Need a new clasp that is GW proof

[Gucci]

Boudica, our 1 year old GW has learned how to not only undo, but totally destroy, the clasps on all of her toys. I don't know the names of them, and my husband isn't around, but you all know the ones I mean, the one that is oval shaped with a kind of screw on thingy that closes the clasp...

Anyways, I was laughing thinking I need to buy little padlocks for all of her toys. She is now at the point where she leaves the toy alone and immediately attacks the clasp. It doesn't matter how heavy duty the clasp is, within minutes she has it apart, and destroyed. Anyone else have this problem? If so did (or how did) you solve it? She now has all these great hanging toys that can't hang. Maybe I should save money by not buying her toys, and just making a chain out of the clasps...

[lavender]

You should just hang those clasps all over her cage, top to bottom! Video her destroying them all and post it here
Ok, so I know that's absolutely zero help. Maybe she needs some puzzle toys.

[Okanairda]

What about something like this: Grey Feather Toys parrot toys, parrot food, bird play gyms and bird care products

They're expensive through the store , but I think you could make them yourself with minimal effort. Home Depot should have the SS hooks and just doing a quick Google I found something you could use for the ball part. I'm guessing it's acrylic: Solid Round Clear Acrylic Balls - US Plastic Corporation

They're about $6.00 a pop though for ones that would probably be big enough for your GW's cage. But if she can't destroy them, maybe it'd be worth it?

[hollmer]

Mine does the same thing, to him it is more interesting to figure out how to open his cage door, unhook his dishes and throw them around or as you said unscrew the clips on the toys. My husband is always making him new toys out in the garage and he has tried a few things. You can do the pad lock, but get a hevey duty one with a key(and don't loose the key) we tried a combination one but he distroyed the combination part and my husband had to use bolt cutters to get the lock off. He also uses hevey duty key rings. I don't know where he got it but it is the metal circular ring that you put key on only thicker, he probably got i at home depot or lowes in the hardware department. THat is where he finds most contraptions. He removed the oval clip the put the chain on the ring like you would a key then he put it around one of the bars on the top of the cage. I know it was not easy to get it on, but it seems to works. Zazoo bites it and bends it but he has not as of yet got it off his cage.

You can also try the various puzzle toys it will distract for a little while, but in my case it just made him more intent of figuring out how to take things apart.

[hollmer]

I just looked at the link with the bird proof toy hanger, its a neat idea, it looks like it will work great from the inside but mine trouble maker is rarely locked in his cage anymore its pointless he can open it, and he gets in less trouble if I leave it open, (if he has to let himself out he will wander the house, if I leave it opened he stays on his cage.)

Anyway I wonder how well the acrylic ball will hold up to being chewed on. I have tried acrylic toys that claim they cannot be broken and somehow he always manages to break pieces off. I would hate to spend that kind of money only to watch him chew the ball apart.

[Gucci]

Wow, thanks everyone, for your suggestions. Those acrylic ball hooks do look interesting. I think I may order a couple just to see. May be worth the investment. If they work I can see about trying to make some. I think I am also going to try the key ring suggestion. Hopefully, one of the 2, or both, will work. Boudica does have some puzzle toys, and I agree, I think it only feeds their desire to learn how to take things apart...

[iggysbirds]

We use the quick links with our blue and gold. The really heavy duty ones, I think they are like a 2-3 inch one and we have to tighten them with a pliers. He so far can't unlock them if they are done with a pliers. He has started taking all the bolts off of his cage and destroyed the food bowl holders and popped a couple bars off the bottom grate LOL! Luckily he only has a week to wait for his new cage Be careful using a key ring depending on what type it is. I definitely don't know everything about them LOL but I do know a few people have had their birds get their beaks and/or tongues stuck in the split key rings and many of the others are zinc coated. If you can find ones that aren't the split type and are stainless steel they should be great though!

[Gucci]

What are quick links? I think those may be the things I am having trouble with. I have a B&G an a GW...the B&G is definitely more clownish and fun loving. The GW is more laid back, but do not underestimate the power of a GW's beak, and the power of a GW's determination! I have to say, while I LOVE my B&G, I do think my GW is smarter, or maybe she's just more "driven"...

[KimM]

LOL! I have found nothing macaw proof, especially with Newton. He disassembles "everything" including all the doors on his cage except the main door. I keep a bag of clips when he disassembles his toys and just keep putting them back up.

The best investment I ever made for him was a stainless steel bucket that hangs in his cage. I fill it with foot toys, balls, treats, empty bottles, you name it. He LOVES it. He even talks and sings into it. Got it at the local horse feed store. You can see it in this pic.

[Chief's Mom]

I agree with iggysbirds...the heavy duty ones would be pretty rough even for a macaw. They do carry the stainless ones at Lowe's. They're huge and they may not even fit in the loops of some toys. I believe they're made to be used on marine equipment, etc. I know the ones I have for Chief are rated for over 6000 pounds They ones I have were about $10 a piece, but so worth it. (And the pliers are a must if you want them to stay on!)

Kim, Does Newton actually play with the things in the bucket? I've been thinking of doing something like that, but both my birds just tend to throw things out of bowls and such. They do have the little stainless 'cages,' that I fill with wood, nuts, and other fun stuff, and they love those. But I'd hate to fill a bucket with all kinds of goodies, only to have them thrown on the bottom of the cage and pooped on.