@bojanplaya *lmao* I didn't even notice that until you pointed it out! I get so used to him babbling stuff in the background all the time. I actually don't know what he's saying, but it wouldn't surprise me that it's a mumbled version, as my friend says that fairly often. My bird used to belong to her mom. He very clearly says, "crack," though, if he's too lazy to say "crackers." Haven't managed to record that, yet. :P
@TheBrian7768 He'll say, "what?" In the half accusing tone of a teenager reacting to someone watching them too intently. He says it in my voice cause I used to ask him that when he screamed for no apparent reason. *lol* It's not in this vid though. I forget if he says it in other vids.
@calypsocowgirl Opinions are kinda mixed about shells. Some say there's too many toxic chemicals in the ocean that make shells unsafe, but considering that there are chemicals in most everything, I guess take that caution how you will. If your bird doesn't eat toys & just likes to break them or forage, I don't see a problem. Just wash them well, like any new toy part. Some people bake them in the oven to sanitize. Dunno temp or time, tho. I'd worry more about driftwood, since it's more porous.
@julianacjara It's generally not a good idea. There's claims that the glue used to make the tubes are toxic. If your bird doesn't chew on the paper for long periods (mine sometimes just shreds it and throws it away), it might be ok. Really depends on what you want to take chances with.
I have a tutorial on how to make your own play tubes using paper and wheat paste. It's linked in the vid comments. They're pretty easy to make. Just use a few layers to imitate toilet paper tubes.
@julianacjara, Each of our User ID's are active links. Click on mine to be taken to my profile. There you will find my website. Click on my website to be taken to more information concerning bird toys and bird food. Thank you!
quick question? if everyones so worried about getting bit, why not downsize to a parakeet/budgie? even if they do bite, it dont hurt that bad, the bigger birds can really do some damage
@dallas420VA It really depends on the bird & the owner's training/socializing efforts. I've had numerous types of birds through my life and heard stories like a classmate getting bitten/pecked regularly by zebra finches, while I've only ever been bitten by parakeets and cockatiels. The deepest bite came from an African ringneck (small bird compared to Toby) & still have a scar a year later. Hearing damage came mostly from my cockatiels, Toby isn't as much of a screamer as others I've heard. O.o
@PhoenixBlackthorn i wish we had rescues here in oz we have the RSPCA and they make you pay for them or they get put to sleep. i think its stupid but yeah the rescues here make you pay to adopt animals kinda stupid
@Suzakie A lot of rescues have an adoption fee. The amount varies from place to place. It helps with upkeep of the facilities and the funds used to keep the animal there prior to adoption and any vet fees incurred if the animal came to them sick. So while the fees are annoying, they help the facility stay open especially private shelters like many parrot rescues in the US which start in people's homes who are given birds cause the owners don't know what to do w/them anymore.
Oh and for those who think it's mean to keep a parrot in a cage, my parrot has her own room, AND we go for walks everyday, where she can fly as far as she wants..and guess what,,yeah she comes back every time, my parrot loves me as much as I love her, so if you think it's wrong to own a parrot or bird look at it this way, birds come by the millions, and most die young in the wild, a parrot in "a cage" had a very high chance of living WAY longer than you.
My Parrot a Blue Front Amazon was found w/ a broken wing n missing alot of feathers. I belive something was trying to eat her n my family adopted her, then as I grew up and moved out I adopted her..not realizing how expensive parrots were, but tips n tricks about making ur own parrot toys definately saves me alot of money every year, glad to Kiwi, my parrot, is about 2 celebrate 19 years of being a part of my family.
@ITBOILSMYBLOOD XD Thanks. Would be neat if they were that sharp. Though it'd kinda suck. I already don't get along very well with delicate fabrics and plastic bags. :P
Well, they look hot anyhow. The extreme shape is cool too, the whole nail tapers into claws. Neat. :) I can imagine some people are would actually be scared of em. lol :D
This is a great video but I only have one comment. Be careful using paper towel and toilet paper rolls. The glue's used to hold them together are toxic to birds if ingested. Other than that, great video.
@jessetheintimidator Thanks. :) Yeah, I made note of alternatives annotated on the vid itself and linked the tutorial for making them in the comments and video response.
@PhoenixBlackthorn That's great, keep up the good work. I just wanted to mention that because there are a lot of people who don't know that kind of information. Excellent job on the video. =)
@jessetheintimidator I know what you mean. I see a fair amount of strange stuff floating around, myself. Especially when it comes to food and toys. I've been trying to figure out a good way to present an actual tube making tutorial that goes through the steps that will produce a useable tube. The size of the tube in that vid is better for a medium to large dog. It's that strong. *lol*
@PhoenixBlackthorn Wow! It would be great if you could make a video on it. I'm actually having a hard time figuring out ways to enrich my parrots environment. She was a rescue and I just recently found out the she was wild caught. I'm actually a behavioral and training expert but it's hard dealing with her because she doesn't appreciate anything in captivity the way captive born parrots do. Entertaining her is proving to be very difficult.
@jessetheintimidator Oy. I imagine that's been rather interesting journey for the both of you! Glad to hear that you're putting in the effort to try to work with her. :) All three of mine were adopted through the social grapevine so they had it a little better.
Are there any foods that she'll drop anything for to get at? Toby, my B&G has a tendency to be a feathered lump sometimes, so I'll shove his favorite treats in his toys to give him something to do. Have some ideas for the vid. :)
@PhoenixBlackthorn She loves sunflower seeds. I use them as a reward when I trick train her. As soon as I put them in anything that looks like a toy, she won't go near them. A very picky bird. I'm not sure if I have any ideas for the video. I don't know how you could get tubes or make tubes without any glue. I'll do some research, there has to be something out there. Lol
Dunno if you've tried this yet or not, but maybe use props in place of toys to train her with, like a cup torn from an egg carton. Put the seed in and have her fetch it, then reward her if she does then work up from there with other objects?
There's actually a number of natural safe glues. In the existing vid I used wheat and cornstarch paste for those tubes. All it is is some white flour or cornstarch cooked in water. Need to figure out the number of layers of paper so it won't be a rock. XD
@PhoenixBlackthorn Right, in some cases that could be a good thing though. Save you from making too many. It's not every day that you find something that can withstand the beak of a macaw. lol. I'll try that method in my next training session. Tina loves to interact and play with people but if you ask her to play with some toys and entertain herself you might as well forget it! Lol
@PhoenixBlackthorn Haha, I do to. My cockatoo Tina loves to shred and destroy things. Instead of playing with her toys, she enjoys figuring out how they are attached to the inside of her cage. Then she messes with it until it falls to the bottom. Takes a total of about five minutes, then she's bored again. Lol
@jessetheintimidator *lol* I know Toby loves to destory things, so I make toys for him to destroy and it keeps him happy. There's a vid that I think I either need to remake or load. Forget if the last take was ok or not. It's a toy that's not connected to anything at all. It's a rumpled catalog that just sits on top of his cage that he picks at when he's outside. It took him a little while to get used to it cause it's about his size. :P
@PhoenixBlackthorn That's awsome! Tina's favorite toy is a cardboard box filled with newspaper. She loves to get in there and shred all of the paper and hide under it. She's a very odd bird. Lol
@jessetheintimidator :P I think it's the nature of birds to be odd. I found a couple boxes in the recycle bin at work that I might do something similar with. I've seen forage toys like that online running about $7+ in additional refill packs and I'm thinking..... 'Srsly?' I can probably find some of those for free with a bit of patience. XD
@PhoenixBlackthorn Haha, I know! I work at a grocery store so I can get as many boxes as I want for free. Tina has a very destructive side to her. She could go through 3 or more a day. Lol
@jessetheintimidator Woo! Yay for free sources! I'm at a library, so when they get new computer parts I fish around for boxes like the keyboard boxes and when I can catch them, the egg carton style padding blocks. Toby LOVES those. AND they're not printed, so I don't have to concern myself on the ink. The shapes can be pretty fun, too. They provide a lot of little niches to hide treats in. ^.^ There were some large cup shaped ones a week ago. Forgot to grab them. >.<
@PhoenixBlackthorn Yeah, I do the same thing. Sometimes I'll come upon a perfect object to make a toy out of and then for some reason I forget I have birds and never take it home. Then I get home and realize what I did. Lol. I try to emphasize to people that owning birds is not an easy or inexpensive task. lol
@ReeBee74 You're welcome. :) Glad to help. I hope to have more vids on different homemade toys at some point as I'm hearing how more of those pricey toys are being made overseas for cheap with who knows what kind of regulations to keep them safe for pets. =_= Mostly issues with quality and dyes in wood toys and questionable plating on metals. Haven't heard anything else....yet. >.>
Parrot ownership is not cheap regardless if you make toys or not. To give your parrot everything they do require means a good diet consisting of parrot food and lots of fruits and vegetables and other things in their diet.
Toy making is not just throwing things together. Bird safety needs to be kept in mind. I've heard many sad stories of birds dying of strangulation or getting a toe or beak caught in a toy. Unsafe materials can cause impaction and metal toxicity.
Sisal in this video needs to be all natural, no oils, no chemicals. The chain needs to be stainless steel or nickel plated to be safe. Paper rolls are not safe if there are reminants of glue. Any paper being used needs to be bird safe dyes or prints on it.
Make sure all o-rings are bird safe metal and are closed completely, no spaces as beaks and claws can get caught. Spring hooks are not good. Not bird safe metal, the birds have been known to get their beaks caught into.
@samir6969 *lol* Thanks. Glad you enjoy them. I seem to have gathered a small following of nail fetishists. Yes, they are reasonably sharp and are capable of drawing blood if I've filed them within the past week or two. I'll consider making the vids. Still trying to get used to the idea of the attention they've drawn. XD Seems silly, I know. IRL, most folks aren't aware of them unless I bring direct attention to them.
@xxLabrat407xx For me, it's mostly a preference cause they make my already long fingers look longer. ^.^ And they're interesting. I rounded them off in elementary school and never really liked how they looked.
I suppose compared to the squared-off tips, mine probably don't catch on as much stuff since there's only one point instead of two and two edges instead of three. I don't do well with plastic bags and delicate fabrics though. That's the only major downside.
@PhoenixBlackthorn Thank you for the reply. I thought it may have something to do with giving the birds scritches or the visual/psychological effect it may have on birds. I agree they make your slender fingers look very long. I have short fingers and that style didn't suit me. So, I round off my nails. I don't do the square tips anymore because I find them to get caught/broken on things too.
@xxLabrat407xx *lol* Oh, the birds like them too. Having longer nails also helps to groom their heads. I don't know if having rounded or square nails would be better or worse for breaking feather sheaths, as I've had mine cut this way most my life and don't really have much of a point of comparison any more. They are nice though, for getting into areas around their face where the feathers are shorter and there's less to grab.
I hope you do make a video about glues. I would very much like to know if there is any safe glues. Not that I plan to use a lot of glue:)but I did want to make a pirate chest out of cardboard and wanted to maybe glue the lid shut but maybe I'll use another way of closing the chest.
@MissWitchiepoo I take it you mean a glue making vid separate from just discussing the glues in the tube toy tutorial linked in the vid response and the comment box?
I've been pondering it cause it is rather amusing to see just how fast the glue congeals once it hits the hot water. :P
@MrPuddingate They can have bread as a treat. Ideally, if you have whole grain or whole wheat bread, it offers more nutritional value than white bread (same goes for you). Things to watch out for are additives like garlic and onion. Do an online search for foods poisonous to birds to get a better idea of other possible additives. Bread on its own should be fine. I give my birds medium browned toast and just leave with them for a few days. They like the crunchiness. ^.^
My concern is about the dog chains. I've read on other bird-toy-making sites to "use dog chain with caution," but they've not said why we should use caution. Is it the material that the chain is made of, the size of the links, the way the links are constructed, what? I've loads of materials for bird toys but no "skeleton" with which to build the toy off. Also, does anyone know where I can buy stainless steel wire? I've yet to find it - have checked Michael's Crafts, Home Depot, etc. Many thanks!
@Wombatius123 It's zinc that is the issue. Galvanized steel will have a matte gray finish, plated zinc has a very bright yellow or blue finish.
The other issue is that if you're not attentive and leave segments of chain bare, claws and toes can get caught. Though this can be said of cage door hinges. The main thing is, know your bird. Toby isn't one who fiddles with the chain, nor climbs or chews on it. Even the chain that holds the pin for his cage door doesn't get touch very often.
@Wombatius123 In regards to the wire, stainless steel can be found online or if you have a metal supplier in your area. Michael's is worthless for most sorts of wire as are many other craft stores. You want to find an industrial supplier. But more often than not, you will be buying wire by the pound in that case.
@Wombatius123 If you've never worked with steel before, keep in mind that it's a hard metal & edges can be sharp. It doesn't bend as easily as craft wire & for larger gauges if you have bad hands or wrists, you are better off buying sticks for bird kabobs, because it isn't that easy to cut by hand.
@Wombatius123 It's doable, but not easy when you get into 12 and larger gauges, which you will likely need for bird toys. If you have power tools, go for it, but wear eye protection. Just general experience I picked up from chain and maile making and from working with metal sculpture.
@Wombatius123 Oh, BTW, I'm working on a multi-part vid on zinc testing and steel. I filmed part of it today. Hoping to complete it and load it tomorrow, so check back for them!
I have read that toiletpaper manufactores say that the rolls where not made for bird toys and that they use glue that is not good for birds, just thought I'd pass that on;) But I like your video. Another thing that is good to use for toys is paper string the birds love that. Also a naturel colored coffee filter put in some treats and tie it with paper string and put it on the toy. First time punch a little whole in the filter and let them see you put in a treat;) Good foraging:)
@MissWitchiepoo Yeah, I've heard the same thing about the glue. I did an experiment a couple months ago on non-toxic glues to use and I keep forgetting to make a vid about it. Going load one in a moment of the results. Haven't been as concerned about my bird cause he bites and tears the TP tube, but doesn't spend much time chewing on it. He prefers his mop for that.
Paper string's a good idea. I'll have to try that. :) Thanks for the ideas and glad you liked my vid. :)
@MsHorselover8 Re: bird food and cost, the biggest thing you need to watch for are synthetic chemicals. Make sure you're not sacrificing your pet's health for price alone (goes for everyone else reading this). Stuff that goes into bird food is considerably less regulated than dog or cat food. Google "banned chemicals in bird food" for some articles and lists. Many commercial foods I found have one or another of these. (running out of characters. continued in part two).
@MsHorselover8 I mix the fruit & veggie flavor ZuPreen pellets for variation & to reduce the amount of food coloring that's consumed, for health purposes & so I can monitor any changes in droppings. I also supplement Toby's diet with my own mix of human grade raw & roasted non-salted mixed nuts & diced sulphur-free dried fruit. (urgh...I need a part three!)
@MsHorselover8 He gets a few in-shell peanuts & almonds (also human grade) tucked in forage toys for treats & 1/2 tbsp. raw in-shell sunflower seeds before bed (he used to panic when I locked him up for the night. Treats reassured him he wasn't being punished). Fresh fruits & veggies (Google for bird safe ones if you're not sure), pasta, bread. (....here goes a need for part 4! XD).
@MsHorselover8 If you can afford it, there are organic pellets. The ZuPreen I get in 3lb bags. The mixed total of 6lbs (about $35) lasts 3 months feeding him 1-2 times a day in small handful amounts. If you find your bird is dumping a lot of food into their water bowl to soak, try training them to a water bottle to keep the water source clean and reduce food waste (Toby sometimes left quite a bit of food there). Hope this helps! Glad the toy vid helped. Maybe I should video this too. *lol*
@MsHorselover8 *lol* No trouble. I've got a couple more vids planned. The main thing is that I have to wait till everyone clears out of the house during the day cause the microphone is rather sensitive and picks up just about *everything.* XD
I'll do a vid on food, more toys and as best of a cage set up as I can. Toby's cage isn't ideal, but he and his setup were given to me free and I lack the money for something more ideal.
@PhoenixBlackthorn Thanks cant wait to see them. And he is coming once hes weaned and once we pay him off cause we got him in payments. He is trying to wean but doesnt quite get it yet. :) thanks again hope to see your vids soon.
thanks for this vid I have 6 budgies got a quaker parrot 2 days ago and getting a conure in 2 months was thinking I'm gonna be spending a fortune on toys lol I just made my budgies theyre first toy straight after watching this .... about to do one for my quaker now lol thanks very much x
Made my first bird toy this weekend! Thanks for the idea of the dog chain!!
I used on mine pieces of a swimming pool noodle. (Those long foamy like things that float.) My birds love to tear them apart & it takes a while! They made great spacers on the chain.
@ColleenM0317 :) Just make sure your birds don't eat the noodles! Styrofoam isn't digestible (hence the cautions about styro littler on beaches. Causes health probs w-sea life that eat it).
I personally steer clear of them mostly cause I don't want to have to pick through for non-biodegradable bits. We compost all the bird paper and any food waste from them so the paper products are nice in that regard. That and if I don't have to use a petroleum by-product, I won't. But that's just me.
In regards to the chains, if the toy is kept full, the chances the bird has to get at the chain out of boredom, is narrow.
In regards to the cardboard and pests, this is really only something to watch for in certain areas of the world. Roaches simply cannot survive in colder climates. Also, pests tend to reside in places that have infrequent disturbance and ample food. A parrot toy in use in a well tended area (seriously, I do hope folks clean up after their birds), would not fit that bill.
All metal whether it be chains, clips or feeding dishes MUST be STAINLESS STEEL. If you buy cheap, the chances of it containing ZINC - a highly toxic metal for birds - is very high. The copper bell is OK. Cardboard is a double-sided good/bad. You can insert seeds in the cardboard for a foraging toy but also it is a good place where roaches can hide.
Great video! Once you own a parrot, you start looking at scraps & other things as possible chew toys. The dollar stores are wonderful for this stuff.. My kids like pacifers, army men, strands of plastic Christmas beads, baby rattles & anything else they can safely destroy. lol
*lol* Yes, I do quite a bit of that. I'm always on the lookout for bits and pieces for Toby. The little ones seem to be content with paper, soft wood and card stock. Rolly toys terrify them or they just run head on into them and trip as they run around the bottom of their cages. XD It's actually rather funny to watch as the balls are about mid chest high on them!
This is fabulous! Thank you so much for taking the time to post this! I just got a B&G yesterday, went out and bought a toy that is supposed to be for macaws, and he has already torn half of it apart! This is a great idea, we are going to start saving our stuff that we would normally throw away! And as for those rubber balls, I gave one to my grey, and she destroyed it within a week! LOL Thanks again, this is going to help us save a lot of money!!
Another suggestion I forgot to add that I've seen used in commercial toys are whiffle balls, both the regular size and ping-pong size. Both are sold in packs, cheap. Try the thrift store for loose ones.
*lol* Yeah, I think I got lucky with my bird. He has two balls and the oval ball and so far he hasn't really taken to chewing any of them since he has numerous other options. He nips them viciously now and then, but they've held! ^.^
it's funny that you can here your bird in the background.
1cockatiel1 1 week ago
@1cockatiel1 His cage is almost directly behind me in this vid, hence why he sounds so close. ;)
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 week ago
2:26 did your bird just say "WTF" ? lol
bojanplaya 1 month ago
@bojanplaya *lmao* I didn't even notice that until you pointed it out! I get so used to him babbling stuff in the background all the time. I actually don't know what he's saying, but it wouldn't surprise me that it's a mumbled version, as my friend says that fairly often. My bird used to belong to her mom. He very clearly says, "crack," though, if he's too lazy to say "crackers." Haven't managed to record that, yet. :P
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 month ago
@bojanplaya when you go to 2:26 it only sais "what" for some reason if you go to 2:25 u can hear ''wtf'' XD
TheBrian7768 2 weeks ago
@TheBrian7768 He'll say, "what?" In the half accusing tone of a teenager reacting to someone watching them too intently. He says it in my voice cause I used to ask him that when he screamed for no apparent reason. *lol* It's not in this vid though. I forget if he says it in other vids.
PhoenixBlackthorn 2 weeks ago
just wounding if shells are harmful to birds? cuz i was going to make a bird toy out of some sea shells i have
calypsocowgirl 1 month ago
@calypsocowgirl Opinions are kinda mixed about shells. Some say there's too many toxic chemicals in the ocean that make shells unsafe, but considering that there are chemicals in most everything, I guess take that caution how you will. If your bird doesn't eat toys & just likes to break them or forage, I don't see a problem. Just wash them well, like any new toy part. Some people bake them in the oven to sanitize. Dunno temp or time, tho. I'd worry more about driftwood, since it's more porous.
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 month ago
please, can i use the carton tube of inside toylet paper?? i used oce, but i thought my parrot eas eating it, so i took it off....is it safe??
julianacjara 1 month ago
@julianacjara It's generally not a good idea. There's claims that the glue used to make the tubes are toxic. If your bird doesn't chew on the paper for long periods (mine sometimes just shreds it and throws it away), it might be ok. Really depends on what you want to take chances with.
I have a tutorial on how to make your own play tubes using paper and wheat paste. It's linked in the vid comments. They're pretty easy to make. Just use a few layers to imitate toilet paper tubes.
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 month ago
Be sure when making your parrot toys you use only the safest parts. Click on my link to learn what parts are the safest parts.
AidForTheBirds 2 months ago
@AidForTheBirds what link?
julianacjara 1 month ago
@julianacjara, Each of our User ID's are active links. Click on mine to be taken to my profile. There you will find my website. Click on my website to be taken to more information concerning bird toys and bird food. Thank you!
AidForTheBirds 1 month ago
quick question? if everyones so worried about getting bit, why not downsize to a parakeet/budgie? even if they do bite, it dont hurt that bad, the bigger birds can really do some damage
dallas420VA 3 months ago
@dallas420VA It really depends on the bird & the owner's training/socializing efforts. I've had numerous types of birds through my life and heard stories like a classmate getting bitten/pecked regularly by zebra finches, while I've only ever been bitten by parakeets and cockatiels. The deepest bite came from an African ringneck (small bird compared to Toby) & still have a scar a year later. Hearing damage came mostly from my cockatiels, Toby isn't as much of a screamer as others I've heard. O.o
PhoenixBlackthorn 3 months ago
i got a parrolet for $60 on kijiji from a breeder.its a talking parrot!
isabelle2468100 3 months ago
@isabelle2468100 Why do you want to support breeders when there are numerous birds in rescues needing homes?
PhoenixBlackthorn 3 months ago
@PhoenixBlackthorn i wish we had rescues here in oz we have the RSPCA and they make you pay for them or they get put to sleep. i think its stupid but yeah the rescues here make you pay to adopt animals kinda stupid
Suzakie 1 month ago
@Suzakie A lot of rescues have an adoption fee. The amount varies from place to place. It helps with upkeep of the facilities and the funds used to keep the animal there prior to adoption and any vet fees incurred if the animal came to them sick. So while the fees are annoying, they help the facility stay open especially private shelters like many parrot rescues in the US which start in people's homes who are given birds cause the owners don't know what to do w/them anymore.
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 month ago
Oh and for those who think it's mean to keep a parrot in a cage, my parrot has her own room, AND we go for walks everyday, where she can fly as far as she wants..and guess what,,yeah she comes back every time, my parrot loves me as much as I love her, so if you think it's wrong to own a parrot or bird look at it this way, birds come by the millions, and most die young in the wild, a parrot in "a cage" had a very high chance of living WAY longer than you.
taralee2012 4 months ago
My Parrot a Blue Front Amazon was found w/ a broken wing n missing alot of feathers. I belive something was trying to eat her n my family adopted her, then as I grew up and moved out I adopted her..not realizing how expensive parrots were, but tips n tricks about making ur own parrot toys definately saves me alot of money every year, glad to Kiwi, my parrot, is about 2 celebrate 19 years of being a part of my family.
taralee2012 4 months ago
cant afford 1?
cradleofify 4 months ago
@PhoenixBlackthorn thnks for the advice I hope your right :)
TheBrian7768 5 months ago
@PhoenixBlackthorn my step dad found a parot in brazil,
TheBrian7768 5 months ago
you have really pretty hands
BennyJennyJ1 9 months ago
scary nails !
imandanmarki 10 months ago
@imandanmarki *lol* All a matter of perspective. :) They're very handy, though. ^.^
PhoenixBlackthorn 10 months ago 2
@PhoenixBlackthorn: i believe so !! :))))) :)
imandanmarki 10 months ago
@PhoenixBlackthorn actually dosent look that scary when i look at it again . its actually very sexy;)
imandanmarki 10 months ago
@imandanmarki XD Thanks. Perspective is such an interesting thing, isn't it? :)
PhoenixBlackthorn 10 months ago
@PhoenixBlackthorn emm it depend on the situation ;)
imandanmarki 10 months ago
@imandanmarki Very true. :)
PhoenixBlackthorn 10 months ago
@PhoenixBlackthorn
I stumbled onto your video on accident. Cool video and you have some awesome claws. They look as sharp as needles. :)
ITBOILSMYBLOOD 7 months ago
@ITBOILSMYBLOOD XD Thanks. Would be neat if they were that sharp. Though it'd kinda suck. I already don't get along very well with delicate fabrics and plastic bags. :P
PhoenixBlackthorn 7 months ago
@PhoenixBlackthorn
Well, they look hot anyhow. The extreme shape is cool too, the whole nail tapers into claws. Neat. :) I can imagine some people are would actually be scared of em. lol :D
ITBOILSMYBLOOD 7 months ago
Your pet is so cute and very talented.. Nice!
ParrotTrainingSchool 1 year ago
This is a great video but I only have one comment. Be careful using paper towel and toilet paper rolls. The glue's used to hold them together are toxic to birds if ingested. Other than that, great video.
jessetheintimidator 1 year ago
@jessetheintimidator Thanks. :) Yeah, I made note of alternatives annotated on the vid itself and linked the tutorial for making them in the comments and video response.
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
@PhoenixBlackthorn That's great, keep up the good work. I just wanted to mention that because there are a lot of people who don't know that kind of information. Excellent job on the video. =)
jessetheintimidator 1 year ago
@jessetheintimidator I know what you mean. I see a fair amount of strange stuff floating around, myself. Especially when it comes to food and toys. I've been trying to figure out a good way to present an actual tube making tutorial that goes through the steps that will produce a useable tube. The size of the tube in that vid is better for a medium to large dog. It's that strong. *lol*
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
@PhoenixBlackthorn Wow! It would be great if you could make a video on it. I'm actually having a hard time figuring out ways to enrich my parrots environment. She was a rescue and I just recently found out the she was wild caught. I'm actually a behavioral and training expert but it's hard dealing with her because she doesn't appreciate anything in captivity the way captive born parrots do. Entertaining her is proving to be very difficult.
jessetheintimidator 1 year ago
@jessetheintimidator Oy. I imagine that's been rather interesting journey for the both of you! Glad to hear that you're putting in the effort to try to work with her. :) All three of mine were adopted through the social grapevine so they had it a little better.
Are there any foods that she'll drop anything for to get at? Toby, my B&G has a tendency to be a feathered lump sometimes, so I'll shove his favorite treats in his toys to give him something to do. Have some ideas for the vid. :)
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
@PhoenixBlackthorn She loves sunflower seeds. I use them as a reward when I trick train her. As soon as I put them in anything that looks like a toy, she won't go near them. A very picky bird. I'm not sure if I have any ideas for the video. I don't know how you could get tubes or make tubes without any glue. I'll do some research, there has to be something out there. Lol
jessetheintimidator 1 year ago
Dunno if you've tried this yet or not, but maybe use props in place of toys to train her with, like a cup torn from an egg carton. Put the seed in and have her fetch it, then reward her if she does then work up from there with other objects?
There's actually a number of natural safe glues. In the existing vid I used wheat and cornstarch paste for those tubes. All it is is some white flour or cornstarch cooked in water. Need to figure out the number of layers of paper so it won't be a rock. XD
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
@PhoenixBlackthorn Right, in some cases that could be a good thing though. Save you from making too many. It's not every day that you find something that can withstand the beak of a macaw. lol. I'll try that method in my next training session. Tina loves to interact and play with people but if you ask her to play with some toys and entertain herself you might as well forget it! Lol
jessetheintimidator 1 year ago
@jessetheintimidator XD True. 'cept that I think he feels defeated enough by it that he won't touch it. Poor baby. He needs instant gratification.
Hope it works!
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
@PhoenixBlackthorn Haha, I do to. My cockatoo Tina loves to shred and destroy things. Instead of playing with her toys, she enjoys figuring out how they are attached to the inside of her cage. Then she messes with it until it falls to the bottom. Takes a total of about five minutes, then she's bored again. Lol
jessetheintimidator 1 year ago
@jessetheintimidator *lol* I know Toby loves to destory things, so I make toys for him to destroy and it keeps him happy. There's a vid that I think I either need to remake or load. Forget if the last take was ok or not. It's a toy that's not connected to anything at all. It's a rumpled catalog that just sits on top of his cage that he picks at when he's outside. It took him a little while to get used to it cause it's about his size. :P
PhoenixBlackthorn 11 months ago
@PhoenixBlackthorn That's awsome! Tina's favorite toy is a cardboard box filled with newspaper. She loves to get in there and shred all of the paper and hide under it. She's a very odd bird. Lol
jessetheintimidator 11 months ago
@jessetheintimidator :P I think it's the nature of birds to be odd. I found a couple boxes in the recycle bin at work that I might do something similar with. I've seen forage toys like that online running about $7+ in additional refill packs and I'm thinking..... 'Srsly?' I can probably find some of those for free with a bit of patience. XD
PhoenixBlackthorn 11 months ago
@PhoenixBlackthorn Haha, I know! I work at a grocery store so I can get as many boxes as I want for free. Tina has a very destructive side to her. She could go through 3 or more a day. Lol
jessetheintimidator 11 months ago
@jessetheintimidator Woo! Yay for free sources! I'm at a library, so when they get new computer parts I fish around for boxes like the keyboard boxes and when I can catch them, the egg carton style padding blocks. Toby LOVES those. AND they're not printed, so I don't have to concern myself on the ink. The shapes can be pretty fun, too. They provide a lot of little niches to hide treats in. ^.^ There were some large cup shaped ones a week ago. Forgot to grab them. >.<
PhoenixBlackthorn 11 months ago
@PhoenixBlackthorn Yeah, I do the same thing. Sometimes I'll come upon a perfect object to make a toy out of and then for some reason I forget I have birds and never take it home. Then I get home and realize what I did. Lol. I try to emphasize to people that owning birds is not an easy or inexpensive task. lol
jessetheintimidator 11 months ago
Thanks!
rockinreptiles2 1 year ago
Wonderful idea! Thanks for the support.
Ritercrazy 1 year ago
Thank you just let me know when you made the video
gameslayeral 1 year ago
Hello was woundeing if you can show me how to make any swings for your parrot and other small birds like cockatiel budgie and so on thank you
gameslayeral 1 year ago
@gameslayeral I can do some experiments and see what I can figure out that's interesting. :)
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
Good idea thanks. I need all the ideas i can get as pet shops are so expensive here so thanks. :-)
ReeBee74 1 year ago
@ReeBee74 You're welcome. :) Glad to help. I hope to have more vids on different homemade toys at some point as I'm hearing how more of those pricey toys are being made overseas for cheap with who knows what kind of regulations to keep them safe for pets. =_= Mostly issues with quality and dyes in wood toys and questionable plating on metals. Haven't heard anything else....yet. >.>
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
Parrot ownership is not cheap regardless if you make toys or not. To give your parrot everything they do require means a good diet consisting of parrot food and lots of fruits and vegetables and other things in their diet.
Toy making is not just throwing things together. Bird safety needs to be kept in mind. I've heard many sad stories of birds dying of strangulation or getting a toe or beak caught in a toy. Unsafe materials can cause impaction and metal toxicity.
crazyanimal 1 year ago
Sisal in this video needs to be all natural, no oils, no chemicals. The chain needs to be stainless steel or nickel plated to be safe. Paper rolls are not safe if there are reminants of glue. Any paper being used needs to be bird safe dyes or prints on it.
crazyanimal 1 year ago
Make sure all o-rings are bird safe metal and are closed completely, no spaces as beaks and claws can get caught. Spring hooks are not good. Not bird safe metal, the birds have been known to get their beaks caught into.
crazyanimal 1 year ago
C: i wanna make one
Heavyweponsguy2000 1 year ago
Comment removed
samir6969 1 year ago
@samir6969 *lol* Thanks. Glad you enjoy them. I seem to have gathered a small following of nail fetishists. Yes, they are reasonably sharp and are capable of drawing blood if I've filed them within the past week or two. I'll consider making the vids. Still trying to get used to the idea of the attention they've drawn. XD Seems silly, I know. IRL, most folks aren't aware of them unless I bring direct attention to them.
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
is there an advantage to having triangular nails?
xxLabrat407xx 1 year ago
@xxLabrat407xx For me, it's mostly a preference cause they make my already long fingers look longer. ^.^ And they're interesting. I rounded them off in elementary school and never really liked how they looked.
I suppose compared to the squared-off tips, mine probably don't catch on as much stuff since there's only one point instead of two and two edges instead of three. I don't do well with plastic bags and delicate fabrics though. That's the only major downside.
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
@PhoenixBlackthorn Thank you for the reply. I thought it may have something to do with giving the birds scritches or the visual/psychological effect it may have on birds. I agree they make your slender fingers look very long. I have short fingers and that style didn't suit me. So, I round off my nails. I don't do the square tips anymore because I find them to get caught/broken on things too.
xxLabrat407xx 1 year ago
@xxLabrat407xx *lol* Oh, the birds like them too. Having longer nails also helps to groom their heads. I don't know if having rounded or square nails would be better or worse for breaking feather sheaths, as I've had mine cut this way most my life and don't really have much of a point of comparison any more. They are nice though, for getting into areas around their face where the feathers are shorter and there's less to grab.
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
I hope you do make a video about glues. I would very much like to know if there is any safe glues. Not that I plan to use a lot of glue:)but I did want to make a pirate chest out of cardboard and wanted to maybe glue the lid shut but maybe I'll use another way of closing the chest.
MissWitchiepoo 1 year ago
@MissWitchiepoo I take it you mean a glue making vid separate from just discussing the glues in the tube toy tutorial linked in the vid response and the comment box?
I've been pondering it cause it is rather amusing to see just how fast the glue congeals once it hits the hot water. :P
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
Can parrots have bread or does it have to be a certain type
MrPuddingate 1 year ago
@MrPuddingate They can have bread as a treat. Ideally, if you have whole grain or whole wheat bread, it offers more nutritional value than white bread (same goes for you). Things to watch out for are additives like garlic and onion. Do an online search for foods poisonous to birds to get a better idea of other possible additives. Bread on its own should be fine. I give my birds medium browned toast and just leave with them for a few days. They like the crunchiness. ^.^
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
My concern is about the dog chains. I've read on other bird-toy-making sites to "use dog chain with caution," but they've not said why we should use caution. Is it the material that the chain is made of, the size of the links, the way the links are constructed, what? I've loads of materials for bird toys but no "skeleton" with which to build the toy off. Also, does anyone know where I can buy stainless steel wire? I've yet to find it - have checked Michael's Crafts, Home Depot, etc. Many thanks!
Wombatius123 1 year ago
@Wombatius123 It's zinc that is the issue. Galvanized steel will have a matte gray finish, plated zinc has a very bright yellow or blue finish.
The other issue is that if you're not attentive and leave segments of chain bare, claws and toes can get caught. Though this can be said of cage door hinges. The main thing is, know your bird. Toby isn't one who fiddles with the chain, nor climbs or chews on it. Even the chain that holds the pin for his cage door doesn't get touch very often.
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
@Wombatius123 In regards to the wire, stainless steel can be found online or if you have a metal supplier in your area. Michael's is worthless for most sorts of wire as are many other craft stores. You want to find an industrial supplier. But more often than not, you will be buying wire by the pound in that case.
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
@Wombatius123 If you've never worked with steel before, keep in mind that it's a hard metal & edges can be sharp. It doesn't bend as easily as craft wire & for larger gauges if you have bad hands or wrists, you are better off buying sticks for bird kabobs, because it isn't that easy to cut by hand.
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
@Wombatius123 It's doable, but not easy when you get into 12 and larger gauges, which you will likely need for bird toys. If you have power tools, go for it, but wear eye protection. Just general experience I picked up from chain and maile making and from working with metal sculpture.
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
@Wombatius123 Oh, BTW, I'm working on a multi-part vid on zinc testing and steel. I filmed part of it today. Hoping to complete it and load it tomorrow, so check back for them!
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
I have read that toiletpaper manufactores say that the rolls where not made for bird toys and that they use glue that is not good for birds, just thought I'd pass that on;) But I like your video. Another thing that is good to use for toys is paper string the birds love that. Also a naturel colored coffee filter put in some treats and tie it with paper string and put it on the toy. First time punch a little whole in the filter and let them see you put in a treat;) Good foraging:)
MissWitchiepoo 1 year ago
@MissWitchiepoo Yeah, I've heard the same thing about the glue. I did an experiment a couple months ago on non-toxic glues to use and I keep forgetting to make a vid about it. Going load one in a moment of the results. Haven't been as concerned about my bird cause he bites and tears the TP tube, but doesn't spend much time chewing on it. He prefers his mop for that.
Paper string's a good idea. I'll have to try that. :) Thanks for the ideas and glad you liked my vid. :)
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
luv this video!!! i did this in a smaller way for my conure :) and okay im sorry, but dont your nails ever bother you?? they are like spears!
lolinalldaway123 1 year ago
@lolinalldaway123 :) Thanks!
*lol* Nah. I've kept them this way over half my life. I get used to them. I'm really bad with plastic bags and delicate fabrics though.. :P
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
where do you buy your food i am getting a blue and gold macaw soo and need to find cheap parrot food. by the way i love you video it helped alot!
MsHorselover8 1 year ago
@MsHorselover8 Re: bird food and cost, the biggest thing you need to watch for are synthetic chemicals. Make sure you're not sacrificing your pet's health for price alone (goes for everyone else reading this). Stuff that goes into bird food is considerably less regulated than dog or cat food. Google "banned chemicals in bird food" for some articles and lists. Many commercial foods I found have one or another of these. (running out of characters. continued in part two).
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
@MsHorselover8 I mix the fruit & veggie flavor ZuPreen pellets for variation & to reduce the amount of food coloring that's consumed, for health purposes & so I can monitor any changes in droppings. I also supplement Toby's diet with my own mix of human grade raw & roasted non-salted mixed nuts & diced sulphur-free dried fruit. (urgh...I need a part three!)
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
@PhoenixBlackthorn hah please make more vids :D they really help
MsHorselover8 1 year ago
@MsHorselover8 He gets a few in-shell peanuts & almonds (also human grade) tucked in forage toys for treats & 1/2 tbsp. raw in-shell sunflower seeds before bed (he used to panic when I locked him up for the night. Treats reassured him he wasn't being punished). Fresh fruits & veggies (Google for bird safe ones if you're not sure), pasta, bread. (....here goes a need for part 4! XD).
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
@MsHorselover8 If you can afford it, there are organic pellets. The ZuPreen I get in 3lb bags. The mixed total of 6lbs (about $35) lasts 3 months feeding him 1-2 times a day in small handful amounts. If you find your bird is dumping a lot of food into their water bowl to soak, try training them to a water bottle to keep the water source clean and reduce food waste (Toby sometimes left quite a bit of food there). Hope this helps! Glad the toy vid helped. Maybe I should video this too. *lol*
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
@MsHorselover8 please do a video of this and can you do a video of a cage set up :) sorry for asking or so much but i want to be really prepared
MsHorselover8 1 year ago
@MsHorselover8 *lol* No trouble. I've got a couple more vids planned. The main thing is that I have to wait till everyone clears out of the house during the day cause the microphone is rather sensitive and picks up just about *everything.* XD
I'll do a vid on food, more toys and as best of a cage set up as I can. Toby's cage isn't ideal, but he and his setup were given to me free and I lack the money for something more ideal.
How soon are you getting your new baby? :)
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
@PhoenixBlackthorn Thanks cant wait to see them. And he is coming once hes weaned and once we pay him off cause we got him in payments. He is trying to wean but doesnt quite get it yet. :) thanks again hope to see your vids soon.
MsHorselover8 1 year ago
thanks for this vid I have 6 budgies got a quaker parrot 2 days ago and getting a conure in 2 months was thinking I'm gonna be spending a fortune on toys lol I just made my budgies theyre first toy straight after watching this .... about to do one for my quaker now lol thanks very much x
mzstormchaseruk 1 year ago
@mzstormchaseruk You're welcome. ^.^ Glad I could help.
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
Made my first bird toy this weekend! Thanks for the idea of the dog chain!!
I used on mine pieces of a swimming pool noodle. (Those long foamy like things that float.) My birds love to tear them apart & it takes a while! They made great spacers on the chain.
ColleenM0317 1 year ago
@ColleenM0317 :) Just make sure your birds don't eat the noodles! Styrofoam isn't digestible (hence the cautions about styro littler on beaches. Causes health probs w-sea life that eat it).
I personally steer clear of them mostly cause I don't want to have to pick through for non-biodegradable bits. We compost all the bird paper and any food waste from them so the paper products are nice in that regard. That and if I don't have to use a petroleum by-product, I won't. But that's just me.
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
In regards to the chains, if the toy is kept full, the chances the bird has to get at the chain out of boredom, is narrow.
In regards to the cardboard and pests, this is really only something to watch for in certain areas of the world. Roaches simply cannot survive in colder climates. Also, pests tend to reside in places that have infrequent disturbance and ample food. A parrot toy in use in a well tended area (seriously, I do hope folks clean up after their birds), would not fit that bill.
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
All metal whether it be chains, clips or feeding dishes MUST be STAINLESS STEEL. If you buy cheap, the chances of it containing ZINC - a highly toxic metal for birds - is very high. The copper bell is OK. Cardboard is a double-sided good/bad. You can insert seeds in the cardboard for a foraging toy but also it is a good place where roaches can hide.
sooz55 1 year ago
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sooz55 1 year ago
Great video! Once you own a parrot, you start looking at scraps & other things as possible chew toys. The dollar stores are wonderful for this stuff.. My kids like pacifers, army men, strands of plastic Christmas beads, baby rattles & anything else they can safely destroy. lol
ColleenM0317 1 year ago
@ColleenM0317 ^.^ Thanks.
*lol* Yes, I do quite a bit of that. I'm always on the lookout for bits and pieces for Toby. The little ones seem to be content with paper, soft wood and card stock. Rolly toys terrify them or they just run head on into them and trip as they run around the bottom of their cages. XD It's actually rather funny to watch as the balls are about mid chest high on them!
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago
This is fabulous! Thank you so much for taking the time to post this! I just got a B&G yesterday, went out and bought a toy that is supposed to be for macaws, and he has already torn half of it apart! This is a great idea, we are going to start saving our stuff that we would normally throw away! And as for those rubber balls, I gave one to my grey, and she destroyed it within a week! LOL Thanks again, this is going to help us save a lot of money!!
christypooh402 1 year ago
@christypooh402 You're welcome! Glad I could help.
Another suggestion I forgot to add that I've seen used in commercial toys are whiffle balls, both the regular size and ping-pong size. Both are sold in packs, cheap. Try the thrift store for loose ones.
*lol* Yeah, I think I got lucky with my bird. He has two balls and the oval ball and so far he hasn't really taken to chewing any of them since he has numerous other options. He nips them viciously now and then, but they've held! ^.^
PhoenixBlackthorn 1 year ago