making parrot toys

Added link 8/10/2010

Tube toy tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsLX7VOVD3w

~~~~~~~~~~~
Added links 8/12/2010

Zinc testing vids:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jPEr05O0mM
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfib1TY8eHg
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YnZqzZXmXc

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A brief run-down of things I clipped from the vid to save you all from having to listen to 3 more minutes of my mumbling. ^.^

Since I did sort of mention cost of basic upkeep at the start of the vid, I'll add food costs. I spend about $30 (2 bags/flavors of food) for his basic pellet diet and maybe $5-10 for nuts/seed treats a quarter. Everything else like fruits and veggies, bread and random food bits comes off our own plates.

More suggestions on/about cheap and easy parrot toys for your birds to destroy:
-phone books (I personally don't like them. I find the smell of the ink too strong.)
-untreated 2x4's! Toby has an 18" or so 2x4 that he gradually will nip at from time to time.

When using re-appropriated materials like cardboard scavenged from the recycling bin at home, work, grocery store, etc...PLEASE keep an eye out for tape, staples, glue, contaminants (food stains, chemicals, unknown substances, excess printing inks).

About the toilet paper tubes, make sure to remove ALL of the remaining tissue that might still be stuck to it. Inhaling that stuff really sucks (No pun intended. I often use TP in place of facial tissue) and if it's bothersome to detach with hands, I imagine it'd be more difficult trying to scrape tissue out of your throat with clawed feet!

Where to find materials:
-Cardboard: check recycling bins, save stuff from packaging, ask around stores that tend to ship/receive stock in large quantities. Large bookstores are nice because you don't have to worry as much about food or chemical drips on the boxes.

-toilet paper tubes: I'm sure most folks have access to this. Just save it up. :)

-packing cartons: check the recycling bin at your workplace (keep an eye out for shipments of new electronics) or try asking stores that sell electronics. I've found these things used to nest stuff from computer monitors to electric tabletop bathroom mirrors.

-mop: cleaning aisle at the grocery or hardware store. Toby's is cotton. I wash it in the sink after an hour soak (I used biodegradable laundry soap and baking soda), now and then when it gets dirty. Getting out all the soap is the fun part...=_=

-rubber balls: pet store. Round one comes in numerous colors and two more sizes, both larger than what I have. Shelved with dog toys. Oval I used to see with dog toys, but no longer. The one I have, was with parrot toys. Only have seen it in orange. About $6-7 for either. Also check online. There might be more options. I have a friend who goes through drsfosterandsmith.com and she seems fairly satisfied with their products and service.

-giant beads: they came off Toby's old hanging toy. I don't know where to get just the beads. They're just large chunks of plastic I use as spacers so essentially, you could use large wood beads which I've seen sold by the jar at pet stores for bird toy makers.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• parrot
• ara
• macaw
• cockatiel
• bird
• hookbill
• toy
• handmade
• diy
• howto
• how
• to
• crafts
• homemade
• free
• cheap
• inexpensive
• recycle
• reusable
• paper
• cardboard
• egg
• carton
• affordable
• cockatoo
• large

[1cockatiel1]

it's funny that you can here your bird in the background.

[PhoenixBlackthorn]

@1cockatiel1 His cage is almost directly behind me in this vid, hence why he sounds so close. ;)

[bojanplaya]

2:26 did your bird just say "WTF" ? lol

[PhoenixBlackthorn]

@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]

@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

[PhoenixBlackthorn]

@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]

@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.

[calypsocowgirl]

just wounding if shells are harmful to birds? cuz i was going to make a bird toy out of some sea shells i have

[PhoenixBlackthorn]

@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.

[Suzakie]

@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