Foraging ideas!

[mrgoogls]

just starting this thread to maybe help people get ideas to help their bird start foraging. or just give you new ideas. so just post some of the things you do to give your birds good foraging opertunities.

one of mine that cooper LOVES is really simple. it is a balsa wood block, about 2inx2ixx5in with holes drilled in it. just stuff nuts or dried fruit(or any other food that wont go bad) into the hole. drill an eye hook into the top and hang. watch your fid destroy. you can also easily change the size of the block or type of wood. cooper just likes soft wood and somewhat smaller toys so that fits him well.

after a little while ill get some of my other ideas on here.

[Blancaej]

Great Idea Kenny! I've also seen where you can do a foraging tube with a pvc pipe. Drill wholes and stuff the pipe with goodies. Then hang from an eye hook. I definately want to try to do more foraging stuff with my guys. So I'm hoping to use your idea and pvc to have some different options!

[mrgoogls]

Great Idea Kenny! I've also seen where you can do a foraging tube with a pvc pipe. Drill wholes and stuff the pipe with goodies. Then hang from an eye hook. I definately want to try to do more foraging stuff with my guys. So I'm hoping to use your idea and pvc to have some different options!

yeah I have also seen the foraging tubes with pvc pipes. they look like a great idea. maybe ill do one this weekend and post a pic(if I can figure out how haha). I don't make a ton of toys, but 75% of my foraging ones I made. it seems to be hard to find foraging toys for smaller birds(for me a quaker). most of the foraging toys I see are to big for cooper. so I gota be creative :)

also, another toy cooper likes it I get about 10-20 straws(you gota get big ones like from McDonalds) and zip strip them tightly in the center. then you put seeds or pellets or some other treat in the straws. to make it even more difficult zip strip the ends of the straws to make sure the food doesn't fall out and they have to tear through the straws instead of just pulling them out.

[Blancaej]

Great idea with straws!

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[mrgoogls]

Great idea with straws!

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thanks! more ideas coming tomorrow! when I make the foraging tube ill post a pic! that reminds me, when you share your ideas, post pics!!!!!!!!

[Blancaej]

For sure! I just need to get to making some! LOL But you are right, we should post pics as we make our foraging toys!

[Honesty]

Great idea Kenny. :thanks4sharingthumb

[Turquoise]

Yes Kenny, those are awesome ideas. I really like the straw idea. Super simple & very inexpensive.

[mrgoogls]

okay this isn't from me, but this website is a GREAT resource for foraging and enrichment:

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I bought a few of the "fantastic foraging blocks" from parrot enrichment and cooper loves chewing them. I would recommend them. and I know im not the only one here with ideas, post away guys!!

[spiritbird]

I used to wrap nutriberries in unbleached coffee filters. I think everyone knows about that one. Small uncoated baskets are inexpensive and birds seem to love it when they are filled with fun things. Nice thread!

[mrgoogls]

I used to wrap nutriberries in unbleached coffee filters. I think everyone knows about that one. Small uncoated baskets are inexpensive and birds seem to love it when they are filled with fun things. Nice thread!

thanks! the coffee filters are a good old idea that never fails with cooper :). I like the basket idea. ill look for one at the craft store next time. good idea!

[Mare]

Sassy's previous owner told me this one that she would do for Sassy. Take a straw and cut it into thirds then use your imagination as to how to fill them with unsalted, p-nut butter, scotch tape them together into a bundle. Sassy will spend an hour getting the p-nut butter out, she LOVES it!

[mrgoogls]

hey about time we got a new idea! that's a good one! and cooper loves peanuts, so why not peanut butter! do you put it in the straws, or in the bundles of straws with the straws wrapped around it. haha

[JadeC]

I posted a few pics of my wicker toys I've been making for Meiko and he knows I hide Nutriberries in the balls!!! Makes it even better to chew through if he gets a treat out of it!!

Also, I've done the straw thing where I put little nuts in the ends of them.

Another good one is toilet paper rolls... I fill them with shredded paper and poke a lot of holes in it. Then I put Nutriberries in the middle and maybe some dried fruit and "sew" the ends shut with natural jute or sisal. Either hang it or might be a good foot toy for the bigger guys. :) If I think of anything else, I'll post it.

Here's the toys I was talking about!!
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[mrgoogls]

the wicker balls are always good to hide treats in

[ShellyBorg]

Not to much peanut butter! Its a great way to end up with a fat little quaker! LOL

[mrgoogls]

haha I know :) he doesn't get many regular peanuts. so not much peanut butter either. :D

[Mare]

Sassy doesn't get that too often but she sure does love it! Kenny, if the p-nut butter is hard you can take the straw and punch the end into it and the straw will slowly fill up. If the p-nut butter is soft, I'll push the straw a little ways into the p-butter and suck through the other end till I fill the straw. If you can fill the straw up before cutting it into thirds, it's a little easier. She has learned to squeeze them like a toothpaste tube!

[Turquoise]

Neat ideas guys! Mine like peanut butter, but it isn't one of their favorites. I never thought of sticking straws in it & sucking it up. I'd have to not put it in the fridge to try that one. I can just see me trying to suck up cold p-nut butter til I passed out from hyperventilating! :ROFLMAODog: I am not a fan of eating p-nut butter or peanuts, so I don't use it too often for my fiddies either.

[headfeathermistress]

There are two free books on Parrot Enrichment. Full of ideas.

[Mare]

Yeah, De', it can be tricky getting the p-nut butter into the straw but oh, so, rewarding to see them enjoying the mystery of getting it out!

[Jessica E]

Here is a good on with plastic bottles. I cut a few holes in the sides and stuff them with their favorite goodies along with the shredded paper. I also use Chinese takeout boxes and stuff those with shredded paper, and treats. Cut a small hole in the side and watch them have fun.

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[Pinkbirdy]

Neat idea Jessica [Ive never tried that] What kind of birds do you have ?

[Turquoise]

That is a great idea Jessica! I have seen where some give their birds empty plastic bottles, but not filled with goodies. :thanks4sharingthumb

[Lady]

Hey Guys,

I just wanted to chime in and let you know you can find recipes for almond butter or even cashew butter on U tube. I would suppose we could use just about any kind of nut. The human stuff called nutella is a hazel nut spread so why not any kind of nut your baby likes?

Now a question about the plastic bottles....I am a bit nervous to try them b/c I am worried if they could end up with sharp edges. How large should the holes be?

[Mare]

Hi Alice! I would think that for a macaw you would want the hole big enough that she could get her beak part way in, not so big that her head would fit in, although..i know my cockatoos would definitely make the hole big enough to get their whole selves in!

[Lady]

Hi Mare~
Thanks, I was worried that she might cut or scrape her tongue going in the bottle, but if I try it I think I will just have to be in front of her and keep a close watch.

[Mare]

You'll be amazed at how they keep themselves from being hurt. I think they use their tongues as feelers. The first thing my birds do when investigating something new is, touch it with their tongue. Keeping a good watch is safest, for sure :)

[Lady]

Good to know, thank you again. I'm feeling better about it already :)

[Lady]

Okay one more question.... what do you use to get the glue off from the label? I am thinking this just might be a good place to cut to get the glue from there?

[Mare]

Holy Moly, Alice! That is the question of the year! :). I just went through that one with some new plastic cups I bought. For the life of me, I don't know why labels are put on something, something you obviously don't want there after you buy it, and use this SUPER glue to attach it! (Vent over). I soak the item in very hot water with a splash of dish soap. It will soften things up to where you can rub it off.

[Lady]

:th_hehe: Well Mare you certainly are quite helpful, Thank you! I guess I will be getting one of those in the sink tubs, seems more and more I need it!

[Lady]

I went to Petsmart and family dollar the other day and found some cheap useable things for Lady to use for foraging as well as climbing....take a look...228422852286
The purple and green soft rubber toys are something for dogs but I figured I could stuff them with treats for her as well.
As you can hopefully see I already attached them to some already used home made toys. The syringe I picked up for a just in case to add to her emergency kit. And the spoons I was thinking about drilling a hole in the top and just hang them on her playtop for her maybe with some raffia or something. The rope toys I used on the side of her cage so she can climb out onto the area I sit when she wants to come and visit. Seems to be working out pretty good.

[Robyn]

I make dig boxes. Riley's current one is a box from a case of those cup of noodle soups. I sprinkle a little seed on the bottom there's a toilet paper roll in there a long with some wooden q-tips a few 1inch squares of her rainbow shredders and a premade foraging box with shredded paper in it. She just jumps in there (if I leave her on her cage) and will play for a few minutes before flying. If she's already flown a bit she will play for up to an hour in her box. She can jump in and out of it as she pleases and even chews on the box its self.