DIY PVC Bird Gym
Build a gym for your birds! Cut lengths of PVC and use PVC connectors to make two rectangular base pieces. Use PVC connectors around the frame to attach column posts and construct a fun design of perch rails. Make a winding perch staircase up a post column and hang a ladder or net between posts. Attach feed bowls and hang other toys, cover the perches with veterinary wraps or natural rope and consider covering the floor with a painter’s tarp, foraging mat or area rug on the floor.
Hi. Can you tell me what length you cut your PVC base pieces and the length of your columns, and what length of the rest to make your bird gym? How tall was it when you finished? Can you also tell me how many T and corners that you used? I have 9 birds that would love this. I really like your design.
Thanks,
Carol
Carol,
You can make this any height or width that you prefer! I’d start with the rectangle at the base of the right section; determine what size rectangle will fit well in the space you have available, and keep building from there. It’s sort of like a life-size building toy made of PVC. There is a connector at every joint, but there are lots of different connectors you could choose from: T-shaped connectors, L-shaped, V-shaped, etc, depending on what you want to make. You can always take it apart and modify it if you want as well, or build it in stages. Best of luck!
Fantastic designs! I’m in the middle of my own play gym at the moment and have to admit that you’re very creative in comparison. =)
What material did you use for grips on the PVC? I had been using sisal rope, but I’m always interested in hearing other methods.
Were the ladders homemade as well or were those purchased?
Brittany,
The colorful grips are veterinary wrap bandages. You can order them online or possibly pick some up from your local vet. Some of the ladders look like they’re store-bought, but others could be made. Here is a ladder that you can make with rope and PVC: PVC Bird Ladder. Good luck!
Hi.
How did you attach the rope perch at the top left? Also, if you wrap with sisal rope, what do you attach the rope with?
Thanks.
Barb,
The rope at the top left looks like it is a free-standing rope (no PVC inside). To make that, use the method in the DIY Spiral Rope Perch. Basically, you thread a wire through the rope by unfolding a small area of the rope and wrapping it around the wire, and repeating that for the length of the rope. Then, either end of the wire can be wrapped around the PVC stand, or if you drill two holes into the PVC end cap on that spot, you can ‘tie’ the wire through the holes.
If you want to wrap the PVC with sisal rope instead of veterinary wraps, there are two ways that could work. For the first, you wipe the PVC pipe with nontoxic glue, then wrap the rope tightly around the pipe. Here is more info on that method: DIY Cat Scratching Post Repair. For the other, you drill a hole in the pipe, attach one end of the rope in place on the pipe with a screw, wrap the rope tightly around the pipe, then attach the other end with a screw as well. Here is more info on that method: DIY Scratching Post Perch. Alternatively, rather than using a screw to hold the rope end in place, you could make two holes in the pipe and knot the rope through the holes.
Good luck!