A very overlooked part of the cage is the floor. If we include the cage floor in enrichment activities, we open up a whole array of untapped opportunities. A floor covered in clean paper &/or other safe substrate as opposed to an open metal grill allows the Bird to get their feet flat, walk, dig & engage in other ground foraging behaviors. One way we can really encourage these natural foraging instincts is to make floor foraging boxes for the Birds to explore.
Selecting a good chunky cardboard box (remove all staples, glue, stickers & tape) encourages Birds to chew & destroy, primal instincts of our Birds that often get punished because, without interesting things to channel these instincts, they chew our personal items. Boxes can then either be left open, exposing an exciting filling that encourages digging & searching, or can be closed so the Bird must chew into the glorious & exciting interior. Healthy treats, foot toys & other fun materials can be hidden for the Bird to discover.
We can also really put focus on positive sensory input by having a variety of pleasing textures for the Birds to feel under foot, shred & chew. For example, place an open box filled with shredded paper on the enclosure floor & surround it with barley straw, safe pebbles, Bird sand or smooth sheets of newspaper to keep their sensory system engaged. When we provide foraging boxes, we aren’t simply giving them something to keep them quiet or giving a simple toy, we are providing them with an activity that has multiple benefits for the Bird’s mental & physical wellbeing.
A Bird able to engage in their natural instincts is less frustrated, a content Bird is also a well behaved one. If they have activities that fulfill their deep instincts to chew, they then won’t make holes in your wall, door frame, carpet or chair. Sparking their curiosity not only keeps them occupied when you are busy, but it helps to stimulate their active minds & channel their boundless energy into an activity with a positive outcome. Birds who receive positive attention (being praised for solving an activity) or positive outcomes (having fun, finding treats, not being screamed at for chewing) are more likely to behave in positive ways & with less unfulfilled instincts & frustration, are less likely to misbehave.
Engaging in activities like this also stops them sitting still on a single perch for hours on end, thus exercising their muscles & encouraging them to build good co-ordination & balance skills. Birds living sedentary lifestyles is a significant contributing factor in the development of health issues. Chewing keeps jaw muscles toned & also prevents overgrown beaks. Once you start setting up foraging activities that feature boxes, you will start to really get an idea of what your Bird likes most. The ideas will really start to flow & you will have as much fun setting the activities up as they do playing with them!
Remember that your Bird may not play with new activities at first, especially if they are old or have had little sensory stimulation before, but keep trying. Most Birds, when we hit on the right activity for them, will come around to the idea & start to have fun. It may take time, but don’t give up- just like feeding them good food, we have to persevere with the things that will help their health.