My Solomon Islands' eclectus parrot, Finnegan, frequently enjoys playing on his boing, which currently hangs in front of the window over my kitchen countertop. Now all you bird-parronts can surmise just what is going to fall on my counter, can't you? Paper towels to the rescue!
It just so happens that I have a thing about cleanliness, and sooo, I went out and got a couple of those large round clear plastic plant saucers. I put one directly under the boing and then put a couple paper towels in the plastic saucer so that I can change them as necessary. I bought the largest saucer I could find, which was 14 inches, although I hear they make a 16 inch one. So far, I haven't been able to find that size. However, I recommend the 16 inch saucer, if YOU can find it because every once in awhile he misses the saucer, especially if it's swinging. I also keep a container of Lysol or Clorox wipes right under my sink for just such an event.
Speaking of paper towels, I couldn't have birds without paper towels! I use them for everything. I line the bottom of their playstands with them. I put them on the floor of their carriers. I carry them in the car with me if I take Lucy along, since she has to ride on my shoulder. Then when she has to poop, I just hold her over the paper towel, and tell her to go. (I'll cover that in a future post on potty training.)
Usually a bird has a favorite place to sleep. So to help keep cages clean, I put a double sheet of paper towel on TOP of the grate, beneath the bird. This catches the night poops. Then all you have to do in the morning is throw away the paper towel. You won't have to change the paper in the bottom of the cage and clean the grate. I know that some of you lucky parronts have birds that don't poop during the night, but all of mine do, and this saves me a lot of work.
My birds love baskets. So I buy unpainted and unfinished ones at garage sales. They make great, cheap chew toys. They also love to sit on the handles, so I line the baskets with more paper towels to keep them clean and put toys in them. In fact, Finnegan took over my bakers' rack as part of his playground, and I cover that, too, with paper towels. Up on the very top shelf is one of his favorite places to sit on his basket. Well, his being a rather heavy bird, and my not wanting him to fall over in the basket, I took a large rock and wrapped it in paper towels and put it in the bottom. Now that the basket is weighted down, I don't worry about it tipping over and he feels secure.
Now you see what I mean about paper towels? I need stock in a paper towel company!
Please let me know what your helpful hints are. We can all share lots of time and working saving tips with each other.
To read more of my Helpful Hints, visit http://birdmama.com
BirdMama.com was conceived and designed to help you nurture your relationships with your own beautiful birds. Being a Bird Mama has been extremely gratifying to me as I've witnessed my own birds' personalities develop. Their sheer joy of life is contagious, making me want to share with you what I've learned along the way because I want you all to be the very best Bird Parronts you can be.
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Budgies Playing with Chew Toy
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