Bird toys?

[jakeandlexie]

Hiya! I have a two year old ferret. I also have five birds. I was wondering if the toys that are wood strung on SS chain and with a SS bell would be alright for the ferret? Thanks for any repies!

[sherrylynne]

Unless they can manage to chew off chunks, it should be alright. I'm not overly familiar with bird toys however. I just use some of the parrot puzzle toys for treats.

[suds]

if they are not chewers it can be fun toys for them . mine love to try and steal the bells off of them just keep a close eye on them to make sure there not chewing chunks off and get potental blockages

[jakeandlexie]

Thank you both! I appreciate the replies! Lexie, actually is showing no interest in the toy. I don't know why but i seems like she doesn't wanna play with anything. Outside the cage she just runs around and gets into stuff for like 20 mins sometimes longer and then goes back and sleeps. I don't why but it has me concerned. Ah well, maybe I just haven't found the right toy yet. I'll move onto the next one.

[sherrylynne]

I can't remember, is Lexie deaf? I know my deaf ferrets aren't nearly as interested in toys as my hearing ferrets. I find I have to really work some days to engage them in play, then they have a blast. If I don't do this, they will go to sleep pretty quickly because they're bored.

[jakeandlexie]

No, lexie is not deaf. Thats how I call her lol. I make a squeky noise with my lips and she comes running everytime. lol. mayb e if I start hiding treats in the tunnels and stuff she might get more into it? Oh, and another thing, I have one of those HUGE plastic balls for ferrets like you buy for hamsters and rats and stuff, well, lexie really doesn't use it AT ALL! She gets in it and acts like shes diggin. I don't think she knows to stand and walk. She lays down and moves her front paws but not her back ones lol. Any oppinions as to why that could be?

[sherrylynne]

That would be because the natural arch to a ferret's back bows outwards. With those...balls, they force the arch to bow inwards. It's a completely unnatural position for them to be in, and could potentially cause damage. Since she can hear, she's probably just bored with playing by herself. She's past the kit stage where simply exploring can take up a lot of time, and simply needs more interactive play.
Not sure if this is something you would be in a position to do, but have you considered checking out the local shelters, and getting her a buddy her own age?

[jakeandlexie]

Oh. I never thought about that arch before. That makes a lot of sense. Thanks for clearing that up lol. As for the buddy, I am actually seriously considering it. My mom however doesn't like the idea at all. I really really wish she would let me. Another down side is, I don't think there are any actual small animal shelters in the area. I wish there were but there is not. So that means, I would have to buy from the only local petshop, petand, and it would cost me around 100 dolars. My mom is paying for everything right now and its her house so I won't be able to get another ferret until I talk her into it.

[sherrylynne]

Good point. If you like, here's the address for SOS(support our shelters).
www.supportourshelters.org/
They'd be able to tell you if there's one in your area. For later, I mean! In the interim, I'd suggest just interacting with her a lot. When you get her out of the cage, cuddle for a minute or two. Pick her up when she's asleep outside of the cage. Play towel drags, games of chase. Tossing a ball down the hall. Tummy tickles. Cat teasers. Anything where you can engage her in playing will help to alleviate her boredom.

[jakeandlexie]

I tried the towel thing and she didn't seem to interested. I always, well when I can, hold her while shes sleeping. I htink its good for bonding. SHe loves tummy tickles. I'll have to go buy a few cat teasers. THanks for the link! I will deinfinetly check it out. THanks a lot for the help! You've been very helpful and informative ever since I joined the site. Thanks!

[suds]

they love the simplest of things alot more then toys my guys have way more fun playing in the boxes that there stuff comes in then the toy most times . they also love bags of any kind just make sure you cut the handles if they have any so they dont get caught and can choke from it . I save all boxes here and change them out all the time cerial boxes with the empty plastic bag are a big hit because of the new smells in them . I hide there treats in tunnels . boxes and a few places i know they like to explore to give them incetive to check everything out each day i never hide the treats in the same place . they get bored quickly especaily when alone so the trick is to change things daily . let them explore a differnt room once in a while . the towel game is fun once they get used to you just drag it on the floor in front of her lightly let the end of the towel rub against her . Use your imagination there is probly lots of things around your house you can use to play games with instead of buying expensive toys . My 2 are caged when I am not home or sleeping other wise they have free run of my bedroom or should i say there room once in while we will play the great escape game I put the dog out side and close off area's in the house that they can never go to then I crack the bedroom door open and when one of them notice it and they open it enough to escape the room its awesome to see they run down the hallway and stairs dooking and danceing thinking they tricked me and they have a blast exploring everything in all the new spaces . Use your imagination and keep interacting with her and adventually you will find things thats fun for her and you.

[jakeandlexie]

Thanks for the reply suds! She does seem to like boxes lol. I htought about saving a bunch of boxes and cutting holes in them so I could connect them all together and it would be a great thing for them to play in. I also thought about building shelves all around my room that lead up from th floor and put railings and stuff up there but we rent so thats a no no lol. I'll try the ereal box thing. Thanks!