How to Make Your Own Cockatoo Toys

Cockatoos are very curious and need to be stimulated. One way to stimulate your bird is to introduce it to new toys. Cockatoos will play with just about anything, from PEZ containers to cardboard; however, more complex cockatoo toys are very easy to make. After you become familiar with the different materials that cockatoos enjoy playing with, you will be able to get creative and craft different kinds of toys for your pet.

Things You'll Need

  • Set of cotton shoelaces (2 strings)
  • 4 large wooden beads
  • Handful of plastic beads (brightly colored or metallic)
  • 2 cardboard toilet paper rolls (empty)
  • Wiffle ball
  • 2 metal rings (ring binder clips or metal keychain rings)
  • 1 pen, pencil or screwdriver
  • Breakable cockatoo treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Tie one end of a shoelace very tightly to one metal ring. Tie a knot in the shoelace beneath the metal ring.

    • 2

      Slide three plastic beads onto the shoe lace beneath the knot. Slide one wooden bead underneath the plastic beads, and then slide three more plastic beads underneath the wooden bead. Tie a knot.

    • 3

      Puncture a hole into the center of the side of the cardboard toilet paper roll with the pen, pencil or screwdriver. Push all the way through to the other side.

    • 4

      Push the shoe lace through one of the holes. String some plastic beads onto the shoelace inside the toilet paper roll. Thread the shoelace through to the other side of it. Tie a knot underneath the roll.

    • 5

      Add three more plastic beads, one wooden bead, and then three more plastic beads to the string. Tie a knot below the beads.

    • 6

      Push the cockatoo treats into the holes in the waffle ball. Break down the treats as necessary to get them to fit. It is fine if the pieces are able to fall out, since they will fall into the cage for the bird to eat.

    • 7

      String the shoe lace through both sides of the Wiffle ball. Tie a knot underneath.

    • 8

      Repeat Steps 2 through 5 to mirror the top half of the cockatoo toy. Tie a very tight knot at the bottom.

    • 9

      Attach the end of the shoelace to the second metal ring. Fasten the rings onto the bars of the cage in whatever position you would like. If you are using keychain rings, slide the bar of the cage into the gap and rotate, just as you would attach the rings to a key. If you are using binder clips, open them and then clamp the rings around the bars of the cage just like you would fasten them around loose leaf paper.