There are things that can be bought, as well as things around our own houses, which are not only cheaper (than buying toys at the parrot shop), BUT are ALSO – “SAFE” (non-toxic, etc.) – for parrots.
Some people say throw one of those large telephone company books in the cage, they love to tear it up. I disagree with that, and would not do that with my parrot, as the ink is really not healthy for them, neither is the adhesive used for binding the book. Not safe.
When you walk in a parrot shop, you see hanging chew toys for the cages, made out of things which you can put together yourself, and buy cheaper elsewhere, even at dollar stores, etc.
For example:
See this link of a picture of a wicker wreath. These I have seen in dollar stores, but also I have seen them sold as foot toys for 4 and 5 dollars a piece! How would we know whether or not the ones in the dollar stores are treated? Or ones like these in hobby lobby?http://i00.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/390502310/wicker_wreath.jpg
Regular rope, how do you know whether or not it’s treated with something? See this link. Rope is also used to make parrot toys.
http://factorydirectcraft.com/pimages/20060317090441-985625/14_all_natural_sisal_rope_50ft.jpg
And just small wicker baskets? Some could be safe, but some – if they have any type of glue or adhesive on them whatsoever – they are not safe. Like little wicker basket we could attach, with the basket used to forage out of. And again, how do we know whether or not the wicker is treated, from ones from dollar stores or places like hobby lobby?http://cdn100.iofferphoto.com/img/item/146/157/653/5Ggs.jpg
This particular one, I would say, uses some type of adhesive, just by looking at it, with the other parts put on it. Also, if it has any type of staples helping to hold on the handle, not good.
But in this picture (another topic on this forum), look at this basket. It looks safe. The picture is from where rebeccaturpeinen is showing how she makes home made parrot toys.
(See in posted attachment).
- small wicker basket parrot toy.jpg (19.64 KiB) Viewed 16819 times
You see, and even a lot of these things can be bought at places like hobby lobby, and dollar stores. The thing is, when you buy toys at a parrot shop, you know for sure that the parts are not treated in any way, and any coloring is done with food coloring, which is safe for birds. If you were to buy these parts at other stores, you don’t know whether or not they are treated with anything, or what they use for coloring – so you don’t know what substances might be used on them which may not be safe for parrots.
Wooden blocks
These blocks, being that human baby’s put everything in their mouths, I would assume whatever is used to put the colors on them, is also safe for parrots. Is it food coloring? Or what exactly is it? These same type of blocks are on hanging chew toys in parrot shops, for example. And like the ones of parrot toys from parrot shops are kind of a little smaller, and they’re just your regular, original, old-fashion looking alphabet blocks for human children. See link this link for example so you know what I’m talking about:
http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/63431/63431,1211409624,4/stock-photo-a-stack-oif-children-s-alphabet-blocks-spelling-the-word-baby-on-a-white-background-12937486.jpg
Straws
Can we just get any types of straws? All different kinds of colored, striped, and clear straws are on hanging chew toys in parrot shops.
Cardboard
Cardboard pieces are on hanging chew toys in parrot shops. How would we know if we tear up a box just from anywhere, whether or not the box has been treated with something – anything – like treated with anything for preservation, strength, etc.
The owner of the parrot shop where I bought my parrot, put out a list of toxic woods. I will post that as soon as I can also.
I’ve also stumbled along a website which shows they make parts for toys for parrots, which they say the parts are safe. Woods, etc., etc., etc., wood pieces, blocks, etc. People can buy the parts to make their own toys. But I would imagine this would also be almost just expensive as the toys in the parrot shops.
With the toys in the parrot shops, also, you’re paying for the manufacturer to make the toys. But also, people are trying to find ways to make toys themselves cheaper. The key to THAT is how to find out which products are safe.
And what is “DIY”?
