Atom-Hoop Ball Idea: Braided PVC

[BobbieSD]

I have seen a lot of DIY ideas on this. I was wandering the hard ware store (clerks get a kick out of helping for bird toys). I spotted this a heavy duty braided PVC hose used for dishwasher and washing machine hose. It says it is non-toxic. Since it is clear-the poly rope could be strung inside the hose for color. It has a slight rubber feel-so not as slippery. Fits nice and tight in the PVC "T" joint thingys. (yes-thingy's) It would wipe off easily, and is only 1.50 a foot.

Any thoughts or ideas on this would be helpful! I think it would be tough enough for my goffin.

[Valo's Moirana]

since i can't make a definite statement (i'd have to look into it in more detail), i'll leave it with a general comment - PVC is an inherently stiff polymer; hoses have to be plasticized with some low molecular weight compounds. sometimes people are concerned about leakage of these compounds out of the matrix....

HOWEVER, for a birdie hoop ball i'd say it should be fine - they don't apply that much liquid which could serve as a solvent....

depending on the size of the hoopball and the weight of the occupant (aka the birdie), the hula hoops even start to deform.... for a heavier bird that would be pretty much my only concern, that you'll be loosing shape rather soon after regular use

[BobbieSD]

Thanks-that helps. For a Goffin Cockatoo, I think it would work. I was going to use 1 ft pieces to keep stronger (less ability to bend). From the looks of the pipe, I think it would "flatten" more then anything.

[tielmama]

Ooh! Hurry up and make that so we can all see it!

[ROYJOY]

im stoked, im gonna check with home depot tomarrow. ouch, tiki just let me have it on the ear!!

[BobbieSD]

Make sure and let me know what you think. I am not getting supplies until the 15th.

[ROYJOY]

home depot had diferent sizes of the braid kind, but they wouldnt fit any of the pvc crosses, but they had some plain clear tubing that fit loosly. i'll wrap a piece of tape on the ends to make them fit more snugly. it probably isnt as bend resistant as the braided but my biggest bird is a sun 4 oz. i'll let you know how it turns out.

[Monica]

I can't say I know of any issues... and I have heard of some using the clear PVC pipes wrapped with vet wrap....

Plastic Pipes,Plastic Pipes product,Plastic Pipes trade leads.

[ROYJOY]

ok, i tryed the none braided, plane clear tubing. i bought 2 10' lengths, cut it into 2.5' pieces, put it together, and it hardly suported its own weight, wouldnt keep its shape, pile of noodles. i then cut those pieces in half (15"). at that length, it holds its shape, but the whole thing is only about 13" or 14" in diameter. thats ok, my largest bird is a sun conure, but the tubing makes a fat perching surface, my sun can get around on it ok but its pretty wide for my loves to get their smaller feet around, and now i have enough tubing for 2 atoms. one 10 foot roll, would have been enough for this smaller size.

[Copper]

Maybe by inserting the smaller pony beads with a wire through the center of those. It would add color and help stabilize the tubing. The beads and the wire wouldn't be accessable to those beaks that could break them either. It would remain light weight and durable.