New birdie tree (toys still needed to be put up)

[Polarn]

Just thought I'd share todays project on here, I decided to make some changes to the birdieareas in the workroom, this is where I spend most of my time infront of the computer working or laying down on the small (used to be a guestbed, not so sure anymore) reading or writing on the laptop etc. And ofcourse me spending most of the time here means the birds does the same, I used to have the playgym and I used to have a second cage in here that were 4'x4' and about 6feet tall to have someplace to hang the toys, but a couple of weeks ago I got a really good offer on the cage so I sold it (I trippled my money and have no problem getting about the same deal on another one... so couldnt resist...)

Anyways I decided not to get a new cage for the workroom but to let em just hang out on playstands etc, unfortunitly im not a big fan of the metalframe powdercoated playstands you buy, and definitly not a big fan of the lack of space to put toys, and to variate the layout of the gym... so I decided to make a tree for them...

So today I went out and sawed down a tree that didnt get branches until fairly high up but without being so thick that I couldnt put it on my shoulder and walk home with it... most admit i had to go back twice into the woods to fetch the rest of the tree though since I were still going to use the branches and whatever was left of the stem as firewood for the heating here.

So once I had the tree in the yard outside I had to figure out how to get it to stand up stabil enough to not ever tip over and still be mobile for cleaning etc, so i decided to make a big platform resting on 2"x2"s that I then could screw down and secure anything i wanted too and cover with bottom material to easen up the cleaning, so I fitted a 5" housing panel out of birdsafe wood around it to create a ledge. The platform is 230cm X 125cm (about 7'7"x4.1') so quite a decent area to dedicate for playstand and a tree.

When I had the stem at an apropriet hight I fitted a big enough plate to the bottom for it to stand on its own, i then secured it to the big platform with 4 screws just to be sure. then I cutted branches I wanted, picked out the drillset and drilled holes the same diameter as the branches and stuck em into the stem. so all the branches I can pull out about 2 - 2.5 inches and just change them as a please...

And now some pictures, and sorry bout the poor quality, I used my iPhone to take the pictures.

Pelle the cockatiel exploring the tree:


Bimbo the budgie:


Polarn the bluefronted amazon, nor actually in the tree in this pick but...:


And now for the overall look, atleast looks somewhat natural even thought the branches are added manually after...:


Might add that some of the wood that was leftovers from the tree I cut into cubes and triangles together with what was left of the panel i bought so these will go into a coloring bath any day and then used to build toys from. And there is loads of more toys to be added to the tree, I just wanted to put it up and show ya'll, was a lot easier than I thought it would be but still a satisfying project.


Next project is to figure out how to build a birdsafe natural looking backdrop, like a mountainwall or something... worse case scenario painting a jungle on the wall and cover it with plexi. couse i hate seeing the wallpapers ripped behind em, they have stopped it but I feel I might as well do something cool with the area besides smacking new wallpaper up...

[marie83]

Wow, the birds are going to love that.
I wish I had space to do something like that, I'm so getting increasingly envious of you

[terri]

WOW look at you thats great.[you need to come and build us some in the states ] Hows your GALAH doing?

[Polarn]

She had her first meet and greet with the others yesterday actually but she's still a little skittish and easily startled, still not able to fly but has become quite a climber now. So she's improving all the time but I am a little more cautious leaving her with the other birds since she can't fly and get away, but as I said was a first yesterday, the little ones studied from afar but Polarn decided to land right next to her and sing n dance (she was caged) so I got good hopes, got a peice of tree cut in a steep angle for her once she joins the flock full time too and thanks for asking

[liz]

Yay for Polarn.

Rambo is afraid of flighted birds because they can land near him when he is not paying attention.
Twice he bit cockatiels because they landed behind him.

I make sure Rambo is in another room now when I let them out. Myrtle does not have a problem with them. I guess she thinks they are babies.

[Polarn]

Hopes are still here that Gila and Polarn will get along well even if she never gains flight again, still got some hopes she will start flying again but ya never know. Today I've been working some more with Gila to not be afraid of hands, she spent about 30 minutes riding on my arm and another 30 of me preening some new flight feathers that had grown out, but she doesn't quite take care of it on her own even if she can reach, so you gotta start it off for her, then she continues on her own. She doesn't seem to particularly enjoy me pulling her wings and preen but she doesn't try to get away either, well she does for the first 3 seconds then she just looks at what I'm doing. I find her hard to read though she's not a little energy bundle I'm used too that will really let you know if they doesn't like something and is as obviouse the other way around. Same with her walking up to me, she will stop about 2 feet away and just stand there unless I move to quick she just stays put and lets me pick her up. But if I hold my hand out she will stop at about the same distance... I find it odd but some more work and she might get more confidence as well.

[cml]

That tree looks great polarn !

[Polarn]

Thank you! I try to keep things around that are pleasent to my eyes and fun for the birds