Hanging Bird Gym

[sugarbeth]

I made this a while back, and totally forgot to post it on craftster!





I wanted to get one of those hanging java gyms, like this one:
http://birdcages4less.com/page/B/PROD/Parrot_Playstands/PA3616
but they are pretty pricey and I figured I could just make one. A friend of mine recently pruned their apple tree and I asked for some branches. They are big into organic stuff, so I knew they didn't spray the tree.

I cut 12" pieces for the cross bars, and then a ton of little randomly sized discs. I left all the bark and twiggy bits on to chew. Once all the pieces were cut and drilled I washed them and baked them in the oven for a bit before stringing them together.

I had some leftover star cutouts from a craft project long ago, so I used those too, and I stringed a store-bought foraging toy in the midde. The string I used is made out of paper that I bought from a local parrot toy warehouse. Then I put bits of raffia on it too. The whole thing is a chewy/preening extravaganza. I hung it in my kitchen for my future Hahn's macaw and our budgies if they ever venture in there.

Thanks for looking!

[italianchildhood]

Oh, I love it!

[thisbirdsabsurd]

That is great !  Your macaw will have so much fun with that!  I have a few parrots and believe me - you'll save a ton of money by making your own toys!