Foraging Toys

[chip]

Irish doesn't seem to like foraging toys. actualy the only toys she seems to like are ones with bells.
So is foraging a very important thing she must do? or does it really not matter too much?

Thanks!

[New Ekkie Mom]

Foraging is something that is instinctive to birds. That's what they do all day to find food. If your bird is happy and content without it, I wouldn't stress too much, but it is a great way to enrich their lives...it makes them use the bird instincts they were born with but don't get to use much in a captive environment, it gives them exercise, it gives them a reward (food) for a job well done, etc etc. For birds who have never had to forage, it does take time and you have to start out SUPER easy. Foraging doesn't have to just be those puzzle type toys you can buy through a pet store either. Foraging could just mean mixing some wooden beads in with your birds dry food. Or dividing up the food into different cups and hanging them in various places around the cage, rather than in the usual food bowl. (This way they still have to move around and look for their food.) You can cover the food bowl with a paper towel, so your bird has to tear through the paper to get the food. (Start out just laying the towel over the dish, work up to fastening it to the dish with a rubberband but with some holes poked in it....). Hang pieces of fruits and veggies on a skewer in the cage. Weave dark leafy greens through the cage bars. All of these things create foraging opportunities. There are TONS more ideas. If you have time, check out http://www.onafricanwings.com/Parrot...ity%20Book.pdf for some REALLY great, simple, and cheap ideas. It's an online book that is completely free to download. Good luck, and happy foraging!

Danielle