Toy questions

[VRSparks]

When you buy new toys, do you clean them before giving them to your bird? I'm assuming that toys that are wrapped are clean enough, but what about the big hanging ones that aren't wrapped? Most of those aren't made of anything too easy to clean, and I'm sure they get handled a lot at the pet store. I'd hate for my new baby to get sick from his/her toys.

My other question is about how I should have the cage set up at first. Should I have a bunch of toys in it, or will that be too overwhelming for the bird? With everything so new, I wonder if a bunch of new toys would be more scary than fun.

Thanks all!

[greyburd]

hello there,

you may want to rinse the toys off with hot water. Sitting in a pet store, they can get dust on them. Just make sure that you let them air dry really well before putting them in the cage.

~don

[Skyebirdsmom]

Originally Posted by VRSparks

When you buy new toys, do you clean them before giving them to your bird? I'm assuming that toys that are wrapped are clean enough, but what about the big hanging ones that aren't wrapped? Most of those aren't made of anything too easy to clean, and I'm sure they get handled a lot at the pet store. I'd hate for my new baby to get sick from his/her toys.

My other question is about how I should have the cage set up at first. Should I have a bunch of toys in it, or will that be too overwhelming for the bird? With everything so new, I wonder if a bunch of new toys would be more scary than fun.

Thanks all!

Personally, I won't buy toys that aren't fully wrapped. I prefer to buy them off eBay as they state they are made in a bird free, smoke free enviornment, and haven't been touched by anyone or any animal. I'd give everything a quick wash and spray with dilute bleach if purchased unwrapped and from a store. Also personally, when I got my Parrotlet at age 6 wks, he was introduced into his very very large cage FULL of all kinds of toys, swings, perches, etc. I do mean FULL! Didn't affect him one bit.
Linda & HRC~

[The Outlaw]

Option 3:

You mix up some GSE and water and lightly spritz the surfaces and shake out the toys. That should take care of germs and dust.

THE OUTLAW

[mamalovesrico]

about the toys in the cage...you can have too many toys in a cage. stick a couple in there to start and watch what your bird does. Make sure he has enough room to walk around. I space mine out enough for him to be able to walk from one side of the cage to the other without bumping into anything. I also change his toys once a week. this keeps them entertained and with new things every week. I keep a bunch of toys on hand in my basement and go through them once a week and see which ones he hasn't had in a while, and put them in. He really looks forward to his cage being changed every week. You can tell when I put him back in his cage he just stares for a second and then he runs around checking them all out.

[charliesmom]

I also "switchout" the toys in Charlie's cage once a week. My current problem is a hard plastic puzzle toy that screws onto the outside of the cage. I can't get it off. I guess the Wheaties I ate the morning I attached it really worked!!!

[mamalovesrico]

Make sure all of his perches are screwed on nice and tight. I've seen Rico fall to the bottom of his cage, perch and all because they loosen up throughout the week. I tighten the with pliers and check them often.