play gym for cinnamon green cheek

[lola31]

hi all i was wondering if you can help me i just bought a cinnamon green cheeked conure named pepper and i want to get a table top play gym but they are so expensive and i was wondering if could i build one myself using the toy ladders you can buy and if so how do i secure it as i'm assuming nails are a no no. if anyone has made one before could you help me out with equipment lists etc

[DarwinTheSun]

What about one made from pvc? I think there are some designs on here and all you need is a drill and a saw. I don't have help for ladders, but they do make stainless steel nails...that would be ok to use as long as nothing sharp were poking out.

[eltrius]

DON'T use pvc. I forget what it is, but there's a compound or chemical (zinc?) in it that can poison your bird. I made a playstand for my greencheek and I used nails. The problem with them is that they're galvanized (zinc again, I think). I just put them in places where they wouldn't stick out or attract his attention. You could maybe try coating them in something (nail polish?). I used some eucalyptus branches, and fyi they're really hard to nail into.

[Valo's Moirana]

Originally Posted by eltrius

DON'T use pvc. I forget what it is, but there's a compound or chemical (zinc?) in it that can poison your bird. I made a playstand for my greencheek and I used nails. The problem with them is that they're galvanized (zinc again, I think). I just put them in places where they wouldn't stick out or attract his attention. You could maybe try coating them in something (nail polish?). I used some eucalyptus branches, and fyi they're really hard to nail into.

no, no and no

*) pvc does NOT contain zinc (it's a polymer). many people use it successfully for play gyms, the only thing is that you have to wrap it as it's slippery otherwise for the birds. you can use rope or pet wrap.... (i use the latter for the play rack)

*) you can get stainless steel nails at home depot or lowes.... i don't use anything else. (so not every nail contains zinc)

*) i would NOT coat it with nail polish - it's brittle and birds can easily ingest pieces if they do decide to chew on it. nail polish is really nothing but decoration for humans


you might want to try something like these:

Loosing my Drying Rack

Here's My Play Gym

[Addicted to Tequila]

Actually... stainless steel screws, not nails, work best IMO. Otherwise, ditto on Moirana.

The hot/cold pvc at Lowe's (it is a cream color) is smallest at about 1/2 inch diameter. Works great for the wee ones sized feet when wrapped with vetwrap.

You might also think of doing an atom/orbit type thing and making a tabletop stand for it of pvc.
I used the small (1/4 inch) semi-rigid tubing - threaded with heavy wire, the connectors sold for it, and 5/16 poly rope for mine. It is about the size of a small beach ball. GCCs are REALLY active and adore these!

I will see if I can get some pics.

[Valo's Moirana]

Originally Posted by Addicted to Tequila

Actually... stainless steel screws, not nails, work best IMO. Otherwise, ditto on Moirana.

did i really say nails? it's time for me to go home.....

yip, robyn's right - no nails, screws is the way to go