Building a Playgym

[Flappy]

My grandad and i have been putting together a playgym (see pic below) for the last couple of weeks. It's gradually developing, as i collect the things i need for it. Well, today we attached the branches i got a couple of weeks ago (i didn't use the one i was unsure of), and also attached a platform (half way down). I'm going to put the bird bath on the platform, and maybe just some toys, such as toothpicks, or a wire hamster wheel, when that's not there. I've got some hooks to ***** into the main post, so that i can hang toys next to the branches, and i'll hang some on the branches too. I need a few more things still...... perches for below the branches, which i'm going to attach rope to..... and a happy hut!, which i'll make at some point. I'm just going to try to do as much as possible to it.

Cookie and Pebbles tried it out straight away. I've had the post in the room for a few weeks, so i guess they were already used to that. Pebbles has been swinging upside down on the thinner branches! It's all good so far :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/Carly1982/Playgymsofar.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/Carly1982/Firsttry.jpg

[atvchick95]

looks like it's going to be awesome :-)

A suggestion for the base - while newspaper is easiest but in the end messy to clean up when the food and stuff falls off LOL

i use shower boards - i don't know the technical name but you can buy them at hardware stores its the stuff people put up around thier tubs so the shower and other water doesn't ruin the wood

it's a breeze to clean, Just a broom and dust pan and a mop with plain water :)

I have one now (when i only had 2 cages i had one under each cage and one under the portable perch), I just cut it about 1" bigger all the way around then the cage or portable perch So everything hits it I also have it as the base of my play gym(its attached with *****(s) (if that word gets blocked out its screwed with an S instead of a D lol)

the one i have now under a cage, Is under Billy (our quakers cage) and I just take it outside hose it off dry it off and put it back in the winter i use the mop

[Flappy]

I haven't got newspaper down there, it's like plywood, and has a smooth, shiney surface, so i'm hoping it'll be easy enough to wipe down! Actually, we cut that down thinking we had too much, but i think i'll go get the other bit, and put it back, as i didn't think the branches would stretch so far out.

I don't think i've seen wooden shower boards. They're all glass around here?

I think we're going to get some rocks to put on the base, around the post, to secure it. It seems pretty secure already though.

Here's another pic of Pebs..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/Carly1982/Hangingaround.jpg

[Rosie]

It looks amazing!! Good job. :D

[chompie_puppy]

Excellent playgym!! I bet they absolutely love it! :D

[Wings]

Wow, looks awesome! :D
If only I had room for something like that.

[CARRIE1981]

thats great, good job, i bet they will have some fun:)

[Pippin's mom]

Love it! You and grandpa did an excellent job and how special that you're working on it together!:D I can't wait to see the completed project. The fids look like they are loving it already!:)

[Whistle&Steve]

I built a playgym like that. Except it is only about 4 feet tall. It's easy to move around. Oh if the base is hard to clean put contact paper. It's very easy to wipe down.

[Crystal Cake]

Wow! You've inspired me to build one of my own!!!

[Flappy]

Thanks for the comments folks!

Crystal Cake, good luck with yours!

The playgym has changed a bit since i last posted (see below, picture isn't great though due to window position!). Not much left to do really, except make a 'happy hut' and get more toys.

The big sheets of wood we have down are easy to clean, but the smaller piece that the post is attached to is a little more difficult. The contact paper suggestion might work, i'll give it a go... thanks Whistle&Steve!

Oh, and the budgies are loving it.... on it for hours everyday!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/Carly1982/DSC00533.jpg

[Bethany]

great play ground!!

[tstmard]

Wow. That's really nice. And it looks like they love it. I might have to try and make a smaller version for my parrotlet and Snowy.

[nujsilec]

Looks great, Flappy!

[Flappy]

thank you!

[Germsy]

It looks like your birdies are going to have a lot of fun. I try to take a picture of my gym, but it is lot smaller than yours since I don't have much space for the size of your gym. Have fun finishing it.

[Germsy]

Hi Flappy here is the pics of Spikkels's playgym. Like I said it's a lot smaller than your, but the same fun is supplied to both Spikkels and me. I got the idea from the internet and then build my own. Luckily we had the board for the base and the platform, I only had to buy the sticks and the toys. And you know what I enjoy the most - that I build it and the bird is having all the fun in the world. Good luck with yours, it looks like it's going to be great!

Germsy;)

[Flappy]

Hi Germsy.... thanks :) Yours looks great! Perfect size for Spikkels, it looks quite big. I'm just about done with mine, just need to add more toys, but that will be a gradual thing. I've just added a little bell on a chain, and they love that! I was originally planning on making a happy hut, and probably still will, but now i've got the 2 girls i'm worried they'll think it's a nest and try to mate :eek: