how do you introduce new toys i bought racal a new hanging toy and sanpaper perch covers and he's scared to death of both

I really don't know, I usualy just let them sit at my desk with laying in front of them and let them play with it like that...then if they show interest I"ll put it in their cage for them..

I wouldn't put the sandpaper covers on all his perches, maybe one at most. It's rough on their little feet. As for the toys, I usually just show new toys to mine and then hang them up. Jade loves new toys -- I think she's actually a budgie in a Quaker suit -- while Clyde is VERY suspicious of new toys for a day or two, and some he never likes at all. But, like the budgies, Jade will play with a new toy immediately and sometimes even take it away from me when I show it to her, instead of letting me hang it up first. MINE! MINE! MINE!

A couple of times, I've had to lay a new toy on top of Clyde's cage or nearby and let him observe its behavior for a few days before he'll let me hang it up, if he's REALLY scared of it. When he realizes it's not going to eat him, he'll let me put it in or on his cage.

Sandpaper perches can irritate their feet, especially if they are placed high in the cage, where the bird is likely to spend a lot of time. As for toy introduction, I just hang it up and wait. Some things they go for immediately, and some may take days or even weeks. Sometimes I will move things around, and a toy that wasn't used, is suddenly popular in the new spot.

Santana didn't play with his toys until I put them on the outside his cage along with a rope perch on the side if his cage. He started playing immediately! Good luck!

I usually introduce them very slowly.....Kiwi is almost 10 yrs old and he still hates NEW things to this day. I have to let him see them for a few days and then put them in his new or old cage....

I read in a parrot book (and it really works)that if you take the new toy and avoid eye contact with your fid and with a friend etc. laugh and play with the toy and pass it back and forth and act excited about it in front of your fid.. Then offer it to your fid. I have done this with all his hand toys and other toys and he will be terrified at first until I do this then he takes it. Try it .

Ester is right that if you play with it in front of them they won't be as afraid of it. If that don't work you can hang it on the outside of their cage for a couple of day so they can get use to seeing it. Funny Birds.

Tami,
Please don't use the sandpaper perch covers. They will only cause possible foot problems and some birds will eat the sand/grit off the perch cover and it causes health problems if ingested. My avian vet discourages using them. If you are wanting to use them to help keep your bird's nails from being so sharp, I recommend that you try filing your birds nails with an emory board. It can become a fun game/activity/bonding time with your bird if you introduce him/her to the emory board and build up to filing his/her nails. I always show my bird my emory board and do my nails in front of them. I then get them one of their own to use and play with (supervised). Once they are used to the emory board (seeing it & playing with it) you can start teaching them to allow you to "hold" their foot for their manicure. Take it slowly & step by step. It has worked for me & my 5 birds!

When I introduce a new toy I always "play" with it in front of them showing them how much fun I am having playing with the new toy. After a few minutes of playing with it I bring it as close to their cage as they are comfortable with (Even if they seem to be fairly comfortable I usually hang it on the outside of the cage before I put it in their cage so that I can monitor their reaction to the new toy.). I move it closer as their comfort level allows until I can hang it on the outside of the cage. The entire time I will play with the new toy every opportunity I get so they understand I like the toy & it is fun to play with. As soon as they are curious and trying to play with the toy hanging on the outside of the cage I then place it on the inside early one morning (ideally when I will be home to keep an eye on them to see that they are ok playing with the toy and that they can play safely with it. Sometimes our birds can accidently get hurt with a toy just in the way they play or it may just look safe to us but not be safe for our bird to play with it. I try to be as cautious and thoughtful as I can be to ensure my birds' safety & health.

Jess

I just sit on my sofa and pretend to play with his new toy and he comes running down his ladder very interested cos mommy has something he doesn't. He will play with it on my lap for a bit and then i'll put it in his cage for him:)

Flying feathers thank you very much I had never thought of that I had a budgie that died from too much grit ingestion thank you very much

I agree with all NO to the sandpaper perches very bad for the feet I don`t know why they would even sell them inpet shops..Grrrrrrrrrrrrr..
Yes they are scardy cats when it comes to new stuff , just leave it around for them to get use to , seems they are all the same in this area..