Doug

Well, it might be nice to buy it in less than 50' lengths to get a bigger variety of colors. The standard duty 2" chain from Mr. Chain is $0.85. (More expensive, but available in any length.) By the way, in the link that you provided, the orange is $0.60 per foot, the yellow is $0.70 per foot and the pink and green are $1 per foot. If you're buying multiple colors it is a bit of a toss... Once I hear back about the UV coating (if it is not an issue), I will probably buy 10' each of a half dozen different colors, just to mix things up.

Here's one to consider: http://www.mrchain.com/plastic-chain/ring-plastic-chain/2-ring-plastic-chain 2" diameter round links. You can get them in huge variety of very bright colors (including flourescent and alternating). Hmm. I just noticed this note: "All plastic chain from Mr. Chain is treated with U.V.-protectant coating for long-lasting color and quality." I sent them an email asking about that, but I'm not sure it is bird-safe. I only saw that noted on the "heavy duty chains" section - it was not mentioned on any of the other plastic chain categories. I wonder if that is a standard practice with plastic chain manufacturers.

I was looking for very small chain to go through the center of blocks of wood, etc., to make hanging toys. As you can see to the right of that picture, I am using some plastic chain on its own for a toy. (In that case, I have three strands hanging together). One my play stand, I have one strand connecting two perches: I like your idea of using tie-wraps to attach stuff to the chains. (I use tie-wraps as much as I use duct tape in my daily life. I've already used tie-wraps in several of the bird toys that I've made...)

I'm lucky in two ways: MOST of it washed off AND I am not visiting any customers this week!

I'd be happy to do so! Making it is a lot easier than designing it! (I just kinda winged it, changing things as necessary...) As a homebrewer, I am used to "repurposing" hardware - it involves a LOT of time at the hardware store staring at parts and trying to figure out how to do stuff the manufacturers never intended when they designed their parts...

I just used the Chefmaster Liqua-Gel tonight: I noticed that one of the main ingredients is high fructose corn syrup. Is that included in the DecoPac LiquaGel? I found that I need to ensure that, if I am going to put two colors on one piece of wood, I'd better let the first color thoroughly dry first. Otherwise the second color bleeds HEAVILY into the first...

It looks like the Gorilla Glue is gonna do the trick! I had to use my Dremel to grind down both pieces where they were glued together as they both had raised print. I used a 3" cap (which is more in-line with the dishes in the cage). I also used a 3/4" plug. (Note that I replaced the elbow with a T. I just used the plug (slip fit) rather than a threaded fitting since I couldn't find a T with two slip & one threaded.)

This is my first attempt to dye wood (using Chefmaster Liqua-Gel). Of course, I should've used gloves... I also found that you should wait until the dye is fully dry before drilling the holes... Next time I'll use a greater variety of wood sizes. I used small lengths of PVC (mostly 1/2") as spacers. The sticks of wood are hibiscus, cut and popped in the oven for a while (at 450 F) to kill any bacteria or mold. (Of course, I'm not putting it right in front of the door - I just put it there for the picture...)

Well, it is on wheels so I can quickly move it to vacuum... I still need to make a lip around the bottom. I forgot to buy the wood for that when I was buying the wood for the toys that I'm making right now...

Okay, I added four risers for additional stability. I also made a round swing (cutting a slice off of a 6" PVC coupling and wrapping it with jute). I'm not really sure if the spacing will work for her to go from perch to perch. I'll wait until I get her and see how she plays before I make any more mods. I have the water dish in process... Now I'm going to cut & dye some wood for a few toys...

I guess there could be some concern about fungus of some sort in the middle (as with any wood product). I think it would be easy enough to boil them or bake them first. (Or a combination of the two...)

Hah! While I was lying in bed last night, unable to sleep, I had decided to do something similar - but I will use different heights on the corner risers for more visual variety. And there is my opportunity to use the pink/black zebra stripe vet wrap! But it will have to wait for the weekend since I leave on a business trip in the morning (and hope to go to the SW VA Bird Club meeting tonight. If I can figure out where it is - the website hasn't been updated in many months...)

Gorilla Glue is good with wood, but I'm not so sure about PVC. I'll give it a try as it is one of my old stand-bys...

Thanks, Jenn. I'll buy some nickel-plated chain to make my toys. (And yes, I will be careful about the type of chain to avoid claw snags!)

The stuff at the hardware store does not mention any treatments. (Nor is it glossy or sticky.) The smell is the same as the stuff from the craft store.

I was thinking about doing something like that, but I was concerned about what type of glue to use. Of course, it would take some mighty effort for her to get to the glued location, but...

It is really hard to contain my excitement. I still have almost two weeks to wait, though. <HEAVY sigh> I hope she has an easy transition.

No problem. I have been reading through a lot of threads getting ready to bring my TAG home (in less than two weeks!) and I noticed a lot of these kind of posts. The poster says something completely generic, usually in somewhat broken English ("I really appreciate all of the good information. It will be very useful to me going forward.") or something pulling in a key word or two ("I am really impressed with the information about maintaining weight. I will definitely follow this in the future.") These posters never have anything about parrots in their signature, but they always have a link. (When I kept a blog long ago, I used to get a few of these a week - usually bots.) It is easy enough to ignore this kind of post. I was just curious about the process on this board. (And, yeah, unfortunately it happens EVERYWHERE! Ugh.)

I hope I won't be ripped to shreds for asking this but as a die-hard skeptic, I feel compelled... Do we know that it is better to feed greys a mix of fresh veggies and grains versus pellets? Why do I ask? I wonder if we can do a better job of meeting our birds' requirements than the scientists at the pellet manufacturer. How often is our best effort to do the right thing, in fact, the wrong thing? A lot of lists talk about each veggie/grain/nut and how they contribute to the grey's health. But is a result of research on GREY'S? Or is this information from the effects on humans? Do we have any way of quantitatively evaluating the impact of any of the recommended diets? (As an engineer, I look for statistically significant data, not anecdotal evidence. As compelling as an individual's story can be, it doesn't necessarily tell the whole story...)

Just curious about this forum - are there moderators to eliminate obvious spam (like Stanley & Chris Broad above) where the only purpose is to provide a link to an unrelated business?

Jenn, I can't find anywhere to actually order the Decopac Liqua-gel. I can find Chefmaster Liqua-Gel Food Color. Same thing? http://www.bakedeco.com/detail.asp?id=10266

Oh, the base won't tip at all. It is 24" x 24". (On casters so I can move it around easily to clean.) The PVC structure is just not as stiff as it could be (due to the height). I wrapped the PVC with vet wrap (per some websites about making parrot playstands). I just found some vet tape that is pink with black zebra stripes that will look interesting once I have a chance to make something else...

Thanks, Jenn! I'll be making a handful of toys next weekend.

I alternated 1/2" and 3/4" PVC for the perches to give her some variation in grip. I'm not sure it is stable enough (a bit wobbly, but won't fall over or anything like that). Of course I'm a 220 pound (100 kg) man and not a <1 lb bird... I still plan to put a water dish somewhere but haven't worked that bit out yet... I will also make a lip on the base to keep the mess (slightly) contained. Any suggestions or criticisms?

Eventually, I will need to get a carrier that will fit under an airplane seat. But at this point, I am primarily concerned with bringing my TAG home from the breeder and going to the vet. Your first suggestion looks pretty good.