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FreBreze?

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 7:56 pm
by bali727
i have heard that air fresheners are bad for birds? is frebreze ok? or none at all?

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 3:51 pm
by Melika
There is no proof one way or the other about Febreze.

Febreze is actually working with avian vets and specialists to see if there is a concern. Just to be safe, they themselves recommend waiting until the Febreze is dry and the room has been aired out before birds return to it.


So just don't use it on or around your bird (if/when you get one) or it's cage. ^^

Here is A LOT of info on common toxins or products one might use in the home pertaining to parrots. Enjoy the reading. :) http://www.parrotparrot.com/birdhealth/alerts.htm

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 4:02 pm
by bali727
I checked out that link. ITS PERFECT :)

thanks for replying. (Hane is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L :))

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 4:11 pm
by Melika
Thank you. :)

I think it's great that you're trying to learn as much as you can before taking on the responsibility of a parrot. These guys live thirty years and deserve a life-long home. Kudos to your mother as well, for making you ask questions. They're all important ones!

Oh and I know I plunked down at least 200$ for my first toy purchases. I wanted enough to outfit the cage and have extra to switch out so Hane wouldn't get bored. I remember seeing you ask something about that in an earlier topic.

I tend to buy his toys all at one time, so it's always a few hundred dollars here and there. I buy most of his things from http://www.drsfostersmith.com/bird-supplies/pr/c/5059 And get their catalogue. It lets me mix and match different toys and get a little discount. Then I always check the clearence toys at PetSmart and a small local store. Since I keep rotating the toys, they last a while.

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 9:59 pm
by bali727
Thanks for replying. :)

yeah my mom said I need know everything about these little beutiful birds before I think about getting one. I need to get a bit more money haha. I have enough for the lil guy and a cage. But now that you say the toys are going to be around $150-$200! I'll probaly get one after my summer vacation, then I'll have alot of time :D

thanks again for replying(very helpful) and I'll check out that website and see the amazingly expensive(or cheap) toys :)

-Lucas

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 12:42 pm
by Melika
You'll want toys that are at least big enough for a conure. Things made for 'tiels and budgies are often much too fragile for an IRN's stronger beak.

Look for variety, especially with the first toys you get. It not only exposes your bird to something new, but gives them lots to do! So look at texture and sizes and materials, things that are shreddable and things that aren't, etc.

You'll see what he plays with the most and the textures he prefers over time. For instance, Hane has one toy that is always left in his cage for him to beat up. He likes to beat it up and takes out frustration on it. But only that toy. The rest are for playing it seems. So that's the only toy that never gets switched out! He loves leather, sisal, pinata, and wood toys. He plays with a little bit of everything, but I try to include those in there. He's gone through a few toys in the past that are for sale now from that site so I shall be getting the ones he liked best again. Hane hates swings. A variety of perch sizes is great. Hane loves to hop around his cage so I place his perches so that he can and the longer toys to climb up to the next level. I should get a pic. :D If he flaps to work his wings, he tends to do that on the floor of his cage so I leave that pretty clear.

Tsume, my sister's IRN and Hane's brother, is completely different. He loves to kill his toys. Thinner pieces of wood, lots of shreddables. He goes to town on wood toys. He flaps around a lot and loves to swing crazily from the ends of toys (or a long strip of leather). So his cage is much less cluttered in general. His toys are kept to the edges of his cage so he doesn't damage feathers and has room to swing!

The best way to buy, that I've found, is to get the catalogue. I go through and circle everything I want, don't even look at price. Then I go through and list it all out and the price total. Then I got through and cut out the most expensive, or things I don't really need to get. Then I have my new total.
You can also try bird fairs. My friend would go plop down $500 at a time for a large collection of awesome toys. You'd have to be careful, since birds are there too and you never know what birdie contagions are floating about in the air.

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 4:44 pm
by bali727
Thanks for the long reply :)

yeah a pic of your cage would be nice, to see how many perches what toys Hane likes and such :) and one more question about birdie health: Teflon. Teflon is a big no no right? like in pots and pans? anyways...yeah. ill look through that website, and order the catalogue. :)

And is wood from trees okay? or is some of the wood from trees poisonous to birds? in my back yard i have 2 trees. thee is always little sparrows chirping happily in it, but i'm wondering, if they've grown immune, or its not poisonous.

and last one :). you can buy sunflower seeds at the store for human consumption. is it alright to share those seeds with birdies?(The brand is David Sunflower Seeds) There is a lot of salt, and i'm not sure a bird can tolerate with it. so yeah. :)

thanks again :)

-Lucas

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 12:35 pm
by Melika
Birds can't eliminate salt like we humans do, so no salty foods for them.

That's right, nonstick coatings like teflon are a no-no. Can be found in ovens, toaster ovens, on bakeware, etc. The birds are never nearby when the oven is self cleaning. Some self-cleaning components are non-stick.

Depends on the tree. Sparrows don't gnaw the wood like a parrot will. Here's a good reference. http://www.thelaughingparrot.com/Safeplants.html

I'll get the pics asap.
I'm sure there are other places to buy toys as well. You just have to find them. :)

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 1:06 am
by bali727
Okie dokie :D
thanks or replying so quickly, and for answering all the questions:)

as for the Teflon buisness, would 'Pam' the non stick spray be alright or no not stick at all? Ok an how do I check for Teflon in pots and pans?

Thanks again(hope to see pics soon :))

-Lucas

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 3:09 am
by smallworld
Lucas old boy, your mom would be pissed if you told her to get rid off everything in the kitchen wouldnt she? :wink: Most of the new non-stick frying pans and pots have teflon or different forms of it. So you gotta be very careful there, as teflon fumes have no smell or color. However, the fumes are only released after the pan is heated up to a certain temperature. The exact temperature depends on the 'teflon', so to say. As I told you there are various types. Do a wiki or google search about it. You'll get to learn more.

As for PAM, the only thing I remember is that Italian guy going 'she gotta sista?' haha that was a funny tv ad. Never tried it n dont know whats in it, sorry.

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 8:24 pm
by bali727
Yes SHE WOULD haha :oops:

another thing ill look up the teflon on ggogle, and find out what I(yes i have to) buy my mom(pots and pans wise :wink: )

so i checked that rescue center and there are NO ringnecks or for that matter, for 100 miles.

so i found a so cal breeder of exotic birds, and he has over 100 mutations! im thinking of getting a grey, or cinnamon turquoise, ill post pics below. tell me what you guys think :)

Image
Grey Irn
Image
turquoise baby :)

tell me what you think, i have like 10 more from the breeder :)(i hope it works)

BTW those are HIS BABYS NOT MINE. :)

and he says both are $220 with sexing good deal?

thanks again

-Lucas

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 8:31 pm
by pinkdevil
No images are showing up in my browser. :(

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 8:32 pm
by bali727
Hmmm... lemme just try to put a link

http://s814.photobucket.com/albums/zz63 ... uebaby.jpg

http://s814.photobucket.com/albums/zz63 ... eybaby.jpg


hope that works, if not.. any suggestions haha?

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:41 pm
by pinkdevil
yay.....seen the pics. :D

Sweet little bubbies. I want them both!!! :roll:

I am not sure of pricing where you live if it is a good deal or not. Maybe someone closer to you would be able to answer that question for you. :)

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:52 pm
by xx_sheena_xx
they are both sooo cute!!

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 8:07 am
by bali727
I have some more baby pics if you guys would like to see them :) ahaha

what kind of money do you use, I use USD I have a converter, so I'll check the price in your money and tell me if it's a good deal. I'll also look around the web and see if it's too expensive or if it's good :)

thanks

-Lucas

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 11:13 am
by smallworld
Oh I like those pics. My wife went awww. :lol: Personally though, I'm leaning towards the grey fella :wink:
I dont know about the price though. Cant say because it depends on where you are too. Over here for our 'greenie' we paid, 25 euros. I had to pay another 40 euros for transport. I had him sent to us from the breeders. So including express animal freight, it was 65 Euros. The breeder had some other colors as well. I think his most expensive color was 125 euros or something.

I'm not big on mutations, so I stuck with greenie. Cute lil boy he is now too :D If the price in your region is much and it sounds like it would be if there are no other ringneck breeders for a 100 miles, what you should do is outsource, so to say. Look for somebody, somewhere where there are alot of breeders in the region and you'll get a good price (competition usually makes the price cheaper :wink: ). You can have him sent to you if you cant get there, but I'd say you take a look for yourself first. Sometimes the breeding conditions and the breeder might really be crap. I once only bought a lovebird because I felt really bad for it. When I went to the breeders house, I didnt expect to find the birds all in the cellar, with only a 6 inch by 6 inch window for sunlight! I didnt want to buy it at first but I felt so bad to leave him there, so I took him. Had I more space and money I would've bought all his birds.

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 3:40 pm
by bali727
Yeah i like the greyone too :)
I'll post more pics when I get home tonight :)

and I would have of bought that lovebird too :( it's sad what people do to animals :(

:) thanks

-Lucas

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 6:56 pm
by bali727
okay heres a couple more pictures tell me what you think. :)

http://s814.photobucket.com/albums/zz63 ... eybaby.jpg

http://s814.photobucket.com/albums/zz63 ... ybaby2.jpg

http://s814.photobucket.com/albums/zz63 ... quoise.jpg

:) cute lil guys huh? and im leaning towards the grey one also :)

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 8:29 pm
by xx_sheena_xx
the grey one seems to have more personality :)

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 8:40 pm
by bali727
yeah :) i thought that too :)

maybe i should try and convince my mom some more.. haha :) i really want one :O

and $220 is 164 euros for anyone who wants to know. i might try and find a cheaper one though. its quite expensive

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 12:36 am
by smallworld
haha sheena is right bout that grey one ;) Yeah if you convert it in euros, it is a lil pricey. How much does animal freight cost within the US and what are the prices of breeders in neighboring states? Dont seem too over eager to the breeder too. He would be hard on his prices. Perhaps try a little negotiating :D or go for the good old nature intended green ones. They should be cheaper, as they're the wild color. Over here hens are also more expensive as compared to cocks.

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 4:02 pm
by bali727
Okay :)

i Found like 6 breeders(oregon, texas, california, california, utah, and texas again)

i sent them all an email, saying that i am looking for a grey, or green IRN. i asked them the price, and how much it would cost to ship.(i sent 6 so i could be sure :wink: )

ill probaly get an email back soon :)

thanks again to all :)

-Lucas

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 7:32 pm
by Shane7285
hey Lucas

in regards to the price of the grey, it depends really on your location. And yes you may be able to get one cheaper from interstate, but you may also freak the bird out by freighting it (just my opinion).

Over here for example, a good handraised bird can cost more, and I know I paid more for mine, purely because I knew it was coming from a good breeder who charged more because she put more time into raising the birds properly than some other breeders. You really shouldn't be focused on the price, find the right bird and the right breeder, and if you are happy, then what does it matter. I don't think that a high price to pay for a quality handraised IRN, but once again this is my opinion.

I got stung buying a cheap IRN in the past that was supposedly handraised, and I got what I paid for, a bird that wasn't properly handraised.

Regards

Shane

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 9:50 pm
by bali727
Good point Shane :)

I was thinking about that exact thing earlier haha :D
just forget the price and if it's cute, nice, tame, and genuinly fun to be around, you and the bird are happy, then what's the point of price :D 'Love is all you need' :D haha

thanks again for all the replies :)

-Lucas

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2010 1:56 am
by smallworld
I dont agree with Shane not because what he said is wrong but because in your case Lucas its a little bit different. Unlike the rest of us, you dont have a cage or play things or food even for the bird. And earlier you told us that you only have 350 to 400 to spare. Now if you spend more than half of that on the bird, whats going to be left for the housing and acessories?

Maybe you should not focus on getting a bird now but setting up the environment. You know get the cage and the toys first. These are not cheap things. Then after you come back from your summer vacation on the east coast, you get the bird. Who knows you might be able to pick one up from there.

Price is important. You have to find out what the prices in your area are. That breeder could be trying to cheat you and you wouldnt know it. Regardless of how good the breeding was, when it was a baby, if left by itself the bird will go back to its wild side anyway. Besides, the breeder who only knows the bird for 6 weeks or 8, doesnt play as big a role in the character of the bird as you would. I've had birds come from the crapiest of the crapiest backgrounds and be so friendly after that, that they would fly up to guests in our home and land on their shoulder for a biscuit or something. Is he DNA sexing the bird for you for that price? Do the other breeders? How many birds is he handraising at a time? Is it a hygienic environment?

The price does pay a big role if you're looking for a hand raised lil one. In which case people do tend to cheat alot. Because the definition of hand raised birds seems to vary. For instance, I know a Macaw breeder who calls it hand raised when all he does is take the birds away from their parents at 2 weeks and feed them everytime they're hungry and screaming.
Now if I compare that to the IRN breeder I know, he takes the birds out early, feeds them, talks to them, takes them all out on his sofa and plays with them.

This is your first bird too, so you should visit a few breeders, not just one. It will give you an idea on what to look for, as well as make you more familiar with pricing.

Freighting a bird is stressful but the stress can be reduced with the use of a proper carrier. I only use a freight company that specifically deals with animals and nothing else. They follow through with the bird/animal all the way and no other company is involved. Over the years, I've come to trust them, with the transport of our birds.

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2010 6:49 pm
by Shane7285
Smallworld

I can see where you are coming from, but perhaps I didn't explain myself properly. You shouldn't buy a bird based on price solely. If the bird has been handraised properly, and it costs a little bit more than one you can get from interstate, I would buy the one from the local breeder. Buying interstate also, if you only have $300 you wouldn't have the money to check out the other breeders conditions before purchasing, which can be dangerous.

Also, how many reputable breeders sell their birds for cheap? They can't because they spend the time to raise them properly, and if they didn't charge more, they would be losing money. Whilst I agree with your comment regarding the breeders influence, with ringnecks I think it is important it is done properly from the start, just look at all the posts with people who have a biting bird. Yes I know they go through bluffing, but I was able to play with mine the first day I got him home.

I also fail to see how you can compare prices where you are to where Lucas is based on the exchange rate. You are in 2 different locations, and supply and demand determines the price.

I don't want to get into an argument with you about this, but I feel it's important to have my say, and give my advice to Lucas so as not to scare him away from that cute little grey bird, solely based on your belief that its expensive, where to me over here it sounds like a good price.

Lastly, Lucas, I'm not having a dig at you, but if you only have a limited budget, have you factored in any costs for vet trips, and all the rest? I would hate to see you buy a bird then not be able to help it.

Regards

Shane

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2010 11:01 pm
by smallworld
Shane, my post was not directed to you and I was not going to argue with you.. In my first or 2nd sentence I said I am disagreeing with you not because you're wrong but because in his case, its different.

Secondly please read the whole thread before passing judgments. What gave you the idea I was comparing prices? I said in one of my posts quite clearly it depends on where you are. Prices of birds according to location varies. I should know, been with birds long enough and I've bought them from many places. Supply and demand determine the prices which is exactly why I told him to outsource and check out other breeders. Alot of what Lucas knows about birds is what we've told him on this forum. I've been reading since his firsts posts. That is the main reason why I am not advising him to blindly go out and get that grey bird, when he has never seen a rescue center or another breeder.

Tell me when there is no breeder to for a 100 miles, do you think his prices will be cheap, when he sees an eager young boy?? I dont know the price of birds over in the states but I told him to find out first before committing to the first thing he has seen.

Thirdly if everybody blindly pays a high price for a good bird thinking 'oh if I pay more I get better', that concept leads to inflation in prices, as well has no basis in regard to the 'up bringing' of the bird.

You can have your say, this is a public forum, theres nothing wrong with that. But please factor in what has been said and the consequences of what you're going to say.

I have told Lucas before to get his bird, if he really still wants one then after his trip to Connecticut. Connecticut lies on the Eastern Board of the US and Lucas is in California. He told us earlier, he wanted to take his new bird with him. Now do you think that would be any less stressful than freighting a bird from another state for maybe less than a few hours, with the proper animal transport service? I dont think so. Which is why if he is so over eager to get one soon, he can find out the prices and have them freighted to him from nearby.

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 12:44 am
by Shane7285
smallworld wrote:haha sheena is right bout that grey one ;) Yeah if you convert it in euros, it is a lil pricey. How much does animal freight cost within the US and what are the prices of breeders in neighboring states? Dont seem too over eager to the breeder too. He would be hard on his prices. Perhaps try a little negotiating :D or go for the good old nature intended green ones. They should be cheaper, as they're the wild color. Over here hens are also more expensive as compared to cocks.
if you look above you said, if you convert it to euro's it is pricey.

I never said if the price was high the bird must be good, what I'm saying is that cheap birds are generally cheap for a reason. If Lucas is happy with his choice, whats the problem if he pays a little more than what he really should have?

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 12:56 am
by smallworld
Look at what I said after that. I asked him what is the price in the neighbouring states. Look at my first post probably in this thread. I said the prices vary from place. And I explicitly said, if you convert it in Euros it is expensive. Pretty self explanatory sentence, keywords being if you convert.

How would you know what is cheap and expensive in California, if you dont live there and if you dont tell the boy to find out? I have friends from the states. I lived in Connecticut, in a little city called New Haven for 2 years. Yale University is there, perhaps you know that. I have been into birds all my life. Back then the price of a ringy, at least for the normal mutations like greys and lutinos didnt go above 150 in Connecticut. But it has been a long time. Even so, Lucas should check the prices before buying.

I am not going to advise a 15 year old boy to be oblivious to capitalism and its effects on society. We live, governed by money and we will die governed by money. Everything in this world revolves around economy. I DESPISE it! But it cant be helped, thats what its like. Telling Lucas to be sure of the cost of a ringneck is sound advise in my opinion. Better than getting a 15 year old boy to spend half his savings blindly.

What gives you the idea, that cheaper is bad and expensive is better? 'Cheap is cheap for a reason'?? Not in every case. I bought my a ringy for 25 as I have said above. I also know breeders who sell them for 50. The same green ones. The price makes no big difference as to the quality of the breeding. If the breeder cares about his offspring, he will bring it up well. If he wants to make money, he will cut your throat.

I dont think advising him to spend more than half his savings getting a bird is right. He needs to get a cage and toys. I advised him to get a cheaper bird because, its better for him to get a bird and make that bird happy with the toys and cage it needs. It is healthier for kids these days, to get hooked on pets, than sit behind the playstation or get hooked on drugs. The latter 2 have both major health risks.

Sorry, but I was really not going to argue with you over this trivial issue but you left me no choice when you directed an entire post at me. However I dont like getting hardcore on the keyboard. I have my opinions and you have yours.

Lets leave it at that, because this thread is supposed to be about Lucas.

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 2:25 am
by xx_sheena_xx
i say go with your gut
if you think the price is right and you can afford it and you love the birds looks and personality why not get it?

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 4:43 pm
by Shane7285
Smallworld

I'm not going to keep going backwards and forwards, how about we just agree to disagree.

Lucas, sorry for diverting your thread offtrack. Please let us know how you go.

Regards

Shane

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 11:45 pm
by smallworld
I believe I had suggested that as well. Its fine with me.

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 6:25 pm
by bali727
To all People that replied-

First off thanks for entertaining me with that flame war :) next thanks for all of the questions and comments about freighting/shipping/etc.

I looked around and tried to see how much animal freighting would cost. Its a little pricey :/
Ill check out some breeders or animal rescues in CT and find out how much they are. Like smallworld said," maybe you can even pick one up there" Over the summer(while im in CT) its going to be my birthday, so i may be able to get quite a bit of money from my relatives/family/etc. also my mom and dad will buy me ONE present, but its usually something better. So...maybe I can ask them to buy the cage for me? :wink: :wink:

Again just like smallworld said i only have 400 dollars to spare, as soon as i posted that comment, i'm like, ' Wait..I need to care about the money... I only have 400 haha' But shane does have a good point in what he said about just throw the price out the window...if you have a regular income of money haha :) But as for me...I don't.. :/

The breeder that has that Cute Grey baby hasn't e-mailed me back, along with the other breeders... but when(if) he does, ill try to naggle the price down :). Right now i'm looking at having maybe 500-600$ after my birthday... so i do have a lil spending money.. but until then, ill have to find a breeder(or rescue center) in CT. Then find out how much it would cost to buy the bird and so forth. MAYBE my parents can buy the cage, but its highly unlikely because they don't really like birds. They don't see how a bird and a dog can get along...STILL. Even after i showed my mom countless videos on YouTube with a dog, playing with a baby(or Adult) bird.

I still have one more question... at what age do IRNs wean. I've heard at 10 weeks, or as early as 7 weeks. So im really confused on that.

Thanks again for all the replied, and comments.
-Lucas

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 7:01 pm
by Shane7285
Hi Lucas,

Weaning depends on the individual bird. Mine weaned at 8 weeks, but I think the norm is around the 10 weeks.

Regards

Shane

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:30 pm
by xx_sheena_xx
mine weaned at 14 weeks :lol:

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:38 pm
by pinkdevil
My birds also vary with weaning ages, some earlier than others. I like to keep feeding, even if just one feed a day, until I am satisfied the young bird is eating properly with enough seed, fruit/veg and pellets etc.
So mine are usually fully weaned at around 10-12 weeks, but they possibly could be weaned earlier....if I let go of the apron strings. :wink: :lol:
After weaning for a short time, they do tend to call out for formula but when offered either refuse or take a mouthful then they go on their happy way.

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 11:08 pm
by xx_sheena_xx
:lol: thats funny pinkdevil!
mine still crys for food and shes 7 months! lol

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 11:28 pm
by smallworld
Maybe she just loves mommy too much sheena :wink:

Too bad the price of freight is too expensive Lucas but you're right you could do a quick scout in CT when u get there, if nothing here turns up :) About the cage, maybe your parents and you could put together one. That would be like a cool project, if you guys are into it and it would give you exactly what you're looking for. Dont know if it would be any cheaper because the price of wood over here has gone up the past few years.

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 12:09 am
by pinkdevil
Also you could try looking for second hand cages and give it a good cleanup. Should be cheaper than a new one.
EBay has reasonably priced cages, and bird toys or bird toy parts to make your own toys, sometimes works out cheaper.

Re: FreBreze?

Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 11:46 pm
by alyce
Hey lucas

If you do decide to make your own cage, I personally wont go with wood as a structure... IRN LUVVVVVVVVVV to chew on wood and anything else they can get their beaks around!! My mum dad and i created our aviaries at home. We used one of those metal gardening sheds ( like the ones you buy at a hardware store to put up at home) and subsituted the entire front wall for thick gauge wire that the little buggers can't chew through! Our first aviary was a little big but its better to be too big than too small with cages!

And to save you a fortune on toys... go natural. Find things in the garden like branches off trees, or pine cones (the breeder we got our first pair off gave us a bag of pine cones and they DESTROYED them!!). Just make sure that your branches aren't birdie no-nos first!