How to make a bendable perch or boing for you parrot

Most common questions answered:
100% cotton rope (I used a horse lead in the video, but you can buy cotton rope online fairly cheaply now). Ideally, you should use Paulie (aka: Poly) rope which will shred to tinier strings which will cause less likely tangles with bird feet. I use 1/2 inch diameter rope for my smaller birds and 3/4 inch for the bigger ones.
Wire: I used stainless steel wire from mcmaster.com. The exact one that I used in the video is
Bend-and-Stay 302/304 Stainless Steel Wire, 0.064" Diameter, 1 lb. Spool, 91' Long. I've used thicker stainless steel for the bigger birds, they're just hard to work with (either that or my hands are really weak!). Stainless steel is one of the safer options for parrot toys.
End pieces are wooden candle cups from a craft store like Michaels. I've also used PVC end caps with a hole drilled through it.

[@Avantg1976]

Haha the birds are adorable! Thanks for the tutorial! That's a great way to save money and to know what's in the toy that the bird will be exposed to.

[@Spiritualpanda2]

I’ve been looking for videos on how to make boings for birds, but just a FYI a cotton used for anything in birds is deadly. Not only can it get stuck in their crops which require surgeries but it can get trapped around their heads, wings or toes( amputations). I would make it out of natural fiber ropes(sisal)

[@odette3805]

Even sisal has been known to cause issues, seagrass is a better material for things like this and foraging walls

[@mushkabushka7418]

the bird walking around was priceless! very funny:) great job, Im going to make this, thank u:)

[@barbarabowen8308]

I love the tutorial and your birds sound so happy. I loved hearing them and seeing little Wasabi. What a cutie! Thanks for the great info. Cant wait to try!

[@staciemarkham3656]

I could hear you just fine, and thanks for the tutorial. I knew there had to be a way to make them yourself. I've been looking everywhere for instructions for this. So thanks :)

[@boopy6430]

Your birds are so ready for that toy

[@jakibros]

This is a wonderful tutorial! I was sent here by AvianWeb. I was looking for a customized boing from companies with no luck. So very helpful. Thank you! My disabled Grey Lily will be enjoying her custom DIY boing very soon! Keep up the good work!

[@carmenl4025]

Haaa! Great video and the commentary from your birdie was soo cute!!

[@juliesmith5567]

Where is the best place to get those ropes from as I've wanted to do that but can't find anywhere can you a dog toy made of similar rope then wire it or hang it in for a toy

[@KimberlyShaysWorld]

I love this idea!!! Thanks for posting.

[@wrestlemaniacism1]

MAGIC. Love it.

[@christinealstrup3228]

Hi! 😊 Thanks for the recepie for making a rope perch! 😊I've been looking for a long time, after a way to put the ends in "something" and make them attach to the cage. But i really looove your idea about the wood-thing you put on the ends! 😊 I live in Denmark, and I hope you can help me, be course I'm looking for those wood-things you use, so I can buy and use them to. 😊But I can't seem to find them anywhere. 😔😖So I was hoping you could tell me the name of the wood-things?, and where you buy them? ☺️ Then maybe I can find the name in Danish, and look a place similar the store you bought it from. 😊 Thanks a bunch! - Have a nice day! 😊 Kind regardsChristine PS: I'm sorry about my poor english, I hope you can understand me a bit. ☺️

[@janetosgood4098]

Thanks a lot !! I have tried to make one of these but had no idea how to do it. They are so costly in the stores. Thank you again.

[@marianneyang7695]

your parrotlet is SOOOOO cute ohm y god

[@mellowsnail4534]

Wow this is very helpful!!

[@musthafausman3570]

I just saw a angry bird launch

[@miaow.mystery]

I wish I am that creative

[@Azeendokht]

supper smart way of doing it, you are great

[@michilovr]

DANG THAT BIRD IS LOUD

[@SarahBecker]

HAHAHa your little bird. Next time you do an instructional video you might want to keep the birds away. The little ones Tweeting made it very hard to hear what you were saying. Besides that it's a great video great video.

[@MihaelaRo]

I think it was a great video and if you like birds wasabi should not have bothered you I think he was very cute

[@lucycowpe3776]

Turn on captions my bird is squaring in my ear while I watch this

[@Aleksandra1389]

Great manual and great idea! Can you just tell me, please, what kind of wire is that? I know it's bendable, but is there any more detail it's useful to know? Thank you!

[@ngxx0057]

It's stainless steel.

[@jenica3874]

Hi - I was thinking maybe you could wind the wire around the screw head and then put the screw through the pot and possibly then you would need to use hot glue - do you think this is a possibility? Where can I get the rope and the wire (what gauge is the wire you used), as we have cockatiels and smaller birds and they do like their comfy perches and boings. Thanks.

[@maryng5606]

That is a good idea, I will have to try that with a smaller screw. I tried a version of that with a screw that fitted through the hole and I had trouble screwing through the hole in the pot since I couldn't get my screwdriver in the pot since the rope took so much of the space. The rope that I used was originally a 100% cotton lead for horses and I got it at a local horse supply place. The wire is 0.102 inch stainless steel wire from mcmaster.com. For cockatiels you can try the 0.064 inch wire too, but my birds didn't like the increased bounce that the weaker wire created.

[@jakibros]

I made my first boing today. I purchased the 10 gauge wire thru the site you suggested. I had the choice between spring wire and bend & stay. I picked the bend & stay. I purchased 1/2" rope since it came in the colors I wanted. But it is too thin and very springy. The smaller birds will have to use it. I will check the horse lead rope 3/4" next. Which wire did you use, the "bend & stay" or the spring wire? When you used the 8 gauge, did it prevent it becoming too springy?

[@maryngo1452]

+jakibros - I used bend and stay. It really depends on what your birds like (in terms of springiness) and how heavy they are. The 8 gauge works well for my caiques and Grey. It was just harder to work with.

[@jakibros]

+Mary Ngo I'll do that next. Thank you!

[@nat-eb1pl]

my green parrotlet likes to play with a rope and I'm trying to decorate it with colorful markers..I hope she likes it...Hope is my parrotlet's name so cute and a girl

[@ngxx0057]

Mmgamingguy- Can't seem to reply to your comment. But the wood pots came from Michael's the craft store. They're called candle pots.

[@staciemarkham3656]

Oh, could you possibly edit the comments and tell us exactly what rope and wire you used? That would be helpful. Thanks so much for the video. It was very helpful :)

[@charlottegoodwill3133]

Hi, great video but I had a few questions a) I own quite a few budgies and wanted to ask if I needed the same thickness of wire as you? I think that it shouldn't be much different. b) How thick is your wire? Do you have a website you recommend for the wire? Thanks your response will be appreciated :D

[@maryngo1452]

What I used should be fine for budgies. I used "Bend-and-Stay 302/304 Stainless Steel Wire, 0.064" Diameter, 1 lb. Spool, 91' Long". as least that's what it was listed when I bought the wire years ago (it lasts me a fairly long time as I reuse the wire). I bought it from mcmaster.com

[@leanev]

Yes!!! Thank you so much!

[@nitamoore]

Can you tell me what gauge SS wire would you recommend for goffins, a grey and a U2?

[@ngxx0057]

I've would use either 8 or 10 gauge wire. For my CAG, I used 10 gauge without problems, very minimal bounce to it which is what she prefers. I've worked with 8 gauge too, but really stiff, so hard to bend into loops.

[@adiwollaby7667]

Thank you so much!❤️❤️❤️

[@arbieb2405]

This has been posted for a good while but for folks reading 2021 onward...just be sure the Bend-and-Stay 302/304 Stainless Steel Wire is completely covered by rope and not easily accessible to parrot chewing... The SAE 304 stainless steel is the most common stainless steel and contains both chromium and nickel metals as the main non-iron constituents. I tried to find a safer alternative in 314 SS Wire but 314 stainless steel is notable for containing comparatively high amounts of silicon (Si) and chromium (Cr). Perhaps a "little safer" but best to monitor the wear closely as the metals aren't healthy for parrots to gnaw on so just be cautious...

[@eaglecrest7]

Excllent tip

[@Deas-Mhumhna]

Hello. I am having great trouble finding the pot you mentioned in your video. Ngxx0057 says they can be found at Michael's but I can no longer search for them and their mini flower pots are too small. I would like to know where you found your pots.

[@maryngo1452]

Well, I did find them at Michaels (ngxx0057 is me and I made the video). The video was made about 4 years ago, so it's possible that they don't carry that particular type anymore. You can try another craft store to see if they sell something similar. Otherwise, I have also used PVC end caps with holes drilled in them in place of the candle/flower pot and they come in a variety of sizes.

[@LivingMyBestLifeIAm]

Isn't this the item right here? canada.michaels.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-MichaelsCanada-Site/en_CA/Product-Show?pid=10103283

[@LivingMyBestLifeIAm]

Also found this size :) canada.michaels.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-MichaelsCanada-Site/en_CA/Product-Show?pid=10102800

[@Deas-Mhumhna]

Yes but Ngxx0057 said the wrong name. They are candle cups, not holders. That makes a huge difference.

[@maryngo1452]

Yes, that looks like the right one.

[@DownyZ]

I'm so disappointed with the results I got. It doesn't hold the boing at all. I need a really big, or long, one for my Quakers. I got them an Activity Center that is way big, so this would bring them a place to get around, but after $60 of goods, nothing is working all that well. As usually, frustrated and near to tears. I used 16 gauge SS wire, but it's just doesn't hold the boing as well.

[@ngxx0057]

16 gauge is too small for the weight that you're using it for (weight of the bird and the amount of cotton rope). You're going to need something thicker than that like 10 gauge. I use 8-10 gauge wire for my bigger birds and works great. The 16 gauge I used to make a small boing for my parrotlets.

[@sharafatawan5713]

nice video really helped me thanks

[@angelaorr892]

Love it! Maybe next time do a tutorial outside so not so distracted :)

[@moviemakerwannabe]

It would be less expensive to buy your rope by the foot at a hardware store. You can also choose the diameter that is best for your bird.

[@kingmiles1112]

Thank you so much for sharing

[@MMGAMINGGUY]

were do you get the little wood pots

[@khalidkakaw954]

عمل جميل ومفيد .. تسلم الايادي

[@glorioskey]

My lovebird always had to be where my hands were doing something.. somethings hed get upset and bite if he thought they were dangerous. I think wasabi wants to be sure everything's ok.

[@BladeAerialFox]

Would this be good for budgies?

[@maryngo1452]

Yes. My parrotlet is a bit smaller than a budgie and he uses the same rope boings.

[@BladeAerialFox]

could making a rope out of string also work?

[@maryngo1452]

Probably, you just have to get the twist on it tight, otherwise nails and toes will get caught in it.

[@ChickstasHobby]

Can you share links for materials?

[@ngxx0057]

mcmaster.com for the wire and you can get the machine screws, washers, and winged nut from them too (though I got mine locally). You just need to make sure that all the hardware matches. For example, if you get a 10-24 screw, then you need to get matching 10-24 nut and the washes have to have large enough holes for your screw to go through yet small enough that your nut will hold it all together when you put it together. the cotton rope, I got locally, but you can find it at amazon too. Here's a link to one of them: www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Cotton-Lead-Nickel-Plated-Thick/dp/B001G3WQUM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1392246134&sr=8-3&keywords=cotton+horse+lead the wood bases are wood candle cups: www.joann.com/wood-shapes-candle-cups/2181535.html#q=wood+candle&start=1 Or you can use PVC end caps too, you just have to drill a hole through them.

[@gracefulglowandco]

Where did you buy the wire? And leash?

[@ngxx0057]

Lorissa Rodriguez The wire came from mcmaster.com. The leash came from my local Fleet Farm, it's a horse lead. You should be able to find them from any horse supply stores.

[@Aleksandra1389]

Thank you very much!

[@marie8008]

Thank you so much.

[@sharafatawan5713]

will this be fine for a indian ringnech parrot please ans

[@ngxx0057]

+sharafat awan - sorry for the delayed response. This didn't show up on my notification emails. But short answer is yes, it should be fine for ringnecks.

[@Kaliprepper]

Where do you buy your wire? I really want to make this.

[@ngxx0057]

I get my wire from mcmaster.com

[@Kaliprepper]

ngxx0057 what size wire you usually use? Im hoping to make my own bird perches as I just bought a HUGE aviary for my lone cockatiel lol. Id also like to make my own wood perches but not 100% sure on size of threaded rod and washers I should get

[@ngxx0057]

Our Homestead Dream It depends on what you want and your bird. If you want a super bouncy boing or perch, then you can use 0.064 inch diameter SS, which will be fine for a cockatiel. But I personally prefer something stiffer (most of my birds do too), then I use 0.102 inch diameter... which works well for my African Grey too. The 0.102 inch is just stiff enough that it holds its shape well, but yet doesn't take a lot of arm strength to bend or cut. As for the threaded rods (I use 2 inch hanger bolts), it really depends on the diameter of your perch. For a cockatiel, you can probably won't go any thicker than 3/4 inch diameter, so a 10-24 hanger bolt (you would then need to get 10-24 winged nuts to go with this... and well, the washers would just need to have a big enough hole that the bolt can go through and is wide enough for your cage bars). I ordered the hanger bolts from mcmaster too a I couldn't find them locally.

[@DownyZ]

ngxx0057 This is turning into such a nightmare for me! I ordered 0.102 SS wire from McMaster, and it didn't come on a spool. I don't much like working with the coil. So, I see in your video you clearly have the wire on a spool (as McMillian's catalogue said this comes on a spool), so where on earth do you get a spool of this 0.102 SS wire, please? I can see I will have to get some sort of end for it, as with the first one I made I was able to just bend the wire around the holder. I wonder if I'll ever get this right! You never did introduce yourself on this video, so I'll just say thanks for your time. :)

[@maryngo1452]

DownyZ Sorry to hear that you're having so many problems. The video is of me working with 0.064 inch diameter wire, so that's why it came on a spool. My 0.102 wire came coiled. I actually didn't mind it coiled as for boings, it meant that I didn't have to coil it. And it's easier to straightened coiled stuff than try to coil something that is wrapped around a spool; especially something as thick as 0.102. To be specific, I get the Bend-and-Stay 302/304 Stainless Steel Wire, 0.102" Diameter, 1 lb. Coil, 36' Long. In a coiled position, it's a little harder to work with, but it's not bad once you get the hang of it (especially if I hold the loose end with my foot or something so it doesn't spring all over the place).

[@abduolrahmansafwat153]

wonderful.

[@Bluesidian]

omg that racket would drive me crazy.

[@briannacampanita]

Omg I wanna make one of those

[@anapunza]

Hola me ha encantado tu vídeo , muchas gracias, donde compras la cuerda?

[@ngxx0057]

anapunza Sorry, I only speak English. But per google translation, I got the rope from a 100% cotton horse lead.

[@csabo1725]

ngxx0057 Never heard of Google translate?

[@ngxx0057]

csabo1725 It's just an online translator of what you wrote as I don't speak Spanish.

[@csabo1725]

ngxx0057 OK I guess you are stupid too. I am saying use google translate to translate questions from other languages you don't understand. Holy shit you want me to teach you how to cross the street next?

[@ngxx0057]

csabo1725 Apparently, you're not understanding what I'm writing. I stated in my first response that I used google translate to respond to your question. I say that because online translation isn't always accurate just in case response to the translation of what you asked isn't what you're looking for.

[@waqarsyed6641]

awesome

[@BxBLavi]

Love It :3 and love wasabi

[@anandi483]

It’s a wonderful video but really hard to hear you .

[@ChickstasHobby]

how much would you say this cost to make ?

[@ngxx0057]

So for the supplies, it would probably cost me around $12-15 and that would make 2- 5 foot long perches... or 2 boings.

[@JanieAmericanIrish7777]

Lol..Cant hear you very well..but I can see what your doing 👌👍

[@jema.flores]

I can't hear shit but I didn't mind❤️

[@grizzlymagnum6505]

This is really helpfull. But it is difficult to hear beacuse of the birds

[@jessicagomber]

I went to the website to look for the wire you used but there are so many. You wouldn't happen to have the item number that you purchased would you? I was able to find the lead. Thanks for video!! These are not cheap to buy in the stores. Will save lots of $$$. :D

[@ngxx0057]

+jessica gomber It's 8860K19 Bend-and-Stay 302/304 Stainless Steel Wire, 0.064" Diameter, 1 lb. Spool, 91' Long. That's the particular one that I purchased, but there's different ID numbers for different lengths. It'll also vary depending on what kind of bird you're using this for. It works for up to African Greys... though I personally think it's a bit weak for African Greys and picked a heavier gauged wire for my Grey.

[@jessicagomber]

+ngxx0057 thank u! I have a quaker so I shouldn't need anything bigger than that. in your opinion do you think that would be to thick? I want it to bounce a little bit. I just can't find it locally to go in a store and look at it and test it. thanks again!

[@ngxx0057]

+jessica gomber - should be fine. It's what I use for my parrotlets, cockatiels, and caiques. They do fine on it. The Grey sinks it, so I went thicker for her.

[@shamudraafaz1006]

0:05 did anyone notice the bird??

[@ellieletourneau2313]

You flung your parrotlet at 4:04!

[@xpj1000]

not gonna finish watching. the birds are too annoying because they're too close to the mic. better luck next time.

[@DJZmom326]

Love the toy would love to make it however I can't hear anything you are saying.......maybe next time try in a more quiet place so we can hear what is going on this video does nothing for someone who is blind and can't hear a word you say half the time

[@juliejenkins2376]

Please , don't make your next video in your bird room. I can barely hear you over the birds. FYI, viewers don't watch this video with earphones. Your ears will be ringing afterwards.

[@nbt2397]

we get it - you have brids. there is no need to make the video with them chirping on the background. cannot hear anything!

[@ccdepp9050]

Hello, as I mentioned in a previous comment, I'm so grateful 2 your video but u really need 2 list the following warning: PLEASE UPDATE YOUR VIDEO & COMMENT SECTION 2 keep people's birds safe 2 let them know they****should NOT use galvanized wire***** for this, must b Zinc FREE like food grade welder TIG wire is. I almost poisoned my bird before I realized this.

[@ngxx0057]

LOL, youtube updated and took me forever to figure out how to update the description. Hopefully that'll clear it up for other people. I never specifically mentioned using galvanized wire, always stated in the comments that it was stainless steel that I was using. As for getting a new video with updates, probably not going to happen any time soon, I don't have the spare time to do it.

[@ccdepp9050]

@@ngxx0057 I hope so. Unfortunately even well educated folks don't understand that stainless steel can b comprised of different metals, it's not all the same. And if folks can only find it say online or homedepot...they may b getting the wrong thing. I did that initially before my spaz mind kicked in! I may keep popping by just 2 remind folks zinc is toxic & not all stainless steel is safe

[@mytiger8butterfly]

lol hes a spazz

[@mytiger8butterfly]

he like you need to work littl faster wat do i pay you for woman lol

[@gaynorfernandez8001]

You can't just throw your bird like that RIP wassabi

[@maryngo1452]

The little bugger is still going strong 4 years later. Nope didn't throw him at all, he just came with my arm when I pulled away because he chomped it.... he just wouldn't let go!

[@Zeiram20]

i literally couldnt hear over that god awful racket lol

[@iioxky2266]

Ho no

[@mytiger8butterfly]

stop talking a work lol mom m

[@patriciakoenig3966]

What kind of bird is that?

[@maryng5606]

He's a parrotlet.

[@khalidkakaw954]

عمل جميل ومفيد .. تسلم الايادي

[@savannahleigh9077]

Where do you buy your wire or the inside??