Toy idea for lovebirds

[Betrisher]

My kids and I used to keep mice and were forever on the lookout for exciting new toys for them. One day, I found an old Slinky toy. I stretched it across the cage and before long all my mice were valiantly marching across it and enjoying the bouncy sensation. Eventually, I also hung another Slinky vertically from the roof and this was as big a hit as the first one. So, when my son was given a cage full of lovebirds for his birthday, it didn't take long before a Slinky found its way in along with the other toys.

The birds just love their Slinky! They hang from it, bounce on it, jump across and generally enjoy it like mad. It's their favourite toy. I just thought I would share this in case others might like to give their birds a Slinky as well.

 

[crimson]

I always love thinking 'outside the box', but I am concerned that the lovebirds may become entangled in the slinky.
I own 4 of them, and I've seen them get into some crazy situations with toys, luckily I've been around to save them.
maybe you could post a picture so can see the set up??

 

[Betrisher]

LOL! I watched them like a hawk for *hours* after I put the Slinky in, thinking exactly the same thing. Not once, ever, has any of my birds gotten tangled. I'll see if I can get some pics for you.

I have a question as well. I made a couple of those little tent-like snuggle beds for the lovebirds, thinking it might be nice for them to have a warm place to cuddle up on these cold winter nights. Not only did they take to the snugglies immediately, but they're also having what I can only call a love-in! Everyone seems bent on procreating!

I don't want to breed these birds, a) because I'm not experienced in handling babies and b) because I don't have facilities or time to care for them and c) I don't want my hens having clutches of eggs which may or may not hatch.

Should I remove the snuggle beds (assuming the lovies think they're nest-holes)? Is there an alternative way of keeping the kids warm at night? The cage is covered with a thick blanket, but the cold wind is pretty bitter.

Hope you've got some suggestions for me!

 

[weco]

I don't think you need worry too much about breeding them.....you seem to have provided good hints...paring opposite sexed birds, providing cozy niches they can hide in & if, as you say, they're bent on procreation, no, they're doing it for you...and...will probably fulfill this season's mission in short order.....

Given that you're moving into your winter months, down there in OZ, what kind of temps are we talking about ? ? ?

We often like to equate bird comfort with our own, but our feathered friends are capable of easily handling temps of around 2.2C as long as they don't have to contend with a wind factor.....

Your 'love-in' comment brings back interesting memories of an earlier period, a few years in the running and found by many to have been quite enlightening...interestingly enough, also called 'love-ins'.....

 

[Betrisher]

Sigh. Last year, our poor little Fischer's hen, Mango, had *three* clutches and not one hatching. So, I took out the nest boxes (which I had only included for warmth, really). This year, I kept seeing ads for these wretched snuggle beds, so I made some. The birds love them and actually lie down to sleep in them with their heads poking out. Now, after the love-in behaviour (yeah, I can remember those days too - fine times!), I'm nervous that more infertile eggs will happen to my hens' cost.

No, our winters certainly don't get down as far as 2ºC. Y'reckon they'll be OK just on their perches with a blanket covering? I s'pose I'd best get the snuggle beds out, then.

Mumblegrumble. And I thought I was doing them a good turn. Thanks for the advice, weco.