Here comes Ellie & Sam, luv2byte@teleport.com, from our "Conure List"!
They have sent directions and pictures of their Home-made Bird Gym!!
Below are the directions.......
follow the links to see the pictures that go with each step!
Thank You....Ellie & Sam!!
Pic 1: The basic board with the X for the holes to be drilled. This is where we use 1" dowels (always) 18" high (in this case). I mark off a center point 3" in from each edge to give room from droppings.
CLICK HERE TO SEE PIC 1
Pic 2: Holes cut to size (use big drill bits and sand out the rest for a snug fit.)
CLICK HERE TO SEE PIC 2
Pic 3: I cover board with contact paper. Works great for cleaning ease - everything wipes off very easy. We lay newspaper down to catch the majority of the mess they make. Under the board I used duct tape to hold the paper down firmly and also works to hold the playgym from moving around alot.
CLICK HERE TO SEE PIC 3
Pic 4: Example of holes cut in 1" dowels to put each level. We drill the holes 1/2" deep to hold the horizontal dowels. Each hole is cut to size of the dowel we use. We like to vary the sizes and will use 2 to 3 different sizes for the horizontal dowels.
CLICK HERE TO SEE PIC 4
Pic 5: GOING UP! I recommend each end of the horizontal dowels be no closer than 1" in the 1" post dowels. Less chance of splitting. Also, leave horizontal dowels in as you go so you have better markers and stabilizers.
CLICK HERE TO SEE PIC 5
Pic 6: FINISHED! Completely constructed. We found that if we put at least one dowel all the way thru the 1" dowels at a vertical angle it stabilized the gym well. Everything is self holding. No glue, No nails.
CLICK HERE TO SEE PIC 6
Pic 7: Gym after all the dowels have been colored. I use a frosting food coloring I get at the craft store, better brighter colors. A little goes a long way.
CLICK HERE TO SEE PIC 7
Pic 8: Completed gym, colored with a few toys added. I like to make bridges and ladders to assist in shortcuts to each level. The birds love to play on them and very easy to make.
CLICK HERE TO SEE PIC 8
Pic SamJD: My hubby with our sun conure JD (June Dawn). She loves to lean and cuddle!
CLICK HERE TO SEE SAM & JD
Hope this all makes sense. Let me know if you have questions.
Ellie R.
luv2byte@teleport.com