Economical Foraging Ideas for Parrots

[Maria]

Specific questions I need specific, detailed type answers to.

Regarding this website: http://foragingforparrots.com/ideas/bel ... -foragers/
She is making and posting all great ideas for making foraging toys for parrots inexpensively.

Also, this link there, for example, regarding making foraging boxes: http://foragingforparrots.com/ideas/foraging-boxes/

Scotch tape? I was told by the parrot shop owner, "Avian Specialist", that adhesive is not good for parrots, and don't give them anything with adhesive on it.

How do we know the ribbon is safe or what kind of substances may be on ribbon which is not safe for parrots? (anything toxic to parrots). Same for that shredded paper she indicates using in the instructions she's giving on that page for making the boxes, for example, as she says you can get it from dollar stores, etc.

Need understanding. We can't just use any cardboard box, because it may be treated with something to make it last longer, for example, which may be toxic to parrots. How are we to know? Where do we get this stuff, supplies, with knowing that they're safe?

I bought a toy from the parrot shop, and surprised, I saw on it pieces of cut up box, with instructions of how to make/cook those food products, showing on those pieces of cut up boxes!! As well, playing card(s) pieces from a deck of cards! In relation to this, are we kind of warned/directed by parrot shops that certain things can be harmful to birds, for their businesses? Like so we don't save money finding inexpensive ways to make these toys to keep our birds healthily happily busy - - and instead buy the toys already made from the parrot shops?!

I am afraid to just buy and use pieces of saved paper clip boxes, and gift boxes from dollar stores, as she indicates in the instructions on that page of her site, for fear that I may be giving my bird something that is harmful to him! For example!

How do we know what is mostly considered safe, and what is not?! Because Hobby Lobby, and arts and crafts stores, and dollar stores have all kinds of stuff that can, therefore, be used for us to be creative and make our own toys!

We need to know !!!!!!!!!!!!! I definately want to know!!!

[marie83]

If your really concerned you could buy some plain card and make the type of boxes that fold up and don't need glue. I dare say there will be some sort of templates somewhere on the internet you could use or at least get some measurements and instructions from.

I use the small snacking dry fruit boxes, unused egg cartons and similar things when toy making. I've seen it recommended alot and never had any problems myself, nor have I heard of anyone else having issues.

Look into anything hard enough though and you will always get people saying ''this isn't safe'', ''I don't trust that'', ''the xxxxxx are just out to make money and don't care about safety/health/quality'' and many more examples besides. I'm not saying caution isn't needed but we need to let ourselves and our pets live a decent life too.
I tend to view everything with suspicion but just choose the things I consider to be the lowest threat, its absolutely senseless to worry about every single little thing but it is also a fantastic thing you are thinking about it too and not exposing your pets to big threats because you don't care/cant be bothered or just didn't think it might be harmful.

Think things through for sure, do your research but try to relax a bit too

[Maria]

Is it safe to say that at hobby lobby, their wooden pieces for making crafts, plastic beads, little baskets, little boxes, (of course popsicle sticks), and their paper items - are safe to use to make bird toys with?

And any wooden, wireless clothes pins, would also be safe, right?

[Eurycerus]

Is it safe to say that at hobby lobby, their wooden pieces for making crafts, plastic beads, little baskets, little boxes, (of course popsicle sticks), and their paper items - are safe to use to make bird toys with?

And any wooden, wireless clothes pins, would also be safe, right?

Not necessarily. A lot of wood is treated with various products to keep it safe from insects and rot, just keep that in mind. I know that quite a few people do use clothes pins (as seen in Michael's blog) and they're probably safe.

[charlieandkiwi]

How many parrots have gotten sick from homemade toys so far?

I've heard a lot about non-stick cookware, avocados, and certain plants killing birds, but how many have gotten sick and/or died from home made toys?

[marie83]

How many parrots have gotten sick from homemade toys so far?

I've heard a lot about non-stick cookware, avocados, and certain plants killing birds, but how many have gotten sick and/or died from home made toys?

I think most people that go to the effort to be bothered to put the time in to make new toys would tend to ensure the safety of the materials used. With toxicity of a homemade toy, who knows? the likelihood is that anything toxic wont kill a bird immediately anyway so its hard to make a link to that toy. Just like 1 cigarette wont kill a human instantly over a period of time is when the damage happens.....

That said there are stories out there about accidents with homemade toys. As I said before nothing is [b]no risk[b] so might as well just choose the better options to ensure quality of life at the same time.

[charlieandkiwi]

Here's another foraging homemade toy blog I found http://parrotenrichment.com/blog/catego ... ging-toys/

[charlieandkiwi]

I might have to do this this weekend:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0w34iIQ ... re=related

[pionus]

I hope this is the right place to put this, but I just had to share a video I found after watching the one that CharlieandKiwi posted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=en ... 6Ek28IW3f0

This guy really seems to care about birds and warned viewers about using safe branches. Plus, his stand looks great!

[charlieandkiwi]

I hope this is the right place to put this, but I just had to share a video I found after watching the one that CharlieandKiwi posted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=en ... 6Ek28IW3f0

This guy really seems to care about birds and warned viewers about using safe branches. Plus, his stand looks great!

Yeah it does!

For anyone just viewing this thread, the link I quoted here basically goes to how to build a large bird stand with natural wood taken from an outside free. The one I quoted above it is how to build a medium-to small bird stand with the same kind of wood. They are very similar videos, although the small one is obviously a little easier.