| Hanging
Gym verses Floor Gym. I offer 2 distinct play gym designs, Floor Gyms and Hanging Gyms.   Floor
gyms use an upper and lower tray, and these are
mounted on casters, so they can easily be moved. The tray in the middle design prevents your bird from climbing down. The trays of these gyms are all hand made by me, and expensive to build, making my stationary gyms more expensive
then my Hanging Gyms. However, these trays are designed to last almost forever, and the branches are replaceable.  Hanging Gyms have no lower trays.
The branch design has perches  in
a 360 degree spiral from top to bottom. Then, the branch assembly hangs from an Aluminum Arch and hanger. Hanging Gyms allow your bird to be up high, where they like to be. I even add a perch to the arch called the CROWS NEST. They can stand up there and literally be king of the hill. Plus, they can climb up the aluminum arch and slide down, which is fun as well. The built in hanger serves two purposes. First, it prevents your bird from reaching the ceiling so it protects your ceiling. However, there's an even more important reason for a built in hanger, you can take the gym down without using a ladder, just lift the gym off the hook and take it down. So, which is better for you and your bird? That depends on what you're looking for. However, one thing to realize from the beginning. Birds are messy, period. I don't care what kind of Play Gym you buy, dealing with bird mess is a part of having a bird. The benefits of the right play gym for your bird make dealing with the mess worth the effort. My floor gyms have trays, and those trays will catch about 90% of the mess. However, if your bird stands on the top branch, about 22" above the tray, and poops at an angle, they will miss the tray. So, the option is to make the trays bigger, or the branches smaller. I build these for your bird, and I choose to provide your bird with as much usable perch space as possible, and we as parrot owners deal with the mess. Also, parrots are smart. One of the advantages of Stationary gyms is the upper tray. Many birds love to forage in the tray, and quickly realize that if they poop off the Aluminum border, they can keep the tray clean. So, your going to need something on the floor under your gym, regardless of whether you buy a stationary or hanging gym. What you use depends on the type of floor you have. For Carpet, Chair Mats or plastic runners work great. They can be washed as needed. For Hardwood floors, again, plastic runners work great. But, there are many other options for either gym types. How about indoor, outdoor carpet, Astroturf for example. Regardless of which gym you choose, you're going to need something. If you use your imagination, this isn't a difficult problem to deal with.  You could buy a gym like this, after all, it has a skirt and removable tray. And, guess what, it will be relatively clean. Why, your bird won't like it,
won't t use it, so what good is it. So, which gym type is right for you and your bird? Floor Gyms. Floor gyms are designed and built to be a beautiful piece of parrot furniture. They will be the last gym you'll ever buy, remember, the branch assembly can be replaced. There more expensive then my Hanging gyms, but as with any investment, you accrue benefits as time goes by. Your parrot will have a blast on his gym, and the tray in the middle means he can't climb down. With some Play Gym training, your bird will learn to STAY THERE, and allow you to leave him there for extended periods of time. Floor gyms are on casters and can also be moved as needed. They don't get the kind of movement a Hanging Gym gets, however, my floor gyms are a beautiful addition to your home. The tray will catch about 90% of the mess. I say 90% because a bird on a gym is going to be messy. I could add a foot to the tray size, and your bird can still stand on the Aluminum border and poop on the floor. Hanging Gyms. For your bird, the freedom of a hanging gym is the closest they will ever get to being a free bird, in a tree. Initially, the movement of a Hanging Gym can be a little scary. So, as with standing Play Gyms, do some training. Initially, hang it next to his cage, and attach the bottom perch to his cage using a quik link. That will make the HG more stationary. Now, I call these GYMS for a reason. As your bird GETS IN SHAPE, he will begin to climb all over his gym, and perch without gripping. His feet will feel better, he will feel better, and become more and more active. In a week, or two, remove the attachment to his cage. Again, initially, he'll be a little nervous, but quickly get the hang of the movement and learn to love the movement. Once he feels comfortable with the movement of his Hanging gym, your good to go. At this point, you have complete freedom and can move the gym anywhere there's a hook. Hanging gyms have no tray. That means you need to control the mess. If you visit my Hanging Gyms page, I recommend using a Hot Water Heater Pan. These costs less then $10.00, and available at Home Depot, or better yet, your local Plumbing Supply distributor. Go where the professional plumbers go. These pans go on the floor, and work great. However, if you have dogs or cats, they can be messy for them. I also have clients who hang them above house plants, great fertilizer. So, Hanging verses floor gyms? Lets cut to the chase. If your most concerned with mess and appearance, go with a floor gym. However, if you leave it up to your bird, they will choose a Hanging Gym almost every time. In fact, most of the clients who have both tell me their birds prefer the Hanging Gyms. Amazons, Cockatoos and Macaws go NUTS on Hanging gyms. I have Cockatoo clients tell me their birds get them swinging so high, they almost hit the ceiling. Amazons, by nature think nothing of hanging by one toe nail, upside down, and totally acting crazy. Here are basic recommendations. Full sized Macaws, Hanging Gyms, mainly to protect their tails. Cockatoos LOVE Hanging Gyms and will get them swinging so high, they almost hit the ceiling. Greys, Amazons, Eclectus, Meyers, Capes, Pionus, either one is fine. Caiques love to play in the trays of my gyms, so floor gyms are my recommendation for them. Conures, Quakers, and other small parrots, floor gyms. Making tiny Hanging Gyms aren't feasible Floor Gyms allow foraging. If you parrot likes to or is a known forager, The Floor gym is right for your bird. Both floor or Hanging Gyms are easily moved as needed. If you need to take your gym up and down stairs, go with the Hanging gym. For those of you with Bird Rooms, Hanging gyms are fantastic. Hang one or several and your birds will be in birdy heaven. Free Flighted birds. For those of you with free Flighted birds, again, Hanging gyms are just like a real tree, and a favorite. High ceiling homes. These can be tricky. I can extend the PVC hanger somewhat, however, that's only effective to a point. If your ceilings are over 12', go with a floor gym. And, we're you to ask my opinion, with the exceptions noted above, I would tell you I prefer Hanging Gyms too. As I describe them on my Hanging Gyms page, I do consider them the next evolution of my Play Gym concept. And, for the price of a floor gym, you can buy 2 or even 3 Hanging Gyms, place them around your home, and you'll have one HAPPY bird. That's the idea. Wayne |