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One of my favorite "sports" is hunting for like-new quality baby toys for parrots. They can be found at flea markets and yard sales for a mere fraction of their original price. Most of them cost only twenty-five to fifty cents. When I have collected a good number of them, I put the larger and sturdier ones in my jacuzzi with ten percent Clorox and let the waterjets and clorox do the cleaning. After a thorough rinsing, I let them air dry. I clean the smaller ones in my dishwasher. The fragile ones with music boxes go into a plastic bag which I fill with ozone, using an ozone unit for aquariums and an airstone. The bag is sealed for twenty-four hours, after which time the toys are germ free. When all the toys are clean and dry, I attach plastic C clips made for babies by Gerbers, and give them to my birds and to my friends' birds. All my babies go to their new homes with almost a lifetime supply of toys, especially their favorite ones! |
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Entertaining The Eclectus Parrots in the wild are very busy creatures. Locating food, water and nesting sites consumes much of their time. Socializing and grooming also keeps them busy. When we assume responsibility for their needs in a captive situation, we provide their food, water, and nestboxes, which virtually eliminates most of their natural activities. We've all seen the problems which boredom can cause in our pet birds such as feather plucking, screaming, and other undesirable behavior. TOYS TO THE RESCUE! Most of the toys made specifically for parrots are quite safe. Many of us also like to give our birds quality children's toys. Even used baby toys can be sterilized and hung in cages and playpens. By observing a few basic precautions, our birds can be safely entertained and stimulated for many enjoyable hours. Eclectus parrots especially enjoy ropes and swings, which brings up an important word of caution; always make sure there are no loose strings or material to entangle your bird's toes or feet! Eclectus toys need not be "macaw proof" but plastic toys should be sturdy enough to withstand normal beak pressure without splintering into dangerously sharp pieces. Infant toys usually are not as beak-proof as toys made for toddlers and older children. Even small stuffed animal toys can be given to parrots if there are no small parts to be removed and possibly swallowed. We must be ever diligent in preventing lead poisoning in our birds. Some of the old style bell toys for parrots use toxic lead clappers. Eclectus parrots enjoy and easily master the musical toys made for birds. Toys which incorporate food, such as millet sprays threaded into the wood blocks bored with holes for nut treats, are fun and rewarding for birds. Wooden toys which can be disintegrated by busy beaks are also appreciated by our feathered friends. We shouldn't consider a toy chewed to shreds as a sign of destructiveness. I believe that a "toy destroyed is a toy enjoyed"! We may not be able to bring the rainforest to our Eclectus, but with a little caution and imagination, we can create a safe and stimulating environment where they always can find something safe and fun to do! |
