Notsu Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Hi all! Not sure if this is the right spot for this or not so if it needs moved please do! Can anyone please help me out? I remember buying white pine by the box for my girl Notsu yrs ago. Does anyone know where I can purchase premade sizes and dyed pieces of this wood for toy making? Or any kind of safe wood for making toys? I would prefer to get them from someone that makes them then from an pet store or one of the catalog bird suppliers, but will if I have no other option! Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmaholm Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Actually our vet recommended to buy white pine from a lumber store or home improvement store, if you buy some "higher quality" interior trim white pine it shouldn't be treaded(make sure you ask though just to be 100% sure) and here it runs about $12 for a 1"x4"x10' piece, that's a lot of wood for our bids for $12. He suggested making some blocks and drilling small holes and filling them with peanut butter to allow the birds to tear the wood apart foraging for the food inside. As for pre-cut and dyed I'm not sure. I personally wouldn't trust anything from a craft store just because I wouldn't know 100% what's in it. You may have to go through a bird supplier or on the net to get what you're really looking for. I'm sure if anyone else knows more information than I do(which I'm sure someone does ) they'll chime in. Hope this helps! -Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notsu Posted September 10, 2008 Author Share Posted September 10, 2008 Thanks Patrick for the tip! Something else I can do to keep her busy. I never thought about that! I can just remember buying precut and dyed pieces from a lady that made them and then sold them over the net. Good prices and really good wood! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darth_mint Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Speaking of dyes, is it ok if I use food colouring to dye the wood myself? I'm thinking of the kind of liquid food colouring that comes in little glass bottles at the supermarts, and it's also available in powder form. Which is safer? All I know is that the red powder dye is cochineal, which I read somewhere is made from bugs (eew!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmaholm Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 I would think that food grade dye would be ok. Anyone else want to chime in here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nims Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Food colouring is fine, most toys are coloured with food dye (I know cos I wash mine and it runs! :blink: ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzzique Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 I dye Alex's toys myself. I use the food grade dye. I use both the liquid and gel. Though orange is a bit odd for some reason. I found using packets of kool-aid (flavored drink mix for kids) works well for dyeing as well! Once the pieces get to the color that I want I then bake them in the oven at 350 for about 10 minutes. It helps dry them out faster and sets the dye a bit better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaxtersMom Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 I've been thinking about making my own toys for my flock too and this has answered a lot of my questions. Thanks everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 What a great tip Suzanne about using Koolaid, my kids used to drink that stuff and then their mouths and shirts would be stained with it, karma for you;) B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolyn Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 I use all colours of food colouring for Mika's wood toys, I also bake after for about 10 min. The colours are bright and he loves them. The longer you leave the wood in the colour, the deeper it goes into the wood. Carolyn & Mika Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzzique Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 I've posted it before but I'll post it again. This is a great DIY toy site. Tons of great ideas! Also though I do order alot of parts I also love the Dollar Store for toy parts! I recently found the golf ball sized whiffle balls 12 to a package. http://www.cheepparrottoysntips.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notsu Posted September 11, 2008 Author Share Posted September 11, 2008 Wow, thank you everyone for your responses and info! I had no clue as to the koolaid and baking it! I may just buy wood and make them myself!! Thanks again!! Tammy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broomer Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Made these for Loki last night, he was so very curious about what I was doing. This one was just a plastic chain with a tube over it, I sliced a few holes to allow the popsicle sticks though and attached it to his playstand. So far, he likes it. And this, is the Orange ball of DOOOOM! Wiffle ball and some leather straps from a toy I dismantled. It was a bundle of leather wrapped in Sisal rope. He was playing with it in his cage for about 30 minutes earlier. The tube one is something that I can repeatedly make, so it's all good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyboop Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Broomer , Those are great looking toys...I'm going to copy your design. I buy wood blocks and toys from Naloni , all of their wood is safe for birds . They have a lot of items and I like their prices. They also have a good selection of toys already made , especially for Greys. Also for dying wood , you can use blueberries, beets , and maybe some other foods that loose color after boiling. Bettyboop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 I have used coolaid as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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