Caspersmum Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Hey Guys, I've just ordered a load of rope to make a cargo net for Casper to clamber about on. I ordered it from the manufacturers who assured me it's totally free of any chemicals. I've seen these cargo nets on line for parrots to play on, but they're really expensive, so thought I'd do a DIY job. The only problem is I haven't got a clue how to make it! I was just wondering if anyone has any stunning rope-knotting skills they can share with me. I'd also like to know if anyone has any other suggestions for cheap toys. By the way, if any of the rest of you want to buy cheap rope try mariners chandelries - the ones I phoned were really helpful. Apparently they'd had lots of people wanting rope for parrots! And it's about half the price of the stuff sold on line for parrot usage, Anyway, hope you all passed your girl-guide or scouts badges for knot tying! Julia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 :laugh: Julia... you first order the material and then see how you can make it? :laugh: I wish I could help you, but unfortunately -as you- I have no clue... :blink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Monique Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Tons of suggestions for cheap toys!! Crumped paper, bits of yarn on their cage, some baby toys (like those plastic keys), pine cones, bits of safe wood (google to get non-poisonous wood to chew on) cardboard boxes, empty soda bottles, empty paper cups put on a chain (like comes on your store bought toys) to the top of your cage filled with bits of crinkly paper or streamer to pull out, toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, adding machine tape, you can build swings or shower perches or play stands inexpensively out of PVC pipe and fittings. I have no idea how to make a cargo net but maybe you could lay them out cross wise and then tie other strings around the joints where you want them or twist ties so it is all spaced how you want ... and then one by one go where the twist ties off take off and put knots? Or maybe you could just mark it out w/ a marker where you want to tie it and go that way ... Good luck and let us know how you turn out. I've seen those nets too and I've always wondered why they are over $100 for a little net!! : ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linus Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Please be careful with rope toys. I was reading a post about a parrot who's foot became tangled in the rope. When the owner found the bird it had chewed part of it's foot off to try and free it's self. The bird survived, but only has one foot now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caspersmum Posted April 20, 2007 Author Share Posted April 20, 2007 Thanks for all the advice - I know I'm a bit impetuous buying the rope before I know what to do with it, but as they say, nothing ventured nothing gained! And I like all the toy ideas - think I'm going to have a busy weekend! I'll deffinitely take the advice about rope toys on board - and I won't let him use it when I'm not in the room - it's just that at the moment he's only got a T-perch in the lounge, and although I fill it with small things for him to play with, I feel he needs a more three dimensional experience! I think I might combine it with some PVC piping, Julia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caspersmum Posted May 8, 2007 Author Share Posted May 8, 2007 Thanks for the advice everyone. Casper's cargo net is now complete. Admittedly it's not a thing of great beauty, but he seems quite happy with it - I think he's more interested in fun than aesthetics! I've attached a load of small toys to it, which keep him amused for hours - he particularly like his tambourine (although I'm beginning to regret it!). I've taken your advice Linus, and don't let him on it unless I'm in the room so that I can rescue him if he gets into trouble, but its great because it means he has plenty to keep him occupied while I'm studying. I'll upload some pictures and DIY instructions just as soon as I can work out how to! Julia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambrosialyn Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 I just looked at the pictures of your cargo net. That thing is so cool!! Now Im gonna have to make brutus one (he saw the pictures over my shoulder and is already demanding one). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caspersmum Posted May 13, 2007 Author Share Posted May 13, 2007 Hi, I'd love to know how you get on - especially if you have any improvements on the design, Julia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spookyhurst Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 I was getting rid of some old DVD towers recently and had them temporarily sitting by a coffee table. Nikko walked over and started climbing up and down and all around, which spurred me to believe she would really like a cargo net. I ordered some Supreme Cotton Rope, which is 100% natural, digestible, and unpolished (which means the threads will easily pull apart if a toe gets caught in it) and now just need to start tying knots . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblhelix Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 They love toys they can climb on and some rope toys are great. Attached is a photo of a swing toy I modified with one of those bendy rope things...fun! Kip loves it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblhelix Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 hmmm...another attempt with the image. http://farm1.static.flickr.com/205/485675467_2ecab7982f_b.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeasarsDad Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 Mark. I love that play center you built.. Looks like you are gonna make we build one of those.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeatherStrella Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 To me, it looks like the bendy rope thing is just hanging in mid-air. I'm thinking to myself "how is he doing this??" :silly: Is it attached to the swing? I just can't see it. :blink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblhelix Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 This picture shows how I connected everything together better. I set a steel eye at the bottom of the wooden swing, then connected everything up using quick links. I have since added even more hanging toys to this play swing but have not taken anothe pic yet. I also have the entire thing set into a ceiling joist member so I know its not coming down! http://farm1.static.flickr.com/195/486005450_f5288291ab_b.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WonderMomma Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Hi everyone - I am not a grey owner (yet), but I ran into this thread and wanted to post a reply. I went through a DIY phase last summer and created a cargo net, playstand, and large portable perch for my babies. They all turned out pretty well, in my humble opinion. (the portable perch wasn't that hard as you'll see in the picture). For the cargo net, I purchased about 50 ft of 1" natural cotton rope on ebay, which I still have plenty of. I too, was perplexed on how to assemble this but had a good picture in my head of how I wanted it to look and function. My biggest challenge was the intersecting joints... which, as previously suggested by another member, I used smaller cotton rope to tie the two intersecting ropes together. On each end, there is about 1.5" pine dowel (purchased and cut at home depot) about 2 feet in length. I drilled several large holes in each of the dowels (this was one of the more difficult parts as I did this in my living room, not a garage or workshop, using my feet as a vice!) to thread the rope through. Then I just measured out equal lengths of rope for the length and width, making sure to allow PLENTY of extra on the ends of the ropes being threaded through the dowels, as the knots took up several inches. To make sure it was taut between both dowels, I threaded one dowel all together first... then had my daughter hold it while I threaded the other dowel. Then I took thinner strips of cotton rope to tie the intersections together. On both ends of each dowel, I tied one 1/4" cotton rope to provide something to hang the net by both ends. You can see what I mean in the pictures. I was concerned about my popcorn ceiling, so I made my own ceiling protector with a 28lb piece of paper and a starbucks coffee cup. :-) As you can see, after nearly a year, they have not gotten through either one of those yet (which I'm sure would be different for an AG). This construction has proven to be great because they have wood to chew on and the thinner cotton used to tie the intersections allows for me to hang toys fairly easily. And this size works for all my birds... from my Green Cheek Conure, Romeo to both my med. sized Conures; Juliette - Nanday & Poppee, Cherry Head and right on up to my slightly pudgy Double Yellow Headed Amazon, Mo. :-) The portable perch you see below the cargo net has been great too. It's simply a garment rack with "vet wrap" rapped around the metal bar where the clothes are hung. It's got an adjustable height, wheels and is completely portable. I use it to take my babies outside for fresh air or to be misted. Hope this helps!! Jennifer I'm not sure if I inserted thise pictures correctly, so if they don't show here, they are in my profile. :-)<br><br>Post edited by: WonderMomma, at: 2007/05/15 20:50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambrosialyn Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Another great cargo net. I like that it hangs from the ceiling, thats basically what I was going to try to do with my net. Once I get it made (Itll be a couple weeks, Im insanly busy right now) Ill add some pictures here. Im so glad everone is so willing to share their ideas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caspersmum Posted May 16, 2007 Author Share Posted May 16, 2007 Wow - that's fab - looks like you spent ALOT more time on it than I did on mine! It's good to have you on the site - I wish I'd had your information when I was originally looking for design instructions! When are you planning on getting a grey? And how are you going to find the time, what with all the other birds you've got?! Julia<br><br>Post edited by: Caspersmum, at: 2007/05/15 21:50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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