Tan

Thanks so far to everyone who has replied. Agree re the tassles and fraying, comes down to being attentive to your birds and keeping things like that checked. The other party to this debate has claimed they have had birds die from the threads getting into the gut. Not that l am saying it cannot happen but I have never heard of it and it seems to be a very passionate hobby horse of theirs. I do make rope twine perches or swings BUT reguarly change them by making new ones or varities and throwing away the old and have done so for 30 years. I will not use the coloured blocks etc do not trust the paint / dyes. Have seen birds die of obvious neuro toxic poisoning (lead!) and had several vets tell me the same over the years. Keep it all natural as far as is possible.

Can anyone here settle a debate .. rope perches should they be banned ? anyone had any problems with them or other rope based toys such as those often sold in pet shops ? Thanks in advance

okay time for some pictures l think ! We have had the kids staying with us for this first week of the school holidays and the 7 year old he has been making some fascinating comments about why doesn't SAB let Precious have a piggy back ride ? l don't think its fair SAB is always getting the piggy back ride ! Oh dear the things kids say ! His sister who is just over a year older reckons its "gross " that they are alll having sex and goes and covers the cage over !!!! The only concern l have is that the hens will do what cockatiels are notorious for doing, laying like bantams at this time of year and not knowing its a good time to slow down or stop !

okay have heard of this but never till now witnessed it. I have 2 female cockatiels and an SPCA (RSPCA) rescued budgie. We nick named him "SAB" (smart arsed budgie!) because like the 100's of budgies l had in days gone by when l did breed and show, he had so much energy, spunk and cheek. Well didn't he think he had fallen on his feet and landed in budgie nirvana ... not one but 2 little hens hanging out for his sweet affections and attention. Of course the cockatiel with the brightest florescence soon caught his little eye and before you knew it he was sidling up to her and whispering sweet ( well not quiet whispering, more like a budgerigar scream ! ) nothings in her ear and then the preening and all the lovely dovey gooey stuff started. Never mind she rarely reciprocated (apart from to hang her head to be a hussy and encourage him more with his attentive preening!), he just didn't care. That was till she started accepting his offers of regurgitated food ! Then the other little hen, well in season she went, the back arched, the distinctive little trilling for a cock bird. Well this then triggered off the other hen. Next minute we look up and here is SAB going for it for his sweet little life trying to mate with one of the hens as if she was his species !!!!! Then next minute he finishes there and dives onto the next hen !!!! This has gone on for several days, with no sign of him running out of energy or puff (think we might rename him Viagra ! ). At first l tried to stop him ( that incurred the evil budgie eye ! ) but have given up as l cannot be there 24/7 to watch them ! Has anyone else seen this ?