Instructions for newspaper swing [Archive]

ParrotletsRock

07-29-2009, 10:40 AM

Ok here are my instructions for a shredable newspaper swing. I have made 2 of these so far for my little fella and he loves them. I made the second one with seeds in it. The 1st one lasted about 2 weeks before it became ratty enough that I replaced it.

Step 1... I take 3 sheets of newspaper (whatever size you want , I used smaller flyer sheets)

Step 2... Start folding them ...

Step 3... You can sprinkle on a few seeds if you like at this stage.

Step 4... Continue folding rolling and twisting until it is in the shape of a rope. ( I fold until it is halfway then start rolling and when it is rolled I twist it to make it hold together)

Step 5... I then take a small zip tie and hold the ends together..make sure zip tie is pulled as tight as possible.

ParrotletsRock

07-29-2009, 10:43 AM

Step 6... Braid the papers together the same way you would braid hair..trying to keep it as even and as flat as possible.

Step 7... Pull second end around and zip tie onto the 1st end to make a circle. If it is hard to do you can add another zip tie to hold the ends till you can get it zip tied into a circle. Push a zip tie into the last one so you can attach a quick link to it and hang.

Hope any one who makes this is happy with it and your birds enjoy it as much as mine does...good luck.

MsBeanCtr

07-29-2009, 11:41 AM

This is a GREAT posting! I saw mention of a newspaper swing previously but had no idea of what it looked like, let alone how to make it.

Can't wait to go home and give it a try! Thank you thank you thank you!!

LennysMom

07-29-2009, 11:50 AM

That's very cool, I'm totally gonna try that :)

BirdMa

07-29-2009, 01:09 PM

Love it! Thanks for that. I'm gonna try it for sure!

jodeg

07-29-2009, 02:10 PM

Great posting! Now I get the idea! Appreciate the pics! I'm going to make THREE this afternoon -- one for each P'let of course!!! ;)

Thanks so much!

ParrotletsRock

07-29-2009, 02:13 PM

Everyone is quite welcome. My p'let would have nothing to do wilh a purchased swing which our budgie now owns and really loves. This swing he loves and there is always a pile of fluffy newspaper "sawdust" under the swing...best of all it is practically free. Sure would love to see some pix of other peoples p'lets enjoying their swings!

Lola B.

07-29-2009, 08:47 PM

Where do you get zip ties?
I love super cheap toys like this post details because it's wonderful to be able to provide the variety that Delphi really enjoys. He plays with toys, literally, all day long.

Lola B.

07-29-2009, 08:52 PM

I love this post!!! Thanks so much!!

ParrotletsRock

07-29-2009, 09:12 PM

I got them at walmart not sure what they are called I just always called them zip ties...but you can see what I mean.

jodeg

07-29-2009, 10:41 PM

I made 3 newspaper swings this afternoon and they're a THREE BIRD HIT!!
Thanks so much for the nifty idea! Here's my babies, checking them out. They worked on them most of the afternoon!

This is Kiwi, a female and my little plucker -
http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp215/jodeg/000_1158.jpg?t=1248921398

This is Kermit, my male -- he made newspapers "sawdust" all afternoon! I couldn't get a picture of him with the cage door open -- he kept running over to the camera -- what a ham!
http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp215/jodeg/000_1161.jpg?t=1248921498

This is Angelina, the little blue female I recently adopted from a friend. She was a little more hesitant about the swing, but eventually got into it.
http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp215/jodeg/000_1166.jpg?t=1248921620

ParrotletsRock

07-30-2009, 07:56 AM

Oh thank you for posting pix...We are batting four for four then as it was an instant hit with my bird to... and during the 3 months a plastic swing was in his cage he never touched it once. This he is on all the time...lol.

jodeg

07-30-2009, 10:02 AM

ParrotletsRock -

Last night, I posted my pics on another bird forum, saying I couldn't take credit for this nifty idea. This morning, a bunch of people with different kinds of birds are asking HOW to make them! I posted a link to this thread to send them in your direction, so you may be getting more questions!

Hope you don't mind!

Your fame is spreading!!!

Thanks again!

ParrotletsRock

07-30-2009, 10:39 AM

Oh cool...lol. Im famous...excuse me I need to go put on make up for my photo shoot!!.... ( walks off with clouds swirling around her swollen head.) Actually this one I can take full credit for...it just popped into my head one day and I tried it...I have no problem if others want to make them..thanks.

skthurley

07-30-2009, 10:52 AM

This is a GREAT idea!

Can I post this on the Linnie Forum Blog?

Of course you would be credited for it?

ParrotletsRock

07-30-2009, 10:56 AM

Yes you may.... feel free to post it where you would like.

skthurley

07-30-2009, 12:53 PM

Thank you! i will get on it right away!

:)

skthurley

07-30-2009, 12:58 PM

Joanne, could i use your photos of your 3 musketeers playing with the swings?

jodeg

07-30-2009, 01:58 PM

Skthurley - SURE you can! No problem!

See Parrotletsrock -- I told you your fame was spreading -- the great chewable toy inventor in the bird world! ;)

ParrotletsRock

07-30-2009, 02:03 PM

I'd like to tank my Mudder and my Fadder....and my 2nd cousin thrice removed Maybell .... ( bows excessively )

jodeg

07-30-2009, 02:05 PM

http://www.theperch.net/discussion/images/smiles/yourock.gif Thanks again!

skthurley

07-30-2009, 02:06 PM

THanks, joanne!

And here is the blog:
http://www.lineolatedparakeet.net/uncategorized/parrotlet-newspaper-swing_410

skthurley

07-30-2009, 02:07 PM

And thank you parrotletsrock!

I am psyched to make one of these for my birds!

LovelySydney

07-30-2009, 02:08 PM

cool idea!! I hate to be the wet blanket here, LOL, but I read somewhere the colored newspaper could be toxic to birds? Is there any truth to that??

ParrotletsRock

07-30-2009, 02:40 PM

from what I understand colored ink in newspapers are made from soy based inks and are completely bird safe....if you still are not sure you can also make it from all black and white pages.

jodeg

07-30-2009, 03:24 PM

I made mine from the black and white pages, just to be on the safe side.

Lola B.

07-30-2009, 04:24 PM

I thought it was shiny pages you had to watch for--- not necessarily colored pages?

LovelySydney

07-31-2009, 10:42 AM

Much of my newspaper is full of color ink - not shiny ink like would be in ads and such, but colored ink. Im still going to use it - I just wanted to be on the safe side!!

LovelySydney

07-31-2009, 10:57 AM

I just made one - yea!! Although I had to modify because I had no zip ties so I used a rubber band and a paper clip, LOL. No worries, Im going to fix that before it goes into Olly's cage!!

GRANNYAT50

07-31-2009, 11:49 PM

http://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu186/grannyat50/th_sprout31-03.jpghttp://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu186/grannyat50/th_sprout31-05.jpghttp://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu186/grannyat50/th_sprout31-18.jpgthanks for the detailed instructions. sprout goes crazy on his swing

jodeg

08-05-2009, 12:06 PM

I posted "before" pictures of my 3 newspaper swings earlier in this thread.
Here's a couple of "after" pictures -- Angelina (the Diva) hasn't touched hers much, but picks at it a little. Kiwi and Kermit have.....well, look at the pictures! Time to make 2 new swings! They are having a ball with them! They work on them every day and little black beak tips -- cute, but thankfully, washes off!

This is Kermit and his swing - or what's left of it -
http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp215/jodeg/000_1179.jpg?t=1249488270

This is Kiwi (peeking in on the left) and her VERY thin swing -
http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp215/jodeg/000_1180.jpg?t=1249488335

WHAT FUN! :D

ParrotletsRock

08-05-2009, 12:12 PM

They seem to really love to rip them up....Archie has shredded the 1st one and almost finished the second one. They are so easy and cheap to make that you can just keep replacing them as often as needed...so glad your birds enjoy them as much as mine does....at least 2 of them do..lol Here is his 1st swing after 1 1/2 - 2 weeks.

birdiemom

08-06-2009, 12:31 AM

What a neat idea...see, bird toys don't have to be expensive.

11bryces

08-11-2009, 11:35 AM

omg i love it ! ... it is cheap, shreadable and fun !

StephGee

08-11-2009, 04:59 PM

I am so making Herbie one of these. He's a little chewer, so I'm sure he'll love it. Thanks for the great idea!

ParrotletsRock

08-12-2009, 11:36 AM

Gee I am overwhelmed by the response to this idea...so glad I could help. Thanks for the positive feedback all.

Daystorm

08-12-2009, 12:10 PM

Thanks for the instructions! We have so much newspaper hanging around on account that we're moving so I ran off and made one right away! He was scared of it at first, wouldn't budge from the corner of his cage. Zack seems to have warmed up to it now, it's got bite marks on it. Thing is, he's doing it in secret. It's almost like he's thinking "No way am I going to give her the satisfaction of knowing that I actually like this toy. No friggin' way!"

ParrotletsRock

08-12-2009, 12:51 PM

Yep sounds like a parrotlet...lol

squid-finch

08-12-2009, 04:19 PM

Thanks a lot! My pie's gone through a few of these, though he doesn't sit on it as a swing...I think I was making it too thin though so these instructions help a lot! Gonna have to make some more right away!

Kumiko

08-12-2009, 11:06 PM

This is a neat little idea, and I really want to try it. Is anyone fearful of their bird's eating the paper? That's the only thing I'm worried about because Musette is my chewer. He loves paper towel, but I'm too fearful of him ingesting it.

ParrotletsRock

08-13-2009, 09:43 AM

I was at first but I have watched him close and he chews and spits.. I don't worry anymore.

Yoshi's Mama

01-22-2010, 05:02 PM

:eek: OMGosh.. I am going now to go make one. I actually have the ties! Now for the newspaper! I will post a pic when I am done!! Thankx ParrotletsRock! You are great! *watches head poof up again* :p

Yoshi's Mama

01-22-2010, 06:02 PM

Okay.. MUCH harder than it looks. I kept ripping the newspaper in half when I twisted it. I think I put too much seed in it. My camera died but will get pics posted once the battery recharges..

ParrotletsRock

01-22-2010, 06:20 PM

you have to twist just very small sections at one... trying to make it very dense.

Yoshi's Mama

01-22-2010, 06:28 PM

How big are the pieces of Newspaper? I used one double one for each of the parts of the braid.

ParrotletsRock

01-22-2010, 06:44 PM

I used flyer sized sheets laid flat

skthurley

01-23-2010, 12:31 AM

Is there something else that can be used instead of zip ties? I keep forgetting to pick some up

GRANNYAT50

01-23-2010, 01:18 AM

they work the best. the last swing I made Iused tissue paper and the end pulled out before I had the zip tie pulled tight and we had seeds all over. they really need to be secured good and I am not sure anything else would be tough enough.

skthurley

01-23-2010, 09:47 AM

Thanks! I will try and get some this week. I know Jack would LOVE a newspaper swing. He is always shredding paper lol!

enborgle

01-23-2010, 09:56 AM

I tie my ends with untreated leather strips.

skthurley

01-27-2010, 11:56 AM

Oh good idea! I will try and get some next time. :)

I have bought myself some zip ties. Now to make a swing :)(

ParrotletsRock

01-27-2010, 12:12 PM

I tried tying them with cotton string but my budgies just chewed thru the string and they fell apart...so back to the zip ties it went...lol.

skthurley

01-27-2010, 01:39 PM

Well I have 7 hoops made and connected like a chain... I may have to make 2 or 3 more, as I want to hang the chain horizontally across the middle of the cage. It's tough work braiding all those hoops. So excited to it finished and put into Jack's cage soon. I know he will love it! I just hope he doesn't chew the zip ties and break it. I'd rather him chew the newspaper to bits. lol!

I will have pics soon. I have to assemble his new flight cage later :D

VIcky Chai Tea

01-28-2010, 02:02 AM

Ahhhhh! I love it! I HAVE to make some!

ParrotletsRock

01-28-2010, 09:37 AM

jodeg

01-28-2010, 09:54 AM

I don't think he'll chew the zip ties either. I made several of these newspaper swings for my three. They went to work on the newspaper like buzz saws and didn't bother the ties.

Also, I have zip ties, 2 per door, on those little breeder doors at the top of the HQ cages, just to make sure they STAY closed. So that's four fairly little zip ties in each cage that have been there since we assembled the cages, and they've never touched them.

I wonder WHY? sometimes -- they chew on everything else -- but I'm glad they leave them alone! :rolleyes:

skthurley

01-28-2010, 10:08 AM

He chews on odd things. I had a happy perch: one that sticks to windows... and he chew the edges right off the suction cups that makes it stick in the window. In a week it was destroyed. So no happy window perch for Jack lol!

Yoshi's Mama

01-28-2010, 04:34 PM

Okay, my 2nd try was a success! Here is a pic of it! Thankx for the GREAT idea! Now I am going to make a chain.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj53/CottonCandees/Yoshi/newspaperswing-1.jpg

ParrotletsRock

01-28-2010, 04:45 PM

Looks good...how does he like it?

Yoshi's Mama

01-28-2010, 04:52 PM

Looks good...how does he like it?

He has jumped on it a few times.. well about 5 times! He is new to swings so he is still experimenting with it all but I think he will love it once he gets the hang of it! I will get a picture of him using it too :D

binkybirdy12

02-02-2010, 05:46 PM

Great idea! I'm going to make one for Lily! (yes, that's what I've named her!) :D

My only concern is that their feet are so small! How do they grip it? :confused:

ParrotletsRock

02-02-2010, 06:04 PM

they have no problem...lol.

binkybirdy12

02-02-2010, 07:26 PM

OMG! These are so easy to make! I'll post a pic of it later! :D Thanks again!

VIcky Chai Tea

02-03-2010, 12:22 AM

I finally made one for Avenger, he LOVES IT~! It's his favorite toy EVER, which is saying something because he usually snubs his toys. (unless he can easily destroy them)

Pics! (EDIT: HAHAHAH look at his eeeeyyyeees! He looks so evil! XD )
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n218/Vicky_chai_tea/SANY4369.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n218/Vicky_chai_tea/SANY4370.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n218/Vicky_chai_tea/SANY4371.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n218/Vicky_chai_tea/SANY4372.jpg

binkybirdy12

02-04-2010, 05:45 PM

Okay, when you guys make them, did your fingers get black? because I'm afraid to give it to her because of the ink... I don't know if it's soy based or not.

ParrotletsRock

02-04-2010, 07:05 PM

yes my fingers turned black...they are soy based and safe ...if in doubt call your newspaper office and ask.

BirdMa

02-04-2010, 11:04 PM

lol. My fingers got black and Beemer's beak gets black while he is killing his. I always wash it off him with some water. Or at least I try to. He doesn't always cooperate.

binkybirdy12

02-18-2010, 07:35 PM

okay, so here's the feedback! :D

Lily loves it to sleep on, and that's the only thing I see her sleep on now, but I've never seen her really play with it during the day (except to sit on!) But I'm very happy with it, she seems to like it alot! Thank you! :D:D:D:D

ladybird15

03-12-2010, 07:15 PM

I finally see it,so now I am going to make some.
Thanks for sharing!!

ParrotletsRock

03-12-2010, 09:06 PM

Glad you found it... your quite welcome.

ttoilleecarg

03-13-2010, 08:30 AM

wow thats supper cool, the kids are guna have some of those to play with as soon as i get my hands on some cable ties!

great post! thanks for sharing

i love all the pictures of every ones birds playing on them

Honeybird

03-13-2010, 02:17 PM

I just made one. It's a lot easier than I thought. Hope he likes it!

childoferna

03-21-2010, 07:00 PM

I'm going to make one today... It's very Portland of me to recycle newspapers into toys for my exotic pet.

To the recycling bin!

chyrky

03-30-2010, 08:14 PM

What a great toy! Thank you for the step by step instructions.
What other toys do your P'lets like? I've seen what looks to be a large toy jack but it was not metal-more like hard rubber. Have you seen those any where?:rolleyes:

littlebittoes

05-23-2010, 12:03 AM

I'm going to try this tomorrow. Rest relax and make a fun little project! The birds will love it!

New Arrival tomorrow, a Cobolt blue linolated parakeet. He will be a wonderful addition to our family, hoping the little parrotlet & him get along.

This is a great project. Thanks!

Frankieismybird

05-23-2010, 11:32 PM

I can't wait to try this tomorrow! Thanks for sharing.

Frankieismybird

05-24-2010, 01:05 PM

Am I missing it or did you ever get a picture of this up? I'd love to see what it looks like.

ParrotletsRock

05-24-2010, 01:10 PM

Hmmm you musta missed it cuz there are pix at the first of this thread ,also there are pix of my 1st one with my p'let in here somewhere ... just a sec and I will look for it.....found it.... http://talkparrotlets.com/showthread.php?t=5023&highlight=newspaper+swing
(http://talkparrotlets.com/showthread.php?t=5023&highlight=newspaper+swing)

Frankieismybird

05-24-2010, 01:14 PM

Oops sorry, I haven't figured out how to use the forum buttons yet. I thought I replied to this post. I wanted to see if skthurley made the chain. I guess I can just picture it in my mind. I did see all the other pictures though. Thanks ParrotletsRock for replying.

Well I have 7 hoops made and connected like a chain... I may have to make 2 or 3 more, as I want to hang the chain horizontally across the middle of the cage. It's tough work braiding all those hoops. So excited to it finished and put into Jack's cage soon. I know he will love it! I just hope he doesn't chew the zip ties and break it. I'd rather him chew the newspaper to bits. lol!

I will have pics soon. I have to assemble his new flight cage later :D

skthurley

05-25-2010, 12:34 AM

i did make the chain.... didnt actually get a photo .... but here is a pic of the chain in his cage... in the left portion

Frankieismybird

05-25-2010, 09:56 AM

That looks so neat. I will have to do that.

Frankieismybird

05-26-2010, 07:27 PM

She has been on this thing non stop! Thanks again for the how to!

http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/rlnieman/DSCF1449-1.jpg

bluesred

06-04-2010, 01:02 PM

What a brilliant idea!!

I didn't have any newspaper around, so I folded two sheets of 3 hole lined paper together lengthwise a couple of times, and then used those... ( Which I now realize may have bleach or nasty blue and red inks.... :S ) I had no zip-ties, so I staggered the three pieces and wove the ends together into a ring, then tied it into one of Clover's spiral cut straw toys... she investigated it quickly before hopping into "bed" last night, and I'm looking forward to seeing what she's done with it today when I get home! Pictures may be required, knowing her level of 'creativity'!!

Cindyr

08-06-2010, 01:44 AM

Great post and i am going to make this for my Skittles. Thanks!! :)

Wuzzoluvr

08-06-2010, 02:33 AM

Guess I know what I'll be doing tomorrow! Thanks bunches!! They looks so cool!!!

Cindyr

08-06-2010, 11:36 AM

Hi!
I saw your post last night with the info to make one of these swings. I just made one for my Skittles this morning so i will see how he likes it.

I also ordered from www.choppertoys.com (http://www.choppertoys.com) the Pinwheel Crunch. I bought this for Skittles a few years ago and i don't know why i never ordered more refills. He LOVED this!!!! So i am recommending it as well to all of you for your little ones. You can see it under "SHREDDABLES" and then "NATURES NATURALS". They ship really fast........my order was out in the mail within 24 hours.

Cindyr :)

Jinx n Noodle

08-06-2010, 03:01 PM

hmmm, the link didn't work for me.

jodeg

08-06-2010, 03:24 PM

I just checked. It should be www.chopperstoys.com (http://www.chopperstoys.com) , with an "s" after chopper.

I just checked out the "Pinwheel Crunch" -- looks good and would be really easy to make at home and save some $$$ -- I already have some of the woven material, which can be purchased at Petco (and probably PetsMart) in colored or natural. I usually just cut it into several lengths and weave it through the bars of Angelina and Libby's cages. They take care of the rest!

Cindyr

08-07-2010, 01:40 AM

Thanks jodeg for correcting my weblink!! Good idea too about purchasing the woven material. I will have to look at our PetsMart next time i go. Where is this in their store? Bird section?

Jinx n Noodle

08-07-2010, 11:56 AM

Ah yes, bird section. I have some clipped to the side of the cages for my guys. They love it. They also like the pinatas that are made from the same woven materail (can be bought at Petsmart/Petco too). I usually get the big parrot sized ones and my guys slowly work at it over time:)

jodeg

08-07-2010, 12:55 PM

Yes, it's in the bird section. I get mine at Petco. PetSmart probably carries it too.

Another good, cheap, shredable "toy" are those "finger traps". They're kind of a woven straw material in the shape of a tube. They're kids toys really -- even from when I was a kid, a long, long, LONG time ago! When you put a finger in each end and pull, it gets "trapped" until you push your fingers together to losen the straw -- remember those?

Anyway, for Angelina, my P'let, I shove one onto one of her perches, and she picks away at it. For Libby, my Conure, I have a big bell on a chain and I thread one or two of the "traps" onto the chain. When she chews on them, the bell rings, and she likes that. She usually goes through one of these every day, but Angelina takes a few days on hers. Good thing they're cheap!

Sometimes you can find them at the Dollar Store. Oriental Trading carries them -- 72 to a bag. I got the last bag of 72 on eBay, just did a search for them. You can also do a Google search for "finger traps" and look for the cheapest price. I bought a supply last year at a bird fair -- that's where I originally got the idea the birds would like them!

A cheap toy that keeps my babies busy! Perfect!

Daffygal

09-19-2010, 07:17 AM

Thank you so much!! I just got my girls and noticed they are QUITE the chewers so I am going to make them a swing today!! Love the idea of adding some seeds, make them work for a bit of a treat. GREAT pictures for instructions too!!

Flugmeister

09-19-2010, 09:42 AM

Great idea--you should put this on Instructables (http://www.instructables.com/). Would not be much of a stretch to braid extra length into the design for a bigger ring that the larger birds would enjoy.

Thanks for a great idea!

skthurley

11-10-2010, 09:32 PM

Awhile back I wrote an article for this swing on the Linnie Forum blog. I used the directions and photos with permissions from members here. And guess what, World Parrot Refuge just linked to my article on their facebook page :)

ChihuaLover

11-22-2010, 09:32 PM

Jack seemed to like his new swing as soon as I put in his cage!
Thanks so much for sharing!

Jose's Mom

11-23-2010, 11:31 AM

Love the pic.. and love your little dog!!! SO cute!

Terran

11-27-2010, 04:19 PM

Great post, and thanks so much! I have some leather cord I can use instead of the zip ties. Kiwi loves picking at leather, and being able to hunt for seeds in the swing will be a real treat. I'm going to make one right now:)