A work in progress

[r2rusmc]

Originally Posted by Kristina2007

I should of over looked this post. Yours looks so great now I really really want a cargo net too. I think my pair of Blue and Golds will really enjoy it. I'll be looking for rope today Hope mine looks half as nice as yours I'm also going to thread 4x4 colored blocks through out the net for them to chew and destroy. Mine are heavy chewers hopefully the blocks will distract them from the ceiling

I actually thought about doing that too but reconsidered.

The cargo net is a play area but with as big as it is, I was concerned with too big of a mess under it each evening. Plus. if they are chewing on something attached to the rope, I think it would encourage more chewing on the rope.

What I did instead and what really seems to be working is this. I added those plastic foraging toys along the top. Entertains them and doesn't create a mess. I added pipe bells on the ends too.

This seems to be working well.

If you really want something to chew on, how about adding an extra PVC arm on the end that you could hang a block of wood on? This way the wood is easier to replace when destroyed AND they won't be interested in chewing on the rope.

The rope is expensive and I see no reason to encourage them to chew it.

Since I don't feed them on the rope either, I have a perch stand that they can get to that has a treat cup on it. Keeps the mess on the tray instead of along the bottom of the net. Easier cleanup.

Just a few thoughts.

[Kristina2007]

your right good idea keep the wood blocks off!

[Frankie]

where did you find that much untreated sisal rope?

[r2rusmc]

It's actually Manila rope and I got it from a vendor on Ebay. Don't remember who as that was months ago.

When the rope arrived and I opened it there was a strong earthy kind of odor. I called the seller freaking out about the "natural rope" being chemically treated. He assured me that it was just the natural odors of the rope.

I wrapped white paper around the rope and clamped it in place with vice grips and let it sit for a day. When I took the vice grips and paper off, there was no oil residue on the rope.

After being out of the box for a while, the odor was completely gone.

Everything I've heard and read says that you do not want to get natural ropes wet. I've heard others say they put theirs threw the washer or dishwasher. With the cost of the larger rope, I think I prefer to not wash it.

I've bough sisal that is marketed as not treated and safe for all pets and it has the same odor as my 1-1/4 inch Manila did.

[silvercb67]

WOW! What a FANTASTIC idea. I love it! And by the looks of it, so do the macaws.

[lisark]

That's an amazing net for your birds and I also love the one you made for the Sun conure.

Funny I should come across this thread now. I wanted a net for my Hahn's but found the prices for them to be pretty high for my taste. The prospect of making one seemed difficult. Then my husband had a bright idea.

We live in Newfoundland, Canada. A place where there are lots of fishermen and lots of people who know how to make nets. So my husband suggested that I find someone who knows how to tie nets and see if they might make me a "bird net."

Long story short...I found an 83 year old man who is making me a 3 foot x 3 foot sisal rope bird net with 6" squares. His fee? Two dozen fresh eggs from my chickens. What a great deal!!!

I'll get the net next week sometime and I can't wait to load it up with toys!!! Rocky is going to love it.

Thanks for the pics...I'd love to see more pics of the birds on the net! Beautiful fids you have.

[macawlover]

WOW that is amazing!! I wish I had that much creativity to do that! :P Now I'm going to look on ebay for some manilla rope...

[MicahEspudo]

Originally Posted by macawlover

WOW that is amazing!! I wish I had that much creativity to do that! :P Now I'm going to look on ebay for some manilla rope...

You can find it pretty cheap at home depot... I think it's like $0.49 a foot, and thats for the really thick kind.

[r2rusmc]

Originally Posted by MicahEspudo

You can find it pretty cheap at home depot... I think it's like $0.49 a foot, and thats for the really thick kind.

I've found the spooled rope at Lowes to have a chemical smell and an oily feel. I wouldn't recommend using it.