Brief description: A variety of soft, sticky treats can be placed in each layer of the slow feeder (peanut butter, mashed banana, pudding, etc), then the layers are stacked and can be hung outside the caging using carabiners. The chimpanzees use their fingers or tools to retrieve the treats and spin the puzzle to access lower layers.
Materials: Slow feeder, chain, bolts, washers, lock nuts, and firehose if desired to cover the chain.
Tools needed to create the device: drill, 1/4″ drill bit, ratchet wrench, socket wrench
Assembly instructions: Take apart each slow feeder, and cut off the protrusions on the center plastic tube regularly used to hold the puzzle together. Drill a hole in center of the top layer (green layer) then place your eye bolt through the plastic tube with the eye at the bottom of the tube. Use a washer and locking nut to attach the end of the eye bolt to the top of the green layer through the hole you drilled. Use a drill (or other tool) to create slits on either side of the holes in the center of the lower layers (purple and blue) to allow the eye bolt to pass through them easily. Use a lock (or carabiner if desired) through the eye bolt to secure the layers together when preparing the puzzle for use. Drill a hole in lowest layer (blue) and use a bolt, washers, and a locking nut to attach a length of chain to the puzzle to allow it to be hung on the caging. Cut a section of firehose if desired to cover the exposed chain.
How to use: Insert/smear treats in several compartments of each layer of the puzzle. We often use peanut butter on the top layer because it is sticky and the chimps have to work harder to get it all out even though this is the easiest layer to access. Once you’ve added treats to each layer, assemble the puzzles and secure together with a lock or carabiner through the eyebolt. Hang on the outside of the caging.
Price: ~$30 per spinning slow feeder
