The domestic parrot needs human attention and has difficulty withstanding loneliness. When the owner is not around, a parrot's play area can save the day. A well-equipped entertainment complex helps birds spend their time profitably, spend energy, and be creative. And for active birds, play stands equipped with entertaining items are necessary. You can buy a finished product for your pet or make it yourself from scrap items.
Choice
It is vital for any parrot species to spend time outside the cage. If at the same time they do not have any entertainment, the bird will find something to do on its own. Owners may not like this activity very much - often, as entertainment, pets tear wallpaper, gnaw cables, gnaw furniture, and so on. To initially solve this problem, you need to choose a gaming stand wisely.
Any store has a huge variety of options. Most often, they are no different from each other; parrots of any breed and size can use them. As soon as any part of the site becomes unusable, it can be replaced in the same store. At the same time, it is not necessary to spend money on the purchase.
If you show your imagination, you won’t have any problems creating a unique gaming stand that your bird will love.
A number of important requirements must be observed:
- To make the playground and toys on it, you must use only safe materials.
- The location of the site plays a significant role. It should be placed near the cage, in a lighted, warm place without drafts. It is better to first observe your feathered pet a little and place the play stand in his favorite place.
- Particular attention should be paid to the stability of the structure. If for some reason the game stand falls while the bird is on it, the bird is unlikely to return in the future.
- The playground should have a flat base (a pallet is ideal), and it is also advisable to attach sides - in this case, the toys will not fall out.
- When choosing rings, you need to pay attention to the size. The parrot must crawl inside completely or, conversely, not climb at all.
One of the not-so-obvious advantages of using game stands is that the bird’s waste will not need to be searched throughout the room, it will be located in one place.
What kind of cage should a large parrot have?
The dimensions of a bird cage depend on how much space is planned to be allocated for the birds’ housing. At the same time, it should have dimensions close to the standards of 75x100x175 cm. Smaller - only if a large parrot has the opportunity to often fly around the room.
Very small dimensions are bad for your pet's health. He will feel constrained, move little, it will be uncomfortable for him to eat and clean his feathers. It is difficult for birds to delimit zones in a small home. As a result, the parrot's immunity will decrease. He will often get sick, eat poorly and his communication skills will be zero. It will be difficult to make friends with such a parrot and teach it to talk.
Toys for stand
In any pet store, the owner may be faced with the problem of choosing not only the playground itself, but also the toys to fill it. They vary in shape, size, purpose and cost. The most important parameter that you need to pay attention to when choosing is safety. It is better to divide the gaming stand into zones in advance, placing different toys in different parts of the site - separately for physical activity, separately for intellectual activity. Most often, owners purchase the following toys:
- Any bird loves to have fun on a swing , which is why they are one of the most popular accessories that must be on the playground. You need to find out in advance which birds they are suitable for. If you buy a swing designed for large breeds for a small wavy, he will have difficulty using it.
- Bells are no less popular toys, which can be both simple and interactive. The first ones are designed as simply as possible and make sounds after touching, and to receive a sound from the second, you need to do some kind of action - push or press.
- The rings are used to develop the parrot's physical abilities. Birds use the accessory in different ways - they hang upside down or tumble with it. You can purchase either a simple version that is simply attached to the site, or one that is hung with a rope.
- balls for their pleasure . Interactive toys are especially popular. The most striking example is a basketball basket, which makes a sound when the ball hits it.
- The birds are delighted with jumping on ordinary perches , which are located in the cage, but if they use a ladder , they will get even more pleasure. You need to choose a toy of this type based on the size of the bird.
Of course, the range of pet stores is much wider than the list above. The choice should be based on the desires of the owner, the preferences of the pet and the amount of money. Budgerigars are curious birds, so over time they will try everything they see in the play stand.
After some time, a specific list of toys that will enjoy particular love and popularity will become clear.
Business
Today, private areas are being built, which are commonly called dog salons. They are available to people with high incomes. Designers are constantly coming up with dog clothes, haircuts and accessories. And the demand for these types of goods does not dry out. Every city has special clinics for dogs, dog training courses, etc. Why not take this information to someone’s attention and create a private walking area? To do this you need to do the following:
- find a plot and rent it;
- sow it with grass, plant large bushes;
- You can choose a site either in residential areas or in the countryside;
- if you want to get a plot in the center, you will have to focus on a small area.
Main costs:
- rent;
- installation of fences;
- placement of exercise equipment and other equipment for dogs.
The cost of the “ticket” is calculated depending on the services provided - how far the site is from the city, whether there is a professional trainer on its territory, whether hairdresser services are provided: whether it is possible to wash and cut a pet on the territory. Keep in mind that in a paid area the owner will not want to clean up after his pet, so you will need a staff of cleaners. This type of business is promising not only because it is characterized by great demand, but also because it has no competitors. This niche has not yet been filled. Dog owners with money are ready to leave any money, as long as the pet is happy. “Ordinary citizens” will thank you for the opportunity to feel free.
To quickly recoup your business idea, start with a purely symbolic entry fee and sell additional items: for example, disposable paper bags with brushes. And also organize the sale of dry dog food of different brands on site. Don't forget about toys and owners. Set up water and ice cream stands. Take the first step towards a useful and promising business.
You can watch an overview of dog walking areas in New York in the video below.
Manufacturing
Making a stand yourself is not the most difficult procedure; the main thing is to make it according to the size of the bird. Small parrots are constantly on the move, they need a large variety of toys that will allow them to have a good time. Larger breeds are less fussy and prefer to strut around the area, walk on bridges and hang on rings.
Options
There are a lot of manufacturing options, it all depends on the owner’s flight of fancy. The easiest way is to purchase (or find) several strong branches and scald them with boiling water several times. Then you need to attach them to the bars of the cage and connect them together, as if setting up a tent. You can attach any toys to this base - ropes, ladders, rings, bells, and so on.
There is another option that will take a little longer, but the result will be more thorough. First you need to take the bottom of the stand; strong plywood or a small board will do. You need to go over it with sandpaper, the end result should be a smooth surface without chips or splinters. If you cover the base with film in advance, it will be easier to remove later. The penultimate stage is to screw in wooden posts of different shapes and sizes. Various toys are later attached to them.
Materials
The most suitable material for creating the base is plywood or wood board. The second option is preferable due to the greater weight, which leads to stability.
Otherwise, the lightweight bottom will need to be attached to some kind of bedside table or cabinet for stability.
It is necessary to screw the legs to the bottom so that it does not subsequently scratch the surface on which it will be located. To choose, you can go to your nearest hardware store, where there is a huge variety of options. The posts can also be made from wood. It is better to fasten them with self-tapping screws or a rope; the glue can be toxic and have a negative impact on the bird’s health.
Preparation
The very first stage of preparing the manufacture of a play stand for parrots with your own hands is the selection of a suitable material for the base. You should proceed from where the platform will be located, whether it needs to be attached to the surface or whether it will stand on legs. After this, you will need to purchase everything you need for collection. You should choose based on the size of the bird and the preferences of the owner.
Collection process
You don't need to show a lot of imagination during assembly. You can go to the nearest pet store, choose the option you like best and find detailed assembly instructions on the Internet. If it is not there, you can specify all the sizes yourself. Another option is to visit the manufacturer’s official website and download the manufacturing diagram from it and cut out all the parts yourself, and then carefully sand them.
Pros and cons of a purchasing platform
Not everyone has the time, desire and skills to build a high-quality gaming complex. The easiest way is to buy a parrot stand at a large pet store or online. Companies that manufacture equipment for pets offer a variety of designs. The finished platforms are made taking into account the breed of bird and its dimensions.
Advantages of purchased stands:
- carefully processed parts (straight cuts, polished surfaces);
- environmentally friendly materials;
- safe fasteners and components;
- Possibility of choosing a design - floor, tabletop, hanging.
If you don’t like any of the ready-made models, you can order a platform from the workshop by agreement. True, such work will cost more than a standard product.
Some advantages of purchased playgrounds for parrots are also disadvantages: smooth slats, devoid of bark, give the stand an ostentatious, toy-like appearance. A beautiful, but low-functional model, it seems as if it was intended for exhibition, and not for active use. The elements are connected to each other impeccably, there are no unnecessary protrusions, everything is orderly. There is no natural chaos of natural branches, no place to hide.
Training
Parrots are very curious pets, who at the same time are quite cowardly. They are very wary of new things and may shy away from a new toy at first. If the bird saw how the owner built the site with his own hands, by the time construction is completed he will not be afraid of the new structure. The pet should be gradually introduced to the new “play space”. If the bird sees that the owner himself is touching the swing or ringing the bell, he will independently go to check what has aroused such interest of the owner.
How to train your pet to play
Parrots are inquisitive and active birds. However, they are also shy. They are very cautious about everything new, and the appearance of a new accessory in the room may be viewed with caution.
If the bird followed the process of creating the stand, it will not be afraid of it and will deftly begin to explore it as soon as you are finished. But if you brought it in from outside, watch how the pet reacts.
Gradually and unobtrusively introduce him to the site, do not rush things. Play with the rattles yourself, rock the swings, ring the bells, spin the carousels, in general, show how much fun your pet will have at this stand. Curiosity will overcome and the bird will try everything itself.
Play areas for parrots are not a luxury item, but a necessity. Birds need to be busy with something interesting all the time. They get sick from boredom and loneliness. If you can't spend a lot of time with your pet, get him a friend or give him such an accessory. And then the bird will have something to do in your absence.
If you think making a DIY parrot stand is a difficult task, watch this video with three interesting options for simple play areas for feathered pets:
Making a suspension bridge
We will need a rail with a cross section of 15x15mm, which is left over from the ladder. We saw it in half and get a rail with a cross section of 7.5x15mm. The “home lathe” trick won’t work here, so you’ll have to use your hands. We chamfer the edges of the slats and round the corners to obtain a slatted oval cross-section. We mark 10cm long dies on the rail and cut them off. I got 4 dies from one rack, but I need 8-9. We repeat the process.
Now I have 9 dies and a desire to make holes (;-). I mark points for the holes at an equal distance from the edges (not very close), and drill the dies right through. A little trick - we put a piece of plywood under the part that we want to drill through (which is no longer available) and when drilling, we firmly press the part against it, then when the drill comes out on the other side, it will not tear out extra pieces of wood.
Now we have 8-9 ready-made dies for the bridge and they need to be fastened to each other; “Fisherman’s Cord” is best suited for this - the bird will not tear it in the first five seconds.
We lay out the dies in a row, so that our bridge will look like it. We measure the length of the cord; it should be 3 times longer than the bridge. We make a second cord of the same length, and start knitting (just kidding - weaving) the bridge. Find the center of the cord and fold it in half. We insert the resulting loop into the hole in the central die. Holding the protruding loop, we thread the loops into the dies on the left side. Having reached the end, we draw the end into the hole of the platform (oh, yes, I forgot - we need two more platforms so that the bridge itself can be attached to the posts).
Next, we insert the cord through the loops to the central die. We do the same with the right side of the bridge. Having done one side, we do the second. When all the dies and platforms are woven, you need to hang them on two posts. In a suspended state, the bridge will be easier to pull up. Let me remind you that we are making a “Bridge”, not a rope ladder, so there should be no gaps between the dies and platforms, otherwise the parrot can damage its paw.
After tightening the bridge, we tie the cord and singe its ends, pressing the singed ends with our fingers. The bridge is ready!
It took me about an hour to make it. Let's move on to the next stage.
Difficulties during transportation
Travel is a serious stress for a bird. Despite the fact that its beloved owner is nearby, the parrot is affected by a number of irritants. New objects, sounds, flashes and flickering lights. A state of stress leads to various diseases; “advanced” forms sometimes doom the bird to death.
It is when traveling that the risk of a bird getting into a draft is high. The thought that a pet could be “blown away” scares owners for good reason – this can lead to death.
Perhaps a carrier is needed precisely in order to protect both the bird and its owner from such troubles. It isolates the parrot from the outside world.
Children's house in the country
If you have construction skills, you can build a real wooden children's house. Children really like to feel independent and create their own space to live and play.
It’s especially great if there is a spreading tree growing at the dacha - a house that floats high in the air - this is the dream of every child.
The house-tent-hut at the dacha is certainly one of the most favorite children's elements. But you shouldn’t think that grandiose, solid structures are absolutely necessary. After all, a child grows quickly, why set up something that the baby will soon outgrow to last forever. A fabric tent will be no less a joy on a hot summer day.
House-tent in the country
The tree will also help you make an unusual shelter house out of ribbons, where it’s so much fun to hide and then find each other.
Various materials are suitable for a hut house: wood, ribbons, scraps of old fabric, mowed grass.
How to make a hut house without special construction skills. An unusual idea is a green gazebo made of twigs and climbing plants. Such a house will not protect you from the rain, but how natural, organic and stunning it is. On a hot summer day - a shelter and a cozy corner.
