Connie

Welcome to our family.

I think I got more of them from Dollar Tree and Wal-Mart in the States, I'm from Canada, and the majority of stuff here is from Dollarama and Dollar Giant. If you are near a boarder, it's worth a travel! judygram wrote:

This is me.<br><br>Post edited by: Connie, at: 2007/07/31 19:49

Please don't get paranoid, and start removing all toys with sisal rope. I think this is a very very small number of birds that it happens to, but just be aware of it. Always watch your birds with new toys, and be sure they are not eating parts they shouldn't. I have sisal in both my birds cages, and will continue to do so. I do however prefer to buy, colour and make my own toys with sisal rope. It is one of the safer materials to use, as long as it is not eaten. When colouring your rope with food dye, always be sure the rope has dried before giving it to your bird.

Unfortunately, yes it is true. There was a parrot in our club that died from this. Here is an article and link, where you read up on it. http://www.parrotparrot.com/birdhealth/alerts.htm

Check out this link, for ideas on making safe/cheap toys for your family members. http://www.greyforums.net/component/option,com_joomlaboard/Itemid,27/func,view/catid,5/id,23317/

Talon wrote: Here ya go guys, some of the things I use to make toys, I will assemble some of them and post in the future! http://www.greyforums.net/component/option,com_joomlaboard/Itemid,27/func,view/catid,5/id,23317/

Spanky likes to take the shoe apart, the other ones he usually just chews for a minute or two then drops on the floor. over and over and over. lol

THIS ONE NEVER HAD A CHANCE! lol:P<br><br>Post edited by: Connie, at: 2007/07/31 12:02

Darla, my shy little girl, basically stole the toothbrushes from Spanky. She kept going to his cage to get them so I just moved them for her. Spanky is busy with other stuff now anyway. Which reminds me, you should change toys every month, even just rearranging them makes a difference. My kids get a new one every week, or when one is retired. When introducing a new toy, I usually play with it until the bird comes to investigate. I will even pull away slightly when they want it, makes the new toy irresistable. I also pretend to taste it, and make excited noises, it perks their interest. OK, now I sound CRAZY! lol :silly: New toys should be introduced to the cage in the morning, this keeps your bird from night scares when the lights are out!<br><br>Post edited by: Connie, at: 2007/07/31 11:56

Spanky getting a cashew from a cupcake paper. Sometimes I don't put anything in them, keeps him busy and guessing. These papers also come in differnet colors, for those picky birds who prefer one to another.<br><br>Post edited by: Connie, at: 2007/07/31 11:48

Some used toys. Abacus, wood or plastic. Leave as is, or take apart and use beads etc. cheaper than buying parts in hardware stores. Rolls of paper I bought today at thrift store.<br><br>Post edited by: Connie, at: 2007/07/31 11:46

Popsicle sticks, tongue depressors, wood spoons. They can be coloured, drilled and strung. Cotton rope dog chew with food colouring. Willow wreaths are a great starting base for toys, perches or swings. Grape vine wreath or rings... BE SURE there is NO wire holding it together! and no varnish finish on them!<br><br>Post edited by: Connie, at: 2007/07/31 12:01

All dollar store items! Cotton rope dog toy, usually comes with a tennis ball on it but I've already removed them and thrown away. Party straws, great texture toy. Cut in half as foot toy, or cut into 1-2" pieces for stringing. Wood letters, plastic curlers, wood wheels/knobs. Golf balls. (The white one in the bottom left, is used... be careful that the gap from hole to hole doesn't create a safety hazzard.) Golf balls are 4+ dollars in pet stores... $2 at walmart etc. especially in off season.<br><br>Post edited by: Connie, at: 2007/07/31 11:42

Cotton rope dog toys from dollar store. Hemp rope (strong, but dangerous to some birds, Spanky almost lost a toe in a loop I had made, thank GOD I was watching him play. First week mistake:blush: ) Wood blocks, drill and string. Corn husk trivet, great for shredding. Toothbrushes, a favorite among most CAG's. Picture at bottom of post. Dollar store item. Make sure the bristles are NOT stapled in.<br><br>Post edited by: Connie, at: 2007/07/31 11:32

Loofah pieces, cookie cutters, wood beads, plastic shapes from kids candy. Make sure they are clean of candy. Great for different textures! BABY toys are great, rattles, teething rings etc.<br><br>Post edited by: Connie, at: 2007/07/31 11:25

Nickel plated chain, why pay tens and hundreds of dollars for chain from a parrot toy site, when you can use dog collars and leashes from the DOLLAR STORE??? Cut off the nylon, and use proper hardware for hanging. BE SURE THE TOY MADE WITH THIS, IS TOE SAFE! Do not use large link chain with small birds.<br><br>Post edited by: Connie, at: 2007/07/31 11:18

Mopheads are great for pieces of COTTON for attaching beads, wood, etc. to wreaths or large wood shapes.<br><br>Post edited by: Connie, at: 2007/07/31 11:13

Rawhide shoes are Spanky's fav. Food coloured wood beads, sticks, pegs. Candle holders. VEGGIE tanned leather, NEVER use dyed leather. Cut into strips and tie, cut shapes, make holes and thread cotton rope or wood sticks through.<br><br>Post edited by: Connie, at: 2007/07/31 11:21

Ok people, here are some of the materials I use to make toys for my SPOILED babies. There is a quarter in every picture, so you can get an idea of the sizes. Most of the items were purchased at the dollar stores in Canada and the U.S. Some from ebay, and a couple from parrot toy sites. PLEASE keep your birds safety in mind when purchasing and making ANY toys! Can they catch a toe/wing/head anywhere in the toy? Is there anything toxic? If you are unsure DO NOT BUY IT, ask about product first. If there is a shine to wood/vine products, it probably has a varnish on it. ALWAYS watch your bird with any new toys. Be sure he/she is not ingesting any part of the toy. Sisal rope is one that accidentally gets eaten by some birds, and fills the crop of slow/undigestable fibers, resulting in death! SAFETY, SAFETY SAFETY! Party Favours, wood bead necklaces, spining wheels, plastic anchors, and cupcake papers... add seeds, nuts, toy, and twist closed. Makes a great foot toy, and allows your bird to feel as if it's foraging. Doing this, is great for feather pluckers. Post edited by: Connie, at: 2007/07/31 11:04<br><br>Post edited by: Connie, at: 2007/07/31 11:33

Same for me, Once I found this site, it was a matter of minutes! The problem was finding one worth joining. With such a great site, and so much information available...I think some of my previous ideas might bring tons more! I've told everyone I know who has birds about this site and attached a link of course. I know one of them joined. I also sent the link to the head of my parrot club, and I think she passed it on to all members. Maybe I can get her to put it in the montly newsletter also. loviechick wrote:

I have just a couple ideas/questions. I have Ultra Highspeed, yet it seems to take a long time for things to load. I'm not sure if this is a server problem or what? I found this site by accident, not even really sure where I was when I found it. I think you should add more keywords to your meta tags, upload your site to more sites... msn, google, alta vista etc. Last, when I found this site I was looking for information on nutrition. You have that tag, but the information is spread out in the forums. Maybe they could be linked or copied under the right areas? Just a couple ideas. All in all though... GREAT SITE! Connie Number6 wrote: