My Foraging Box

[BaileysPapa]

Recently I posted about my Foraging Box/ Play Box, but could not add pictures. So, I've started this thread to show what I meant. It is a plastic storage box that you can buy in any Walmart, K Mart, or many other stores. I used the "under the bed" size. I am using an old rope perch as a ladder for the fids to climb into & out of it. I put all kinds of foot toys, shredding things, wicker balls, bamboo finger traps, plastic children's jacks, and anything else I think the fids would like. I also sprinkle dried fruit, Nutri-Berries, various seeds, pellets, etc. I just add a few each day. Also, everyday I clean any poops out of it. But, I only clean the box out every 10 days or so. This allows a build up of material for them to forage through. Then, I empty the seedhulls, etc. in the garbage, wash any toys that need washing. And wash the entire box with hot soapy water. After wiping it out, and letting it dry, we start all over again. This box is used by all of my birds, from my tiny Parrotlet, to my big, beautiful Grey. Each bird has favored things, and I make sure that there is always a good choice for each of them. This is also a good place to introduce new toys, new foods, and new friends. It is not any one birds' cage, so several of them get along in here, like a communal feeding area. Of course, they don't all get along, all the time. So, like any toy or activity, your supervision is the key to making this work.

[Timbersmom]

I put forage stuff for Timber in paper sacks and cardboard boxes (both of which he loves). He will eat the stuff he wants then demolish the sack or box at his leisure. Looks like you have a good thing going there!

[judygram]

What a great idea that is, I am gonna have to try this, its wonderful how our members keep coming up with ways to entertain our fids and thanks for sharing it with us.

[katana600]

That is a great idea to have a neutral zone where all the parrots can watch the interaction with you and others and join in without the territorial issues. Your idea may be just the thing I need right when I needed it as Miss Gilbert is just now beginning to look outside her cage for interesting things in the greater world around her. She and our smaller parrot have not been friends, but maybe if they have a spot far from either cage it may be just the opening we were looking for to get them both to have a little more activity in their day. Thanks for the idea.

[BaileysPapa]

The way that I introduce new birds to my flock through the play box is to first get the new bird comfortable with the box by himself. Then, I put the new bird in the box, and bring the others to the box with the new bird already there. Also, you should bring the more aggressive birds, the more territorial birds, and the bigger birds, to the box after the other birds are already there. This makes it seem that the less aggressive, or smaller birds, are the "owner" of the space, and were there first. It doesn't always work, but, in flock dynamics, that gives the birds there first, a bit of an upper hand. And makes the later arrivals interlopers into the already occupied space. Again, not always. It depends on the birds' personalities. As with any toy or activity, your supervision, as flock leader, is the key to making this work.