Doug

You might want to use vet wrap or something to wrap the caps at the ends and the "T" at the top. Those fittings are very slippery. (That's something that I had to modify on my play stand.) I doubt that you'll be able to keep the tape in place (and I'm not sure that the tape - electrical tape? - is parrot-safe). You need to learn the tuck-and-wrap technique to finish wrapping the twine without it getting loose. You'll want to do it at an open end (instead of working towards a "T"). About three wraps from the end, cut it about 10 cm longer than you need. Put the end parallel to the tube you are wrapping and then do the last three wraps over this piece. You'll immediately see why you need to do this at the end of the tube - since you have a closed loop! After the last wrap, pull the end tight and trim it close. Great job!

It's a tough question. Some people say not to by twine (jute or sisal) from the hardware store because you don't know if it has been treated with chemicals (although I don't know why it would be - why add cost to a low cost item?). But how do you know that the stuff from a craft store is any better? There are no labeling requirements and typically the manufacturer is not going to respond to questions. I'd like to build more toys for Ellie, but I can't seem to be SURE that the components are safe...

I've been told that nickel-plated chain is okay. For all the rest of the hardware, I use stainless. Here's Ellie playing with some stainless hardware that I wasn't using and gave to her for playing. She likes to remove the wing nut and let all the stuff drop to the floor... Simple toys can be the most amusing... by shyzaboy, on Flickr

Every morning, I cut up some veggies for Ellie (typically: jalapeno pepper, bell pepper, squash, carrot, dark greens (kale or turnip greens), ginger, peas, green beans, corn on the cob, various other types of pepper, etc.) She ALWAYS goes for the corn on the cob. Loves that! As to the rest of the stuff, she eats some and other stuff she just throws to the bottom of the cage. Some times it is hard to see what she is actually eating versus dismantling. (The bottom of the cage looks like a vegetable war zone...) I don't know how much she really eats, but I try to give her a good variety from which to choose. I do know she eats plenty of her pellets... Her she is destroying the parts of a red bell pepper that I wasn't using for dinner: stem, core & seeds.... Fresh veggie devastation! by shyzaboy, on Flickr

What about coconut "meat"? Any issue it that?

I would guess that you'd have the same concern about the seeds as you would for apples. I.e., make sure they don't eat a bunch of them...

Untanned? Or un-colored? If it isn't tanned, it isn't flexible unless it is wet (rawhide).

About what type of chains are you asking? Metal? Plastic? If metal, get nickel-plated (most are zinc-plated, which is harmful over time). If plastic, it wouldn't hurt to send a note to the manufacturer and check the material and any additives. One plastic chain manufacturer stated, "With the exception of our safety orange and safety green, our chain does not contain heavy metals." Who expected the plastic chains to contain ANY heavy metals? As to the beads, buy a variety of sizes and shapes.

DJ is beautiful. Please keep us posted on his acclimatization. (And more pictures, of course!)

I read this thread after you posted about DJ. I'm sure having a new baby doesn't take away the pain from your loss, but it is still good to hear that you have some new joy to provide some balance. I can't imagine something happening to Ellie. They are certainly special creatures.

Nancy, if I understand correctly, pinning (or flashing) indicates excitement (negative AND positive excitement). So Sophie is excited about learning! Ellie pins when she gets a favorite treat.

When they are not confident in what they are saying, they practice in a safe/comforting place - preferably without pressure from a watching human. Like kids - a bit shy about trying new things. Apparently he is very relaxed in the shower...

Awww. How sweet! I was in Italy for a couple of weeks and a bit cobbled after that. Nothing aggravates a foot problem like walking around Venice for six hours a day for a couple of days...

All the same feelings (good and bad) as with my kids! Pride, amusement, frustration, anger. Love... Last night she was on the top branch on the cage's playtop and she didn't want to "go to bed". When I reached up to pick her up, she wouldn't step up - instead she kept putting her head down for a rub. Awwww... Okay, Ellie, a few more minutes...

Ellie's getting a BIT braver with the box... Still scared of the box... by shyzaboy, on Flickr (And regarding my previous comment about the cabinets - I've looked at the designer's plans and we have the cabinets going up to the ceiling except in the bar area in the far corner.)

Another picture of Ellie focused on devouring a peanut... (actually, she's more focused on tearing up the shell - I ended up giving most of the actual peanuts to my Shih-poo, Nala. Ellie just left them on the counter...) Noshin' on a nut... by shyzaboy, on Flickr

As to the design of the play-stand, may I suggest something similar to what I did with my OTHER PVC play-stand: It is all 1/2" except for the horizontal cross bar, which is 3/4". (She has a lot of natural wood in her cage and on the cage's playtop, so I didn't worry too much about variation.) The horizontal bar doesn't get much action from Ellie, but it is important for strength/stability. This playstand is a big hit with Ellie - she climbs all over it, including down on the table/tray surface. She is on this every evening for an hour or three (she also spends time on me or her cage play-top). I'm not sure I'd change anything, with the exception of making the tray a bit bigger so when she goes to the outer reaches of the PVC and poops, she doesn't hit the carpet... My only problem is that it is difficult to get newspaper to fill the space. I'd prefer a slick surface that I could wipe versus unfinished wood that has to be covered... Note: this picture was taken before I finished it. I added wheels, finished the vet wrap (I had run out), and added more toys. Whatcha doin', Doug? by shyzaboy, on Flickr Simple toys can be the most amusing... by shyzaboy, on Flickr

Mark, For a base in my tall play-stand, I used the following parts for the vertical PVC risers: 2" threaded plug: I drilled a hole in this and bolted it to the wooden base. Then I put in a 1 1/2" to 3/4" bushing (slip fit on both): It is a perfect slip fit into the inside of the plug. I used 3/4" PVC pipe for the risers (like you I have a TAG - for a CAG, I'd use 1"). I also have a center pole, but that was part of my original design that wasn't sufficiently stable. The center pole is 1", with a combination of a threaded/slip adapter and a galvanized floor flange. (In your case, I'd use schedule 80, since Spencer will probably go down to the table top.) If that doesn't make sense, I can include some pictures... I hope that is useful!

There seems to be some mixed opinions regarding the use of apple wood for perches. I've used hibiscus (H. syriacus) for perches in the cage and on the playtop. (I have an overgrown hibiscus hedge, so a few branches here and there aren't missed.) I leave the bark on and she takes it off... Tearing up the bark... by shyzaboy, on Flickr

"Treated" wood is clearly marked as such. It is intended for exposure to the elements and is definitely not bird-safe. Treated lumber has a green tint. The project wood (solid wood boards and dowels) should be fine. I've used pine pieces to make toys. Just ask for the untreated wood. I'd avoid plywood for exposed areas since the glue is unknown (but probably not a serious concern, but...)

I am excited about springtime - when the leaves are in, I can identify the trees in the woods around here and I can find the perfect branch/tree/root for a playstand! I want a wood that doesn't require the removal of bark - Ellie likes to do that herself...

I gave Ellie peanut butter only once. She managed to get it all over her beak (and some on her head) and spent a lot of time trying to wipe it off. On anything. Including me... I give her peanuts in the evening (in her foraging toy - she's greatly amused and the dogs eat all the shells that she drops so they're amused as well...) She has peanut breath at night... I may try some more tomorrow during breakfast preparation....

Now that I've had Ellie for a few months, I have a whole new perspective on the design requirements. Hopefully I'll put aside my laziness and make a few more playstands soon. (I have a large house and Ellie should have a place to play in all of the "public" rooms. My wife might disagree...)

I was confused a bit - I wondered why you answered my question in that thread instead of this one... Of course, Roanoke is a good 4 or 5 hours from Virginia Beach, so if I start making stuff you'll still have delivery issues!

That seems to be a natural phrase for a grey to learn first - after all, they're always into something they shouldn't be into...