I have one or three questions...

[Michele WithOneL]

Are pumice stone perches ok to use? I was thinking it looked like a bird could bite chunks out of them if they wanted to and I didn't know if that would be a problem.

I've read about the importance of having foraging and interactive type toys but I don't really know what I'm looking for. Could anyone offer me some specific suggestions? Websites or links would be appreciated.

I need to find a travel or temporary cage. The cage I have is way too big to take in the car if my Tag ever has to go to somebody's house for a couple of days. It needs to be sturdy enough, not too big for traveling but big enough that he wouldn't go nuts if he had to be in there for a day or two. I would hate to be caught with no plan if there was ever an emergency. So far, I just haven't found anything that looks like it would work. Anybody have any suggestions? Once again, websites or links would be appreciated.

Thanks for your help,
Michele W

[The Outlaw]

The sandy perches or cement perches are good for most birds. It helps them keep their beaks and nails dulled. Good foraging toys are things that have holes or openings to stick treats in. A good one is two coconut shell halves on a chain that open. The bird learns to raise th top shell to get to the treats inside.

You can use simple boxes (little jewelry ones work well) and poke some holes inside. Add a few little nuts and tape the box closed. The bird will learn to open the box or make the holes larger to access the nuts.

You might want look into breakdown dog kennels. The fold flat and some have rollers on the bottom tray. Just add perches and food cups. Be sure that the cage bar spacing is close. TAGS have small heads.

[Alyce Johnson]

For travel cages a lot of people use a dog/cat carrier, with 2 holes drilled and a perch put across the bottom. Then you can put a slightly larger cage (taken apart into flat pieces) in the car, and set it up when you get to your destination.

The foraging toys I like best are the "bullet proof" brand of treasure chests. I don't like their other toys because the birds can't really DO anything with them. But the treasure chests have holes in them, and come with wood beads inside. You can replace the wood beads, as they destroy them, and you can fill them with all kinds of stuff. I add in a few nuts to the toys, which gives my birds incentive to keep taking stuff out, over and over again. Birds LOVE to "forage" for treats!

[Michele WithOneL]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. As soon as I get paid I will be ordering some new toys. I told my baby about the new toys but, so far, I am more excited than he is.

I do have some of the sandy and cement perches I was just looking at that pumice stone perch because it would be a very different shape for his feet. It looks like a rock. But it sounds like people don't use them and I figure there must be a reason so I will just stick with what I have.

Using a dog crate for a temporary/travel cage sounds like a good idea and not as expensive as some of the options I was looking at. I was a little worried the crate may be too dark and closed in for a bird to be in for several days but I guess that's not a problem. Could anybody suggest a good size crate to get for a TAG. Since it's to be for traveling I don't want to go bigger than necessary so it will be easily portable but I do want it to be big enough for the bird's comfort. Thanks for all your help,

Michele

[featherduster]

Hi Michele,
I use a cage similar to this for travel.
http://www.windycityparrot.com/Merch...oduct_Count=27
It's actually a cockatiel cage but it's airy enough and somewhat spacious for a few days. My birds enjoy seeing where they are going in the car and this type of cage allows that.

My Timnehs love toys they can shred or rope type toys they can chew on.
I have never tried pumice, but I have tried the calcium chewable perches, and the cement type. They love those! Be careful with the cement perches.
My female wore her beak almost down to nothing by rubbing her beak on it.
Just see how your TAG responds to them...:)

[radiogirl995]

I got my travel cage on eBay and it was SO reasonable (Price-wise)! Check it out - it's a mini dog cage - collapses and sets up in seconds. And Tuki loves it. It's nice and roomy and like a mini version of his cage.

[The Outlaw]

Do you remember who the vendor was? I agree, its a great cage.

[tamaran2]

Originally Posted by radiogirl995

I got my travel cage on eBay and it was SO reasonable (Price-wise)! Check it out - it's a mini dog cage - collapses and sets up in seconds. And Tuki loves it. It's nice and roomy and like a mini version of his cage.

Nancy its a dog training kennel. We have 5 two large ones for the macaws, and 3 middle sizes for the other 3 birds. We bought ours at petsmart..

[radiogirl995]

The vender I purchased from was Pet_Cage_Warehouse.
I paid about $30. They don't have anything listed on eBay right now...

But I did a search, and the same cage (even cheaper) is for auction/sale by Biradise2.

[Luvmygrey]

I also have a calapsable cage I got off e-bay. It is a good size and is easy to store. It would be a good choice.