Toy safety

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JerseyWendy

New member
Jul 20, 2012
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If anyone has doubts and/or questions about the safety of a certain toy/toys, this is the section to post in. :)​
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Additionally, please feel free and share your toys with us here.​
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Our objective is to keep our fids safe from any possible harm. :)​
 
On behalf of Num Num, and Safari, THANK-YOU SO MUCH!!!

I am grinning from ear to ear :)
 
I have some questions about safe materials/supplies for home-made toys for a green cheek conure... I think I'm in the right thread this time!

First, would it be safe to string beads on pipe cleaners/chenille stems? They would be so easy to shape and could hang almost anywhere.

Next, are the flexible silicone cupcake cups safe for birds? I saw a picture in which someone strung several together with string, one on top of the other, and then placed little treats & toys inside each, like little baskets.

And finally, is the shredded, crinkled basket/gift bag filler paper safe for birds to chew?

Thanks so much! Any advice or input is appreciated!!!
 
JennyB, I think some of these things are pretty much up to the individual. For example, I let my birds have all kinds of shredded papers because I know they don't swallow them - they only pull at the shred and discard it. Likewise, I'd probably let them have the silicon cupcake cups because they'd demolish them but not eat them.

The thing is, another bird might not. Another bird could ingest some of those materials and possibly get a lethal gut obstruction! The only solution is to watch your bird and get a feeling for what he might do with the toys. Everything you do is at your own risk. :(
 
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #6
JennyB said:
First, would it be safe to string beads on pipe cleaners/chenille stems? They would be so easy to shape and could hang almost anywhere.
Click to expand...

I would NEVER use pipe cleaners. I tried researching what type of wire is used in those, and I haven't been able to find a definite answer. Pipe cleaners use 2 very thin strands of wire and chenille is twisted in between. I'd be afraid that a bird might accidentally ingest some of that chenille.

JennyB said:
Next, are the flexible silicone cupcake cups safe for birds? I saw a picture in which someone strung several together with string, one on top of the other, and then placed little treats & toys inside each, like little baskets.
Click to expand...

Hmm, I know silicone bakeware is safe to use around birds, but I don't know how safe it is to use for toys. I found no answers doing several searches.

JennyB said:
And finally, is the shredded, crinkled basket/gift bag filler paper safe for birds to chew?
Click to expand...

Yes, gift bag paper is fine. :)
 
Thank you both very much! I think I'll definitely pass on the pipe cleaners... she may be little, but she's fantastic chewer, so the chances of her ingesting the chenille are high! I had the cupcake cups drying on the counter last night and she was very curious about them, so I think I will give them a try tonight. She loves rubbery textures and chews on the "nubs" of non-slip hair bands for ever, but has never swallowed them to my knowledge!
 
You can also pick up cheap cupcake liners or the small candy liners. Yesterday we picked up a pack of cheap coffee filters at Ollies. All would make the same type of treat baskets without as much worry.

I do use foam for our birds, couple of them love to shred foam, but like was mentioned, just watch and make sure whatever you use is just being shredded.
 
So this afternoon I made a foraging toy using the silicone cups since I already had some. They turned out O.K. and I filled them with millet, Birdie "Salsa", and Nutriberries because she loves these & I knew she'd be more willing to try it out... SUCCESS!!! She warmed up to it in no time and was climbing up & down the cage to check each one out. I'll refill them and leave them on the outside for a few more days until I'm sure (or as sure as you ever can be) that she can't get herself in trouble with them! Also, I strung some beads and stretchy fleece on plastic lacing and tied that to the top of the cage. She is currently "cussing" it out and shaking the you-know-what out of it, so that's 2! I'm so proud of my brave little bird!!!
jennyb-albums-jellybean-picture11256-silicone-cupcake-cups-foraging-toy.jpg

She still won't try the coin rolls, though!
jennyb-albums-jellybean-picture11258-paper-coin-rolls-stuffed-nutriberries-shredded-paper-she-won-t-play-yet.jpg
 
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I bought these today. Please advise if you think these are safe or not. Thanks!

All Living Things® Waffle Ball Bird Toy | Toys | PetSmart (Melon loves it)


Insight Activitoys Hol-ee Roller Bird Toy | Toys | PetSmart
(the brand I bought is JW, Melon doesn't like it much)

All Living Things® Palm Leaf Tower Bird Toy | Toys | PetSmart (Melon loves it, but I can tell this can be destroyed very quickly)

I also have this one
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HICVEY/ref=asc_df_B004HICVEY3388753?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=nextagcom0f-20&linkCode=df0&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B004HICVEY&ascsubtag=-8826336171725905642"]Amazon.com : Sweet Feet and Beak Large Treasure Chest : Pet Toys : Pet Supplies[/ame]

Also, will parrots eat rope strands and wood pieces?

Thanks!
 
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Ninjette said:
.....

Insight Activitoys Hol-ee Roller Bird Toy | Toys | PetSmart
(the brand I bought is JW, Melon doesn't like it much)



Also, will parrots eat rope strands and wood pieces?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I'd be careful with this one (Hol-ee Roller) because of the bell inside.

If you see rope strands (frayed or chewed rope), I'd cut off the frayed pieces to possibly prevent tangled toes, or tangled limbs.

Mine don't 'eat' rope or wood pieces, but they sure love making toothpicks out of anything wood.
 
JerseyWendy said:
Ninjette said:
.....

Insight Activitoys Hol-ee Roller Bird Toy | Toys | PetSmart
(the brand I bought is JW, Melon doesn't like it much)




Also, will parrots eat rope strands and wood pieces?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I'd be careful with this one (Hol-ee Roller) because of the bell inside.

If you see rope strands (frayed or chewed rope), I'd cut off the frayed pieces to possibly prevent tangled toes, or tangled limbs.

Mine don't 'eat' rope or wood pieces, but they sure love making toothpicks out of anything wood.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I planned to return the JW one because Melon doesn't like it.. prolly because of the smell of the rubber

Melon loves to chew on rope, wood, metal..... anything.. just don't want him to eat them
 
Oh my goodness, I am so thankful for this thread! Sammy's cage has both a snuggly hut and a toy will a bell on it! Yikes!
 
I haven't had any issues with bells for my guys, but I always supervise playtime with those sorts of toys.

Some places sell stainless steel "safety bells", which I plan to eventually buy and use for toy making.
I love the sound of chimes and bells, so I encourage my flock to play with those sorts of things. I also plan to get some stainless steel cups and measuring spoons and the like to hang up for some fun, safe noise making.
 
Hi I've read on birds of beauty that using PVC pipes for foraging toys is a big no no because of the chemicals. Is this true? I was all set on getting some PVC pipes and making some foraging toys and Than I read this.
 
Mamaof3 said:
Hi I've read on birds of beauty that using PVC pipes for foraging toys is a big no no because of the chemicals. Is this true? I was all set on getting some PVC pipes and making some foraging toys and Than I read this.
Click to expand...

PVC pipes are safe for birds. The PVC pipes that aren't safe are the black PVC pipes. They leak formaldehyde. The chemicals used in MAKING PVC pipes are extremely toxic, but once the PVC pipe has been made already and makes it way to the stores, they aren't toxic. So the white/gray ones are safe.. The black ones (called ABS) are not. I hope this helps!! :D

EDIT: After some research, PVC pipes are safe so long as your bird isn't chewing on the actual pipe. By doing this, the bird chews on the glues in the PVC pipe. You can wrap it in vet wrap or hemp rope (hemp rope is recommended) to protect your birdy.
 
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I've seen some homemade toys using wicker baskets or mats to create a play wall of sorts, by attaching various items to the mat using leather ties or plastic links. I'd like to make something similar for Dexter.

I'm wondering how to tell if a basket or grass mat is bird safe. I was going to pick a basket up from the craft store as a base, but I was concerned that the materials may have been sprayed or treated with chemicals during manufacturing. Is there some type of labeling to look for? Is there a way I could treat it first to remove toxins? Or can I just assume it's OK as long as it's not colored, painted or varnished?

Also, what about plastic or wooden items? I've seen homemade toys made with plastic household items, dice, wooden blocks, playing cards, straws, pieces of foam, etc. How can I tell if an item is safe to use for toy making?
 
Be careful of wicker mats or grass from craft shops. Its not only the fact they may have been treated but some contain thread kinda like fishing line . You don't want that in your cage.

Straw's I use all the time. Actually the dollar store is a great place to buy them. Also playing cards. I would not use foam but someone else might speak up about that.
Coffee filters are great for making a shredder for them and at $1.00 per 50 its a good deal. Also the Grape vine wreaths are fun for them. The one i buy says it is untreated indoor use only . <--

No you can not remove toxins. If it has been treated i would not take the chance.
 
I've bought a couple wood toys for Perjo and she really chews them up, and I cannot tell if she is trying to eat them. There are pieces of the wood on the bottom of the cage, but it's too difficult to tell if all of it gets spit out by the bird. I've removed those toys for now.
 
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