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View Full Version : A cheap "foraging" toy


Liz
07-02-2006, 02:02 PM
Finding amusing toys for our catalina "Jesse" is a challenge - but I hit on something that you might want to try (if you haven't already).

We hang on to boxes from crackers, cereal, pasta and so on - cardboard food boxes that don't have cellophane. I grab nuts-in-the-shell (walnuts, pecans, whatever) and wrap them up in a wad of fresh newspaper, then stuff the little "packages" (2 or 3 at a time) into the box. Sometimes I throw in half a banana (with the skin still on) or some other kind of fruit.

Jesse loves the boxes. She has long since learned exactly which end to open - so getting the end open happens fast. But then she has to stick her head at least partway into the open box to get the "goody". She'll stand there, look into the box, say "HelloOOOOoooo" and the pokes her head in, rustling around until she grabs something. Then she chews through the newspaper and has a ball with the nuts. Once the treats are out, she likes to demolish the box (shreds it).

It's hilarious - and she obviously loves it (gets excited when she sees me coming with the box).

The only downside is that we can't leave any unfinished cereal boxes out when she's out of her cage, as she makes a "beeline" for them and has cereal or whatever thrown in every direction faster than you can say "jack rabbit"!

parrotgirl
07-02-2006, 03:42 PM
I have done this with Bucc, only using an old biscuit tub, he dislikes boxes I'm afraid,


Can just imagine Jessie watching those full cereal boxes and trying her hardest to get to them before you realise. lol. I bet she has fun with her boxes and those treats are just so special when you have to work for them.

Thanks for sharing

Jean
07-02-2006, 07:00 PM
That is something Elvie would like to do. I'll have to make him some new treats like that.

Thank you for your ingenious idea.

Sue
07-03-2006, 05:06 AM
Liz that sounds like a great idea, I would love to see pic's of her doing that:rotflmao:

Brandy
07-03-2006, 05:45 AM
I should try that with Milly,,,but shes so afraid of everything it woul dtake her a week to even go near the box,,LOL


It would be great watching her "forage" with some boxes

Jim
07-03-2006, 10:25 AM
Good idea Liz, foraging is great for our birds IMO. I'm starting to think all Macaws are hardwired to say "HelloOOOOoooo" in many different tones with different attitudes.:rolleyes: :D