Hi everyone! I still don't know which bird I want to get, but I do know that before I get a bird, I want to make a playgym with PVC. My question is about the size. The smallest bird that we would get is a budgie, and the largest would be a GCC or Poicephalus (not a Jardine's, though). Could I get away with using the same size PVC to fit the parrot, considering the different sizes? Oh, and what do you suggest for using as a tray on the bottom, and how do you attatch the PVC to it? Thankfully, my dad knows much more than I do about building and stuff, and he's agreed to help me, or else I would be asking a lot more questions!

I use 1/2 inch, and it works great. I think that'll be alright for any of those birds, and I also think it's the smallest size you can typically get anyway. Just make sure you wrap something around it for grip. I use vet wrap. You can find it at most petstores, but it comes in higher quantities at a large animal store. I got mine at a horse tack and trailer store, at it was something like $2 per roll. Not sure how much is on the roll. I've heard that you can also use sandpaper to rough it up too.

As far as trays go, I haven't gotten that technical yet with my creations. Mostly, I just have the stand sitting on top of some sort of tray.

Hopefully others will be along shortly!

For the tray on the bottom.... I use a piece of laminated board like for a pre-made shelf unit. You can get them at any box store (Lowes, Home Depot, Menards) It works well because you can just wipe the poop off with a damp cloth. You can also screw things into it to hold the PVC down.
Have fun!

You can also wrap the 1/2" PVC with rope.

Thanks for the info

Yesterday we went and got the PVC, and the smallest they had (with the right fittings) was 1/2 inch, so from what I understand now that should work fine. I decided to do away with permanently attatching the PVC to a tray, but instead to have a designated one to put under it wherever it happens to be. I think I'll use that laminated board. Oh, and I think my dad was having fun with the ideas, because he compared building it to playing with legos: endless possibilities! Maybe today we'll cut it and put it together. I still have to get vet wrap, I thought my dad might have some because of our family dog boarding and training business, but there's no way we have enough. I'll find some!

Once it's done I'll post pictures! ^__^

Sounds like you two are going to have fun building a nice playstand! We used 1/2" too (but personally I didn't like using vet wrap, Casey just shreds it I preferred when I just sanded the PVC a lot to create a really good grip, but maybe you're new bird won't be a big chewer...) If you visit this thread there are two links in there that have a lot of great ideas when it comes to building PVC playstands, so it might help with your design ideas.

Happy Building!

Thanks for the link! I like those designs! Yeah, I like doing this stuff with my dad. If whatever bird we get does end up constantly shredding the vet wrap, I'll take your advice and sand it.

One thing about the vet wrap is that when it gets wet it instantly gets sticky. Also, if it's left there for a long time, it'll get sticky too. Make sure you replace it every now and then. Just feel it to figure out when, if it's not too dirty from the bird.

Thanks ^__^ I'll be sure to get extra for future re-wrappings!

My dad and I cut it and put it together, it took only about 15 minutes total! I can't believe that my other option to get one of these would be to buy one for $50 or more! As soon as I get it wrapped, I'll put up some pictures.

Yes, please do! We love pictures!

Hello everyone! Sorry for not posting sooner, I have been sick the last few weeks, but now I'm fine (pretty much XD). Here is the completed stand! The store we got the vet wrap from didn't have blue like I wanted, so I went with black.





Yeah, they're dark, sorry. I tried making it lighter but for some reason it isn't showing up. And they're sideways, heh If you can't see it, it's basically a T on a T on a T, two facing one way and the middle one facing the opposite way.

you guys did a great job! can't wait to see the follow up pics with the new fid on it!!