Our kids love to give presents to all of our pets... so I was wondering if people can give some tips on the best kinds of toys for budgies, or possible dangers as I don't yet know the difference between the toys that are safe and those are not. If you have any tips, please suggest what TO get and NOT to get, thanks.

 

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There are really cool toys at the pet stores, Wal-Mart and really any store, I would stay away from those with shiny objects such as bells and no mirrors, but the toys balls are the best the budgies love them, preening toys are wonderful too though some people worry because of the material, I haven't had an issue, a new cuttlebone, millet, treat sticks, a new perch or swing so many different options to think about. I hope that helps.

There are really cool toys at the pet stores, Wal-Mart and really any store, I would stay away from those with shiny objects such as bells and no mirrors, but the toys balls are the best the budgies love them, preening toys are wonderful too though some people worry because of the material, I haven't had an issue, a new cuttlebone, millet, treat sticks, a new perch or swing so many different options to think about. I hope that helps.

 

 

Thanks Elly,

 

By toy balls do you mean the plastic ones with bells inside that spin like a ferris wheel? Preening toys are the frayed string type? My kids like them and I think the budgies would too, I just want to make sure I don't get something dangerous for the birds. Thanks for the great suggestions!

Wow!! getting something from Wal-Mart would be an awesome present... for the kids at least... They might not enjoy the flight but I'm sure they'd love the U.S. Sorry Elly just had to. I loved walmart too... it was the first place I went to ... had to check out the guns for sale in a department store...

Little lattice bells are fine, just watch what is used as the 'jingle bell' inside. Most budgies won't break them, I take them apart and put them on the floor of the cage or on top of it for them to throw around. They will play with them that way, if I leave them together and hang them from the top of the cage they will immediately go and unhook it and throw it to the ground to be further ignored and pooped on......

I think good toys are anything shreddable, like small parrot pinatas and those balsa wood shredders (bird kabobs). My budgies won't touch typical plastic 'parakeet' toys, so I either make my own or get them the shredders. You can also cut paper towel roll into small pieces (dont' use the sections with any glue) and hide millet inside or some other foraging treat and pinch the ends closed. You may have to leave these open at first and use a huge piece of millet so they know what it contains if your birds seem afraid of the tube, but usually the desire for millet overcomes any fear of the tube in short order and you can start closing the ends and using smaller pieces of millet. These can be hung or left on the cage bottom to be destroyed as the birds try to get the treat out. These types of toys are enriching, as they give your bird something to DO, instead of sitting around. Rope perches are nice on the feet, try to stay away from manzanita perches only because they tend to be very slick until you rough them up a little, and are such hard wood that although they will last practically forever with the little parrots they are too hard for the birds to chew so will not be much fun. They are fine to use, I have some myself, but found the birds would rather chew up dowel rods or wooden ladders (I go through lots of these - they chew the rungs off!) and don't spend much time on the manzanita ones.

Edited December 5, 200816 yr by Rainbow

Little lattice bells are fine, just watch what is used as the 'jingle bell' inside. Most budgies won't break them, I take them apart and put them on the floor of the cage or on top of it for them to throw around. They will play with them that way, if I leave them together and hang them from the top of the cage they will immediately go and unhook it and throw it to the ground to be further ignored and pooped on......

I think good toys are anything shreddable, like small parrot pinatas and those balsa wood shredders (bird kabobs). My budgies won't touch typical plastic 'parakeet' toys, so I either make my own or get them the shredders. You can also cut paper towel roll into small pieces (dont' use the sections with any glue) and hide millet inside or some other foraging treat and pinch the ends closed. You may have to leave these open at first and use a huge piece of millet so they know what it contains if your birds seem afraid of the tube, but usually the desire for millet overcomes any fear of the tube in short order and you can start closing the ends and using smaller pieces of millet. These can be hung or left on the cage bottom to be destroyed as the birds try to get the treat out. These types of toys are enriching, as they give your bird something to DO, instead of sitting around. Rope perches are nice on the feet, try to stay away from manzanita perches only because they tend to be very slick until you rough them up a little, and are such hard wood that although they will last practically forever with the little parrots they are too hard for the birds to chew so will not be much fun. They are fine to use, I have some myself, but found the birds would rather chew up dowel rods or wooden ladders (I go through lots of these - they chew the rungs off!) and don't spend much time on the manzanita ones.

 

Thanks Rainbow,

 

I appreciate all your ideas! Our Alexandrine (we lost earlier this year) loved swinging on his rope perches and shredding stuff! I'm excited about all the goodies I can get for the budgies. As they're not as powerful in the chewing department compared with bigger birds, it gives more options I guess! Shopping list so far: Ferris Wheel, long wooden ladder, rope, millet sprays.

 

If there isn't a thread already, I think that one on the best kinds budgie toys would be great - photos of birds using toys would be very helpful for Christmas shopping ideas!

Little lattice bells are fine, just watch what is used as the 'jingle bell' inside. Most budgies won't break them, I take them apart and put them on the floor of the cage or on top of it for them to throw around. They will play with them that way, if I leave them together and hang them from the top of the cage they will immediately go and unhook it and throw it to the ground to be further ignored and pooped on......

 

:28: :28: :28: So true!!! lol

 

 

 

Check out this topic : DIY toys and this section: Setting up a cage/aviary... there are heaps of toy topics in there. You and the kids could make some toys for them instead of buying them . Good luck and I look forward to seeing your creations or bought gifts!

Little lattice bells are fine, just watch what is used as the 'jingle bell' inside. Most budgies won't break them, I take them apart and put them on the floor of the cage or on top of it for them to throw around. They will play with them that way, if I leave them together and hang them from the top of the cage they will immediately go and unhook it and throw it to the ground to be further ignored and pooped on......

 

 

What a crack up!!! Mine too!!

Little lattice bells are fine, just watch what is used as the 'jingle bell' inside. Most budgies won't break them, I take them apart and put them on the floor of the cage or on top of it for them to throw around. They will play with them that way, if I leave them together and hang them from the top of the cage they will immediately go and unhook it and throw it to the ground to be further ignored and pooped on......

 

:28: :28: :28: So true!!! lol

 

 

 

 

Check out this topic : DIY toys and this section: Setting up a cage/aviary... there are heaps of toy topics in there. You and the kids could make some toys for them instead of buying them :hap: . Good luck and I look forward to seeing your creations or bought gifts!

 

WOW!!! The links are amazing! My daughter is just making her last beaded bracelet for all her friends, so is really excited to see that we can make some toys ourselves! I've just got to find where I put my Dremel for those holes in the wood... THANKYOU SO MUCH!!! I can't wait to have some toy photos to post soon!

Don't know if your kids are like mine but they LOVE crafts ...

 

Why not get them to make some toys for their pets ....

 

Bea has a thread on making fantastic toys .... FOR BEA'S TOPIC CLICK HERE