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trying to get more foraging toys!
- Thread starter Sookitiel
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If your looking for a cheap foraging option that can be bought locally, a shallow tray filled with crinkle paper or dry grass hay makes for an excellent basic foraging toy. Keeps them entertained for a long while and it's reusable.
I bought these large saucers from the garden section of a home improvement store. They are used to catch water under large flower pots. But any appropriately sized tray or shallow box would work. You probably already own something that would work. I buy hay for small animals from the pet store. A small bag should last you a while. Or you could use somethimg else, like shredded paper. I toss in a generous handful of grass hay, then sprinkle a variety of goodies on the grass for my birds to find. I usually add a variety of seeds, nutriberries, edible flower petals, dried herbs, freeze-dried chop, calcium clay, and other natural treats. To make it a bit of a challenge, I give the tray a little shake, so most of the treasures fall to the bottom and are hidden from view. But the birds know to start searching as soon as I bring out a fresh tray. And I will occassionally refresh the trays with more treats, so they keep coming back to check again.
It is a fun game ... and a nice place to take a nap.
I haven't used these indoors, but I recommend putting it on hard floor, so you can easily sweep up any grass or paper that escapes the tray. Or put a small foraging tray inside a larger tray to catch any mess.
Another simple DIY foraging toy just uses little paper cups. Start by offering the treat cups open and accessible, so your bird learns to recognize them and knows there is good stuff inside.
Then gradually increase the difficulty, by folding or pinching the cup closed. See how long it takes for him to work out how to reach the hiddsn treats!
Where I live, these cups are called "soufle cups" or condiment cups. You can buy them in packs of 50 or 100, so one bag of cups will last a long time and offer a lot of destructive parrot fun.
I bought these large saucers from the garden section of a home improvement store. They are used to catch water under large flower pots. But any appropriately sized tray or shallow box would work. You probably already own something that would work. I buy hay for small animals from the pet store. A small bag should last you a while. Or you could use somethimg else, like shredded paper. I toss in a generous handful of grass hay, then sprinkle a variety of goodies on the grass for my birds to find. I usually add a variety of seeds, nutriberries, edible flower petals, dried herbs, freeze-dried chop, calcium clay, and other natural treats. To make it a bit of a challenge, I give the tray a little shake, so most of the treasures fall to the bottom and are hidden from view. But the birds know to start searching as soon as I bring out a fresh tray. And I will occassionally refresh the trays with more treats, so they keep coming back to check again.
It is a fun game ... and a nice place to take a nap.
I haven't used these indoors, but I recommend putting it on hard floor, so you can easily sweep up any grass or paper that escapes the tray. Or put a small foraging tray inside a larger tray to catch any mess.
Another simple DIY foraging toy just uses little paper cups. Start by offering the treat cups open and accessible, so your bird learns to recognize them and knows there is good stuff inside.
Then gradually increase the difficulty, by folding or pinching the cup closed. See how long it takes for him to work out how to reach the hiddsn treats!
Where I live, these cups are called "soufle cups" or condiment cups. You can buy them in packs of 50 or 100, so one bag of cups will last a long time and offer a lot of destructive parrot fun.
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You’ll not really find cheap reusable foraging toys that are actually safe unfortunately.
If you’re looking for cheap foraging toys then you’re probably best off making your own from simple things such as shredded paper, boxes, cardboard tubes and other things you already have at home- there are many ways to make foraging toys/activities.
Foraging can be as simple as covering a bowl with screwed up paper or a sheet of paper (tied round the top of the bowl) or a leaf of lettuce, adding beads to the top of the food dish that your bird will need move to access the food or you can make it more difficult in an enclosed box that your bird must destroy to get to the goodies.
You’ll definitely want to ensure your bird knows how to forage before you make them forage for their main food supply.
Many of the reusable foraging toys are really worth what they cost as they can get used again and again and are definitely safe unlike some of the cheaper options found on eBay.
If you’re looking for cheap foraging toys then you’re probably best off making your own from simple things such as shredded paper, boxes, cardboard tubes and other things you already have at home- there are many ways to make foraging toys/activities.
Foraging can be as simple as covering a bowl with screwed up paper or a sheet of paper (tied round the top of the bowl) or a leaf of lettuce, adding beads to the top of the food dish that your bird will need move to access the food or you can make it more difficult in an enclosed box that your bird must destroy to get to the goodies.
You’ll definitely want to ensure your bird knows how to forage before you make them forage for their main food supply.
Many of the reusable foraging toys are really worth what they cost as they can get used again and again and are definitely safe unlike some of the cheaper options found on eBay.
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Here are a few threads that show foraging trays/boxes and other foraging toys.
lilmonstersbirdtoys.com
Foraging trays for my budgies!
These are Pipi and Ni, respectively I'm making a foraging toy for them. I'm inclined towards a tray as they tend to forage on flat surface. They don't forage much, though. Ni :yfbudgie:(the one in the 2nd photo) has behavioral problems like being hormonal and egg laying. When she's bored she...
forums.avianavenue.com
Interesting DIY ideas for this piece?
I get one of these pieces of cardboard in a delivery every week. I keep saving them to make some kind of interesting bird toy, but I haven't had any brilliant ideas yet. Would love to brainstorm with others! The whole thing is about 11x14, the holes are 7/8 inches across (23 mm). I have 2...
forums.avianavenue.com
Beginning foraging ideas for nearly blind, disabled Gray
I used to do some foraging for my TAG when he was younger but then he got sick and didn’t have the energy for it. Now he is well and I would like to add some foraging ideas but he is nearly blind and has arthritis. Also he is on the low end of weight and so I really want to maximize weight gain...
forums.avianavenue.com
Foraging Photos
I am interested in looking at your foraging toy photos! Do you have any to post? Also advice on how you have been using the Featherland Creative Foraging acrylic toys, specifically. I have the wheel (pictured below) and the hanging ball with tray (pictured below, but hanging instead of side...
forums.avianavenue.com
Foraging Toy Reviews
In my house, we try to do as much foraging as possible. For these reviews, I am using the impressions by Jingo, my quaker who lives with a family member, as well as my own bird, Ripley (Jardine's Parrot). I will be updating this as we explore more toys! Four Corner Foraging by Caitec Creative...
lilmonstersbirdtoys.com
Momof3litt
Sprinting down the street
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