Things You'll Need
- Natural wood beads with a hole in the middle
- Thread
- Clean shoestring
- Small squares of cardboard
- Unbuttered plain popcorn---popped
- Large needle
- Heavy thread or twine
Instructions
Homemade Toy with Beads
Select natural wood beads with holes in them from your hobby and craft or discount store. Make sure that if the beads are painted, it is with non-toxic paint or shellac.
Thread the wooden beads onto a clean shoestring.
Place small squares of cardboard with a hole in the middle between each bead to give the toy variety and to create a pleasing shape for your pet parakeet, according to the Tail Feathers Network website.
Tie each end of the shoelace into a knot to keep the beads from falling off and be sure to leave a couple of inches at the top so that you can attach the toy to the parakeet's cage.
Edible Popcorn Toy
Pop some plain, unbuttered popcorn. (Parakeets don't digest artificial flavorings or additives well, and any other type of popcorn could make your bird ill.)
Thread a needle with some twine or heavy thread and place a wooden bead at one end of the thread by tying a knot around it. This will prevent the popcorn from sliding off the string.
Place the popcorn onto the needle and slide it down until it reaches the wooden bead. Continue placing popcorn on the string until you have about fifteen pieces on the string.
Tie the other end of the string to the cage and watch your parakeet enjoy his new edible toy.