Cheap DIY toy ideas?

[GloomyGoom]

Hello,

I currently work at a shelter and recently we received a large number of birds. We basically run on donations and we lack the supplies to keep all these guys happy. I am looking for some good cheapish DIY toys that I would be able to make myself. I can use power tools and can spend a some money on supplies but not a whole heck of a lot. We have medium to large parrots currently.

If anyone has some suggestions please post them! The birds and I thank you!

 

[Mizzely]

Kiln dried pine boards at your local lumber yard or home improvement store are going to be your best bet. You can use 2x4s or even furring strips. Cut them into slices (1/4" and 1/2" usually for medium birds and 1/2" to 1" for larger birds).

You can drill through and then string these on skewers or even just some unoiled sisal rope.

Cardboard cat scratchers (no catnip), or even cardboard boxes or drink holders from fast food are fun to shred.

Old paperback novels or phone books work too. Drill through and slip a zip tie through to hang it from.

Coin wrappers are fun to stuff with treats and pinch close for a foraging foot toy.

 

[Sparkles99]

If the large number of birds includes small species like canaries, budgies, etc, then I would set up foraging trays (trays filled with beads, broken toy parts, etc. & sprinkled with food). Just make sure they know food is there & have a source of it elsewhere too - we don’t know what kind of enrichment they’re used to.