I am finally getting around to building a bird gym, and I want to get some eye hooks to put in so I can hang my toys from them. I could only find Zinc coated (not safe) or brass (I am assuming, coated), is Brass safe for birds? Any other suggestions on how to attach toys to gym?

Also, how do you attach those food dishes to it? And where can you get those?

Carolyn:-)

From what I understand brass is NOT safe. I believe it's an alloy of copper and zinc, both of which are poisonous to birds. I would only use Stainless Steel ones. We made a playstand (it's not really finished yet) but we just bought some stainless steel eye hooks at the hardware store... they come in a bunch of different sizes. They just screwed into the PVC... not sure what your stand is made out of?

They look kind of like these but are SS.
Click to view attachment

As for the food dishes, we haven't got that far yet. But I'm still trying to figure that one out too!

Good luck! Hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

I just looked at Parrotdise Perch, and they sell them online. I may have to order it from them. But heh, I was thinking of buying an aviator harness anyways.

My gym will be made of wooden dowels.

Just might not get it right away...I suppose I could just tie the toys on the dowels until then...

Carolyn:-)

we just made a playstand this week as well. We had a hard time finding stainless hooks but finally did at our local Home Depot. They only had one size though in st/st.
And I too have not figured out a way to attach food cups....I am hoping someone will post some pics!

You can just drill some holes into the wood for where you want the food cups to go. That's what Ron did with the stands he made for his birds. Then you attach those food cups with the wire handles and they fit right in.

This is how I attached the food cups, as Carrie said.

Click to view attachment

I admit I had trouble finding the eye hooks too. I think I went with the brass anyway. The fids don't seem the least bit interested in the hooks, so no harm no foul. Chrome plated would probably work just as well.

Sorry, that picture is too small. If you scroll down page one of the "Uncle Zippy's Old Fashioned Bird Trees" thread you find a better picture in post #10.

There are some really good websites online where you can order stainless steel part. Our local Lowe's however has a rather extensive section of stainless steel screws, nuts, bolts, hooks...etc. They even have SS quick links and other clips. I don't know if there is a Lowe's anywhere near you, or even if Lowe's has many locations in other states, but check them out if there is one!