Prevue Pet Products Patio Sundeck Small

> I purchased the hanging platform intending to use it inside my bird cages for large food items, that I don't want to "pollute" their food dishes with. For example: rounds of corn on the cob, chunks of apple (pear, peach, etc), chick peas, orange slices, slices of avocado, tangerine sections, pieces of hotdog, etc. But the distance between the bars is much too large -- these foods just fall through. My ultimate solution was to use 12" x 18" oven baking/cooling racks/grids held in place by wire ties to create platforms the depth of the cage--- the grids work VERY well. The platforms also hold cardboard boxes which are my parrot's favorite "chew toys" / "nests". > I was concerned about a build up on the grids from the foods I place there. But, after two months, I don't see any build up. The best solution if you see a build up, would be to wipe down the feeding area of the grid with peroxide occasionally. Peroxide is non toxic and leaves no residue. > I thought that a hanging platform might work to hold a "swimming pool". But no, there is no way to attach the deep dishes/bowls that I use as "swimming pools" --- you need a platform with a raised edge . As it happens, Prevue has such a corner platform with a raised edge --- but that platform is much more expensive. Moreover, I use terra cotta plant saucers for "swimming pools" --- which have the advantage of having a thick rough edge which birdy feet can grip and (when filled with water) being too heavy for my parrots to dump. The hanging platforms are not strong enough for this purpose, but the Pervue corner platforms are strong enough. > It is significant that these hanging platforms just hang --- when I first placed these inside the cages, my parrots managed to "unhang" them within about 10 seconds. If I had kept them inside I'd have to use wire ties to secure them. > However, I did find a good use for the hanging platforms, OUTSIDE the cages. I hang them below the food and water cage doors to use as work platforms when changing the food or water. ASIDE -- speaking of the large food items I place on the platforms: > CORN ON THE COB ROUNDS -- my parrots really love these. Start with an ear of fresh corn. To avoid crushing the kernels, DO NOT remove the husk. Slice the ear into 1/2" slices (or "rounds"). Wash off the husk, silk, etc. The rounds keep for about a week in a container in the frig if you THOROUGHLY wash and dry them before you put them away. On very tough ears, you may need to use a cleaver and hammer to cut the slices. > CHICK PEAS (cooked) Chick peas (aka garbonzos) provide the protein and carbohydrates birds that need without the excess oil of nuts and seeds. > HOT DOGS? Yes, my parrots love them -- they cluck and chortle like chickens they are so happy. Parrots need protein (feathers are 90% protein), and in the wild, they eat insects and any other protein. I don't feed them hot dogs often. But perhaps three times a year, when I have a hotdog, I cut off a 1 1/2" piece and cut that into 1/4" thick slices, and give a slice to my parrots every other day for as long as they last (about 3 days). The hotdog slices keep for about a week in the frig. Obviously premium brands are better for both you and your birds. > EGGS? Don't want to give your parrots hotdog? Well-cooked chicken is good. In the wild ALL birds eat broken eggs, or even raid neighbor's nests for eggs). I break an egg into a small (oiled) pyrex glass storage dish, break the yoke, lightly stir, and nuke it in the microwave for 30 seconds plus (until it is solid). When cool I slice the cooked egg into 8 sections, like a pizza. Each bird gets a slice of "birdy quiche" every other day until they run out (in about a week). The container I cook the egg in serves for storage in the frig. Two or three weeks later, I cook another birdy quiche. Birdy quiche is better than just pieces of scrambled eggs, because it is more solid --- the birds can pick up the pieces and hold it while they eat. Birdy quiche is best well cooked --- my birds don't like sticky stuff on their feet. My parrots love the egg as much as hotdogs --- but both are special treats.