Let me introduce you to Pedro — he is my quite young African Grey.

We fell in love at the pet shop –he came to me every time I went to look at the birds! So when I just knew I had to bring him home I went clutching my pet-carry-basket and my money to the pet shop.

Bringing him home was so exciting, I knew we were headed for a good time together.

He is spoilt I might tell you – and recently I set about making him a jungle gym, that sits in our dining room. I dragged an old garden chair out the garage, cut some strong, sturdy, safe branches and found my cable ties. Pedro is a climber { he likes going to the top of the lounge curtains, which he knows is not allowed } so I knew the jungle gym had to have lots of climbing places, it’s also his talking chair, where we have talking lessons, so there had to be places for him to perch and chat.

I made it outside the dining room window, so that he could watch it being put together, he was standing on his play chair which is now in my bedroom.

HERE IS A PICTURE OF THE JUNGLE GYM FINISHED!

All the perches are held together with cable ties, and the anchor branches are attached to the chair also with cable ties. I attached a seed box to the chair, but as yet it is untouched, too much else to explore!

Because Pedro loves his bird toys, I hung all his favourite ones from the chair, and the branches. The toys can all be removed for cleaning and cleaning the actual jungle gym is also really easy. A scrubbing brush does the trick. The jungle gym stands on an old piece of carpet, cut to size, which is easy to clean too.

Here are some pointers for you….
1. Use safe, bird friendly branches.
2. Put the base/anchor branches in first.
3. Then put in the climbing branches.
4. Make sure you have horizontal and vertical branches.
5. When you are happy with how it all looks, cable tie it together.
6. Go slowly!!
7. Change things if you find a few of the branches are not fitting together nicely.
8. Hang toys, as many as your bird needs.
9. Introduce your bird to it slowly, I had mine sitting in the dining room with us for several days before I put Pedro on it.
10.Then watch the fun and entertainment it creates for your bird!

HERE IS A PICTURE OF PEDRO’S PLAY CHAIR!

The play chair is just an old dining room chair with the seat pushed out. This was even easier to make! It stands on an old piece of towel, that is easy to wash.

I hope you have fun making your jungle gyms and play chairs!!

LOVE THAT FEATHERED FRIEND OF YOURS.

Beryl