FLEECE CUDDLER PARROT TOY

[Maria]

People: please help give insight as to what type of fleece material to use to make this, ESPECIALLY when it comes to "coloring". As we can’t use anything which is dyed for birds, because of chemicals in the dyes. I would assume fleece throws in the stores like walmart and walgreens are dyed!? I would think twice about just going picking up any fleece throw like in a store, without cautioning or questioning to this. In my research below I have so far found out the following, and have emailed about the following questioning as well. Information I've run across also in my research (below) indicates "polar" fleece is being used, and also that it can be purchased inexpensively at most discount department stores. And what is a "discount" department store? Is that just like any regular department store, like Sears, Foleys, Macy's, JC Penny? Thanks:

From: Maria
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2013 12:21 PM
To: 'Bird Tricks Staff' (birdtricks@gmail.com)
Subject: RE: ""Snuggle Buddy Toy"-fleece cuddler toy! So Interested! Have Questions!

Here is another statement about “polar” fleece: (from this link: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=7354&hilit=fleece&start=10) –

“If you're worried about safety make your own out of polar fleece, it has no proper weeve and so doesn't fray, any part that would've frayed just comes away”.


_____________________________________________
From: Maria
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2013 11:54 AM
To: 'Bird Tricks Staff'
Subject: FW: ""Snuggle Buddy Toy"-fleece cuddler toy! So Interested! Have Questions!
Importance: High

Dana? Or Patty? Or specialist for safety about this who can give insight, from bird tricks staff?

Would you please read my below email, and tell me what type of fleece is it which is safe to use for me to make this fleece cuddler toy for my parrot, as this lady did for her bird at this link? (http://fidslovetoys.webs.com/toyideas.htm). I am stating the criteria I’ve found out this far below in my email as well.

Is it “Polar” which is the kind of fleece which is safe?

And what about the coloring (referenced below).

Another link I was reading regarding how to make a snuggly parrot toy out of fleece, said “…made of “polar” fleece which can be purchased inexpensively at most discount department stores”. Here is the link, with instructions and photo, of how she made that toy: http://littlepawspetclub.blogspot.com/2 ... oy_27.html (scroll a little bit down the page until you see this title: How To Make A Snuggly Parrot Toy)
Thanks so much for your help.


_____________________________________________
From: Maria
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2013 10:08 AM
To: 'dally_birdy@hotmail.com'
Subject: ""Snuggle Buddy Toy"-fleece cuddler toy! So Interested! Have Questions!
Importance: High

Hi dally !  I saw your link (http://fidslovetoys.webs.com/toyideas.htm) about this and can’t wait to make one for my parrot to snuggle with!  I only have a couple of questions, because I want to make sure I use the safest materials for my bird. Can you please help or give any insight to the following questions? Thanks so much!

How do we know, as far as “dyes” which kind of fleece is safe to use?

Can’t use anything which is dyed for birds, because of chemicals in the dyes.

Bird safe coloring methods are: food coloring, vegetable dyes, (no chemical dyes), and non-toxic child safe inks, paints, and/or water based dyes, like the ones they use on children’s wooden alphabet blocks, are safe.

I’ve also seen things in parrot shops and pet stores made of fleece and felt, so there must be bird safe criteria for these, OR these pet stores may be in coordination with the bird toy manufacturers to put some aside with the “bird safe criteria” for the manufacturing of such toys.

Other bird safe criteria I found out for this material are:
"Felt, which is not a woven fabric, doesn't have the same issues as there are no threads to come loose to catch feet, toes, etc. Also artic fleece is safe for the same reason -- it is a nonwoven, bonded material, also without thread in it's make up." And "well made will have no outside stitches".

At this link: http://www.birdtricks.com/blog/dangerou ... cessories/

AND:
To check to see if it is labeled “flame retardant”. If it is, DO NOT buy it. Here is the process used:
Newer fire retardants, such as PBDEs, belong to a class of chemicals called halocarbons. They are extremely stable, making them useful for treating clothing. They will not break down when exposed to sunlight, water, detergents or other environmental factors, so the fabric will not lose its fire resistance over time. Unfortunately, this stability means that halocarbons that are absorbed into the body or the environment also do not break down. Instead, they build up through repeated exposure. Long-term exposure to these chemicals causes concerns regarding the potential for cancer and other health problems.

If the fabric states it is NOT flame retardant, much safer.

Per this link: http://www.parrottoyangels.com/newsletter/dec10.html
Scroll down to under: “Materials By Kim Perez” (a little more than half way down the page, left column.)

Please feel free to email back at your earliest convenience! My parrot loves to cuddle and preen, etc., and when I put a preening toys in the cage made of things like fanned out sisal rope, leather laces and strips, cotton rope and jute rope, soft and fanned out with little beads on them, and such like that, he also rubs his head up and down them at night . I know he would love this and can’t wait to make him something so cuddly, soft, and comforting!  But I want to do a bit of research first to be assured I’m using the safest materials. Thanks IMMENSELY!

[Maria]

A typical discount department store: Walmart.

AAAAAHHHHHH .

(this link:) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discount_store

[Maria]

FLEECE CUDDLER BIRD TOYS:

After receiving feedback by email and telephone from birdtricks.com

Supervision, and/or when home, take out when not home or when go to sleep – if chews. If chews, take out.

Generally she does not know of a bird safe fleece out there. Fabrics not safe, because be careful about The main issue with fleece and felt is that it is chewed and swallowed and is found as blockage in the crops of birds frequently.

A lot of bird toy manufacturers, sad, is that they don’t care.

Be sure and find manufacturers which say, yes, our products are bird safe. Don’t be afraid of taking the time to “interview” them.

IE: Just also saw at parrot shop, parrot toy of a ring with drilled almonds on it, only they used one of those metal SPLIT key rings! Instead of an “O-Ring” for the hanging part, to hook the quick link or pair link to. The split key rings are known in the bird world to never be used because the birds can get their toungues or beaks caught in the split, between the split, in the metal. This is a manufacturer which deserves emails, (which if I find out the manufacture, you know I will email!) – telling them about this, that they’re putting out UN-bird safe parts, asking them not to do it, and to care about the safety of birds. Word gets around, they will lose business, and think twice about caring, educating themselves about bird safety. Knowingly, I will take off this part, and just bought it for the drilled almonds, in order to make other toys with the almonds, etc. Don’t remember if I took off the manufacturer tag or not yet, but if it’s still there, you can bet I’m googling to find out their site and contact info, and they’re getting an email !

You might look for a vegetable dyed fleece. (like veggie tanned leather). You’d have to start searching via internet, I presume. Or white fleece, or look for fleece which says “natural”. And contact the manufacturer making sure it’s not bleeched, if it is white, or that white colored dye is not used, etc.

Question manufacturing substances, especially if things are not labeled.

Also, you could use blueberries, tea, and beets, boiling in water, to color yourself. They make a lot of color, and they’re safe.

These are some good thoughts to consider.

Weigh things out, and make your own decisions. Your bird has to be happy too. Bird tricks dot com lady I spoke to made fleece cuddle bird toy for her bird, and her bird does not chew it, and she doesn’t work so it’s under supervision, so she feels safe that way. Most birds may chew on them, to fluff them up to their satisfaction, for cuddling and sleeping with. It’s your discretion, etc. I am also glad I came across the flame retardant information. We want the safest for our birds. I certainly would not go just buy any fleece throw from walmart and use it, blindly, without inquiring about safety criteria for my parrot’s sake. The people who made these, in the links provided, did not post within the information what kind of “bird safe”, (if bird safe at all) fleece they were using. So, they apparently do not know.

[Maria]

I was thinking I could take some of that nice soft bird safe supreme cotton rope from one of the bird safe toy suppliers, and use it like this to make a cuddler. At least I would also know that it would be safe material. I had gotten some before from jungle beaks, and its so soft; it would be cuddly and warm. But you would sure need alot of it to make one of these.