Re-using toys

[GreenWing]

I've found success in re-using old toys... for instance, taking strips of leather, and tying the beads from former toys and then knotting the leather strips together. This toy made from former toys allows my sennie to be busy for HOURS and I save money! It's a win-win situation!

I also sew; sewn strips of (washed) fabric works well for this, too.

Has anyone else tried this, and got creative when making new toys from the leftovers of old toys? If so, please share how you did it, inquiring minds want to know

[Michael]

If nothing else I save broken off pieces for foot toys. Also I'll consolidated used toys by hanging them together or moving the pieces from one to another. Usually giving left over toys to Truman is a sure way to finish them off

[friend2parrots]

I've found success in re-using old toys... for instance, taking strips of leather, and tying the beads from former toys and then knotting the leather strips together. This toy made from former toys allows my sennie to be busy for HOURS and I save money! It's a win-win situation!

i think this is a great idea. i have a huge basket full of toy parts from former toys that i save for this purpose. i string together on undyed organic cotton yarn or some other natural fiber rope, or undyed leather cord, and between the beads, toy partrs, etc, i also string in some dry pasta, like large size ziti (you can bore a hole into the dry pasta with a needle or pin, and then handle it like a bead) Ringo likes to nibble on dry pasta (i wonder if anybody elses bird likes dry pasta? ) so the dry pasta pieces attract him to the toy. sometimes i add a bell to the whole get-up. (and its usually a bell from a previously broken toy! )

[independentminded]

I've found success in re-using old toys... for instance, taking strips of leather, and tying the beads from former toys and then knotting the leather strips together. This toy made from former toys allows my sennie to be busy for HOURS and I save money! It's a win-win situation!

I also sew; sewn strips of (washed) fabric works well for this, too.

Has anyone else tried this, and got creative when making new toys from the leftovers of old toys? If so, please share how you did it, inquiring minds want to know

One of the toys that my Congo African Grey Parrot, Aziza has is a blue plastic rummage box with slots attached to one side of her cage. What I've done with several old toys of Aziza's is to cut them up into pieces and fill the rumaging box with them. It works, because Aziza has a field day with that, especially if the toys are rope and/or thick pet store-bought cardboard.

[Maria]

Yes, of course, some toys are definately reusable. Especially toy bases (the foundation parts used to build the toy onto, attaching things to it. This usually is a piece with holes in it.). Plastic beads, etc., also. But be sure you're of course cleaning reusable toy pieces, plastics, and hardware, etc., beads, etc., to avoid any type of bacterial infections. It's just like us, after we eat using our dishes, we wash them (mouth bacteria included). Once your bird chews on it, after the toy is spent, and you break down the toy reusing the parts, etc., wash them, before adding them to other toys you make, etc. You don't want your toys and toy parts infected. Be sure to keep them clean.

Your bird, after he eats his food, is then going chewing on and playing with the toys also, therefore food getting on the toys. Food bacteria growth.

Very important.

[GreenWing]

i think this is a great idea. i have a huge basket full of toy parts from former toys that i save for this purpose. i string together on undyed organic cotton yarn or some other natural fiber rope, or undyed leather cord, and between the beads, toy partrs, etc, i also string in some dry pasta, like large size ziti (you can bore a hole into the dry pasta with a needle or pin, and then handle it like a bead) Ringo likes to nibble on dry pasta (i wonder if anybody elses bird likes dry pasta? ) so the dry pasta pieces attract him to the toy. sometimes i add a bell to the whole get-up. (and its usually a bell from a previously broken toy! )

GREAT ideas! I positively LOVE the idea of using dried pasta tied into a toy! I think I'll try this myself. I have some sparkly thread, and I'm thinking of stuffing a hand-sewn bag (e.g., organic cotton fabric) with newspaper, sew it, and then stitch reused beads and pasta onto the bag! Thanks for this fab idea, friend2parrots! I'll post some pics of the stuff I create... please, everyone else, do the same

What I've done with several old toys of Aziza's is to cut them up into pieces and fill the rumaging box with them. It works, because Aziza has a field day with that, especially if the toys are rope and/or thick pet store-bought cardboard

Yes! I like this!

But be sure you're of course cleaning reusable toy pieces, plastics, and hardware, etc., beads, etc., to avoid any type of bacterial infections.

Good point, well said.

[Pralina]

Another way is to take a big woven round basket, something like a large plate made out of natural seaweed or straw, and fill it up with old toy leftovers, cardboard pieces, veggie leather, and put it as a centerpiece on your dining table (or bird table)... it looks beautiful like a pot-pourri but attracks the birds and makes them chew and forage as well (especially if you drop a few treats on the bottom of the basket.... )