Doug Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 (edited) Oops, I did it again.... Ellie likes sitting on the back of the couch and looking out the window. Of course, that means poop on the couch. And that means she is chewing on the couch and the corners of the window and the curtains... So I made a perch for her. Because parrots are notorious biting machines, I wanted to make sure that the suction cups were out of her reach. Also, I wanted a "catch tray" for poop, since this would be over the couch (or over the kitchen counter/sink). I put up two sets of suction cups - one in the sun room (over the couch) and one in the kitchen. That way she can hang out with me when I cook. (I can't leave her on her cage's playtop when I'm cooking because she keeps trying to fly into the kitchen to be with me...) Plus, by hanging the perch on the hooks, it means that I can hide it out of the way when she's not using it. Kel is reluctant to fill the house with parrot perches for some reason... Naturally, she immediately climbed down and started walking around the poop tray, sometimes sticking her butt over the edge while she bit the edges of the plastic. So I'm sure there will still be poop incidents. Hopefully greatly reduced in frequency.... The plastic "catch tray" is corrugated plastic and pretty slick (which I wanted for easy of cleaning) but she slips around on it. I may have to change it out. I wonder if I could get a lightweight serving tray about the right size so it would have a lip... I love working in PVC for this kind of project as it is so easy to whip something together and to modify the design. Plus it's cheap... (This picture was taken in the kitchen while I was preparing her breakfast this morning...) Note: my expectations with regard to keeping the suction cups out of reach were optimistic at best (more accurately, "foolish"). I'm sure you experienced parrot owners where chuckling at my naivety... See this post for pictures. Edited February 29, 2012 by Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Very, very nice. I want one too!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 Extremely easy to make - as long as you have a power miter saw. It can be done with a hand saw, of course, but it would no longer be "extremely easy"... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bran Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 okay, I am officially referring to you as the MacGuyver of the aviculture! Just thought I would let you know!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katana600 Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 My grey isn't near as adventurous as Ellie, nor is he flighted just yet. I am going to keep watching your posts because when he does become flighted, you have already worked out all the logistics of making some beautiful and thoughtfully constructed play areas. Well done Doug! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 I only wish that Ellie was either: (1) LESS adventurous; or (2) a better flyer! She was on the "coffee-table-style" playstand last night. Kel was in the sunroom with her while I was putting my son to bed. Ellie decided, apparently, to come find me. She took off and flew around a couple of corners and ended up in the living room. Ellie has clipped wings, but she can still fly about forty or fifty feet at the same altitude (so to speak). And she is ALWAYS giving thought to taking off and flying... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2cute Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 Wow you are very creative ! I've seen some of your previous perches, good work on those . I am trying to get one started and I'm trying to make it look as close as to the second one you made its the one that's by the couch . I think it looks fantastic and your grey seems to enjoy it Thanks for sharing your great ideas . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greywings Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 I have read that you can "saw" through PVC with fishing line. you are creative and may need to think about supply and demand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fidsandfrats Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Oops, I did it again.... Ellie likes sitting on the back of the couch and looking out the window. Of course, that means poop on the couch. And that means she is chewing on the couch and the corners of the window and the curtains... So I made a perch for her. Because parrots are notorious biting machines, I wanted to make sure that the suction cups were out of her reach. Also, I wanted a "catch tray" for poop, since this would be over the couch (or over the kitchen counter/sink). I put up two sets of suction cups - one in the sun room (over the couch) and one in the kitchen. That way she can hang out with me when I cook. (I can't leave her on her cage's playtop when I'm cooking because she keeps trying to fly into the kitchen to be with me...) Plus, by hanging the perch on the hooks, it means that I can hide it out of the way when she's not using it. Kel is reluctant to fill the house with parrot perches for some reason... Naturally, she immediately climbed down and started walking around the poop tray, sometimes sticking her butt over the edge while she bit the edges of the plastic. So I'm sure there will still be poop incidents. Hopefully greatly reduced in frequency.... The plastic "catch tray" is corrugated plastic and pretty slick (which I wanted for easy of cleaning) but she slips around on it. I may have to change it out. I wonder if I could get a lightweight serving tray about the right size so it would have a lip... I love working in PVC for this kind of project as it is so easy to whip something together and to modify the design. Plus it's cheap... (This picture was taken in the kitchen while I was preparing her breakfast this morning...) Very well done!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsjr Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 if you have a parrot store nearby you could show it to them and see if they would be interested in buying a few from you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted November 8, 2011 Author Share Posted November 8, 2011 if you have a parrot store nearby you could show it to them and see if they would be interested in buying a few from you. We don't have much in the area, but maybe I can check it out... Thanks for the idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimKim Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 What a good idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolz7 Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 Now that is amazing idea. Where did you get suction cups that actually work. I love pvc i told my kids i want to spend Christmas Day in a Homedepot just in the pvc isle. Dont buy any gifts just let me drool and dream about things i can make out of pvc. I hate how the employees are always bugging you to help you in that isle. Yet when you tell them what you are doing and if they have any suggestions on how to or whatever, they are usually clueless. So why even bother to tell them. Dont interrupt me when i am in the freaking pvc isle, lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted November 15, 2011 Author Share Posted November 15, 2011 The suction cups were from Lowes. http://www.lowes.com/pd_168540-695-17689_0__?productId=3071827 I'm sure there are a lot of alternatives, but that seemed the strongest of the ones that Lowes was selling. And I wanted to make it RIGHT THEN NO WAITING!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cupid Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Doug, you really should think about possibly making a couple of these to sell. If the price was right Im sure some of our less handy members would love to have one of your PVC creations. You do a great job doing what you do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cupid Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 By the way, I love ELEGUA!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
austinrngr Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Doug, i just wanted to say Thank You. That window perch is awesome. I instantly ran out to buy the stuff to make one. bella loves it. She gets to look out the window and watch the people walking by. http://i1144.photobucket.com/albums/o488/austinrngr/DSCN0601.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share Posted January 23, 2012 Doug, i just wanted to say Thank You. That window perch is awesome. I instantly ran out to buy the stuff to make one. bella loves it. She gets to look out the window and watch the people walking by. http://i1144.photobucket.com/albums/o488/austinrngr/DSCN0601.jpg Cool! I'm glad Bella likes it! What did you use for the bottom? (The picture is too tiny!) How old is Bella? Ellie is only 7 months old and entirely too adventurous for her own good, so she doesn't stay on the perch for very long before she's flying somewhere. Anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
austinrngr Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 (edited) Sorry about the tiny picture. I tried 4 times yesterday and it kept coming out huge. I think I got it now. http://i1144.photobucket.com/albums/o488/austinrngr/DSCN0599-1.jpg I used the same thing as you did. It seemed like the lightest option and it does clean up easily. The corrugated plastic board is easy to find at ant office supply store. Bella is 4 yrs old. I got her when she was 5 months old. she doesn't mind hanging out in one spot as long as she has something to do or if someone is in the same room. Its obvious you love your bird with all those great things you make. I'm almost tempted to copy your coffee table playcenter. I just couldn't figure out what holds up the board. or do the legs end under the table or do they go thru the table? Edited January 23, 2012 by austinrngr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share Posted January 23, 2012 Here's a shot of the underside. The "coffee table" portion is plywood with a wood rim. The "legs" of the top section go into the main legs. None of the PVC is glued. Ellie spends a LOT of time getting peanuts out of the "foraging toy". The table/rim catches MOST of the shells. The dogs get the rest. (I guess they need roughage...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
austinrngr Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 That picture explains a lot for me. thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballsy Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Wow, very well done!! I have to try make one of these!!!! Step by step guide please Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerial.2000 Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 lol I am so not the crafty type :rolleyes: but that is a fantastic idea ... i would buy one for sure I sent a pic of that one to my neighbor see if he can make me one lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echos_Peeps Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 nice perch! Ive tried my hand at acouple. but Echoe thinks they will come to life and eat her alive,,, still though, I will have to try this one. Thankx! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted February 29, 2012 Author Share Posted February 29, 2012 Well, I'm sure you all were laughing at me when I said, "I wanted to make sure that the suction cups were out of her reach." Nothing is out of the reach of a determined parrot... Ellie spent a lot of time climbing on the toys, fighting them sometimes and trying to get to the top other times... Climbing and playing... by shyzaboy, on Flickr Naturally, it wasn't THAT long before she finally made it to the top (and was able to hold on) and then she immediately went for the hooks on the suction cups... Nothing is parrot-proof by shyzaboy, on Flickr I guess it comes down to keeping the suction cups out her reach or having toys to occupy her... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now