Easy Pinecone Forager

This pinecone forager that I recently made for our Meyers Parrot "Baby" was a hit!  And it was super easy to put together. 

Here are the steps:

• Soak a pinecone in a glass of water until it closes up (approx. 15 min). 
• Remove it from the water and dab it dry so it's not dripping.  
• Gather small pieces of veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds (dried or fresh).
• Pull apart the "scales" and stuff the food pieces into the pinecone. 

Other tips:

If you gathered your pinecones:

If you're using pinecones from outside (versus a bird supply store), it could have bacteria, bugs and other stuff on it that you'll want to get rid of before giving it to your bird.  Shake them out before bringing them inside.  Then bake on a lined cookie sheet at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for about 45 minutes.  Be sure any pinecones you use are pesticide free and choose ones that aren't overly wet or covered in moss.  You can also soak the pinecone before you bake them in a bowl of warm water and 1/2 cup of vinegar if you wish.

If your bird is new to foraging:

If your bird is new to foraging, or is hesitant to check out new things, use larger pieces of food that they can clearly see from a distance.  You can also use dried foods, as they'll last longer in the cage before spoiling. 

To add some difficulty to this foraging toy:

If your bird is familiar with foraging, use smaller pieces that will be more hidden within the "scales". 

 Let us know if you give this a try! 

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