, I do have a few concerns... Where the arches are located can be lifted up easily - at least when not in use. What would be a suitable lock(?) to prevent it being opened? Parrots are so smart!!!
Also, it's looking dull in there... At the moment I have added a foraging toy, JW tumble bell toy and "calcium perch". I've been hesitant about purchasing anything in there, due to the stories I have read:15: I would be grateful for any suggestions, especially regarding safe toys/stimulation and perches. I doubt they will be spending a lot of time in there but nevertheless.

Thank you <3
https://imgur.com/a/DqAWH

 

[Pureblood]

I have these on the doors, they cannot go through this: https://www.scubastore.com/f/6/65054/cressi-carabiner-dir-316.jpg

 

[Teddscau]

I'd toss the dowel perches and get natural ones. I recommend cholla, grapevine, manzanita, apple, willow, etc. Get multi-branch perches, platform perches, etc. Also, I'd recommend a natural, unbleached cotton rope perch. Also, get a bungee for in there. I'd also recommend Caitec's Sisal Activity Sphere (might not fit in the cage). Also, I'd get rid of the plastic dishes and go with stainless steel. Plastic dishes get slimy and leach chemicals.

I'd recommend getting him/her a manu mineral block. I'd also recommend buying mahogany pods to shred, and an Ole Kabob to shred. Check out parrot perches, natural wood perches, parrot toys, safe parrot toy making parts, bird accessories, bird perches

Also, Arcadia bird lighting. They manufacture UVA/UVB bulbs for birds, as birds need UVA to see properly (birds see far more colours than humans can, as while as being able to see in ultraviolet). UVB is converted into vitamin D by the oils on their feathers, and when they preen, they ingest the vitamin D.

Oh, I find that Noah enjoys foraging toys. However, there's almost no foraging toys available in my birds' size, so I have to make my own. You can make one by drilling variously sized holes in a clean pill bottle, then putting food and/or shreddables in it (pellets, seed, nuts, birdie bread, veggies, food-grade flowers, grains, balsa, pieces of mahogany pods, paper, etc.).

 

[MonicaMc]

I've used a bolt, a wingnut and two washes to keep doors shut that I didn't want opened from the inside. This works for any that you don't want opening up frequently.

 

[Inger]

Agree with most of the above. I personally wouldn’t use the fasteners that have the little thumb latch because I’d worry about beaks and toes getting caught in them. I also wouldn’t put rope perches in the cage because again, they can wear or have a thread loose and injuries can happen. Same for any toy with rope or anything they might tangle themselves in - I put those toys outside and perches for supervised play.

Teddscau is right that it’s outrageously difficult to find foraging toys for the little ones. I’ve been irritated more than once with a “small” toy. Suggestions from my avian vet and that I’ve picked up from others are to just put some seeds or pellets in a Dixie cup and squish the top closed, roll up some paper with something inside it, things like that. Sort of like small children, sometimes they like the box better than the toy! Bumble has chewed a lot of labels from toys that are untouched!


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[Flboy]

Overall, a nice cage! All good suggestions! FYI, there are widely differing opinions on lighting! Both sides backed up by ‘science’!

 

[Loz]

Thank you everyone!! <3
I'm going to be tossing the dowel perches once the java multi-perch and manzanita branch arrives. I'll also be removing the plastic bowls when the SS bowls arrive - including a hanging one lol! I plan on ordering a rope perch in the near future. Regarding the bungee, do you mean the beaded one available online? Thanks for the link @Teddscau. There doesn't appear to be many UK websites for parrots excluding eBay and Northern Parrots. I spent the morning making a few DIY foraging toys with my toddler. We used leftover cardboard(from toilet tissue and kitchen roll) and shredded bits of tissue paper. I'll research the light.
@Inger I've not heard of a "dixie" cup before. I'm intrigued! I plan on making their toys... I think it will be a fun activity for me and bebe. Here is one of the foraging toys we created earlier https://imgur.com/a/hjU3a

I'll link/list a few of the items I'm expecting
http://www.northernparrots.com/plastic-wiffle-balls-parrot-toy-making-parts-pack-of-6-prod371207/
Teddy Treasure Parrot Toy
Baby Budgie Bundle (removing the bells)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272161082358 (taking the mirror off)
Stainless steel bell
Stainless steel skewer

 

[Inger]

What? The whole world doesn’t know about Dixie Cups? Ha! Dixie makes a wide variety of disposable cups, including tiny ones people use in the bathroom or well I guess wherever they want. The tiny ones are just paper-no wax etc. here’s a pic I found.

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[Loz]

What? The whole world doesn’t know about Dixie Cups? Ha! Dixie makes a wide variety of disposable cups, including tiny ones people use in the bathroom or well I guess wherever they want. The tiny ones are just paper-no wax etc. here’s a pic I found.

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I've not heard them called that before!! Where do you place yours? I've been thinking about getting leather rope... maybe I could attach a few to that?

 

[Inger]

I haven’t done anything with them yet, but the vet suggested just setting them on a play surface and letting her play.


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[tanyamitchellrn]

I have these on the doors, they cannot go through this: https://www.scubastore.com/f/6/65054/cressi-carabiner-dir-316.jpg

I have these too. Lol


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