Are bird toy parts on ebay really safe?

[CrypticDelirium]

So, I've read the sticky and found some lovely sites for making toys. However I've never made my own toys before, just raided pet stores for ones I've thought they'd like best lol. I'm wanting to start planning a giant epic toy tree with a casino theme. There seems to be a much bigger selection of toy parts on ebay, but I'm sort of uneasy about them.

Is there a way to be sure the wood blocks and plastic links couldn't just be labeled as bird toy parts and contain toxic paint or bits of metal?

There are also some "flavored" chew rings, which seem neat but I'm skeptical.

Has anyone ever used crape myrtle wood or ebay toy parts?

I'd soooo much rather be safe than sorry, and if anyone in the world knows for sure weather it's safe I bet they can be found on this forum!! lol

 

[Von1983]

I've ordered Cal toys from pet supply sellers on there and have basically just asked what the materials are made of.

One reply said "wood, rope and metal"

Yeah, I'm not going to buy that......

The ones I did buy assured me it was stainless steel and the wood was coloured with friendly artificial free dyes etc....

The only advice I can give is use the "contact seller" button to excess lol.

 

[Spiritbird]

There is a high risk the parts may be made in China. I avoid anything for my bird unless it is made in USA which is not always a guarantee. I would stick to the sites you are familiar with rather than go for the cheap and end up with a toxic bird.

 

[Dj tweet]

Do a google search for parrotsplay bird toys not only do they make and sell toys but they sell all the bits to make your own also
I generally just look around the craft stores for non toxic craft products
a note on flavoured wood : not only do the birds play with it but they also eat it and we would hate to have them injest a big chunk and puncture their crop
my advice would be to avoid them

 

[CrypticDelirium]

Thanks, exactly why I asked here! = ) I'd much rather know my baby's safe than save a few bucks, but it is unfortunate that the HUGE selection of ebay is no longer an option in my mind. I Will definitely go with TRUSTED toy part sites.

Thanks everyone ^_^.

 

[Von1983]

I don't know if the USA is the same, but UK Ebay (as it were) have Ebay shops. This is where I got mine from. It's literally people who own Pet Shops in real life who want to make a bit more by selling stock online too. That's why many of them are so happy to answer questions and know what they're talking about. If something came and it was poor quality, I'd return it or bin it.

The pet shops in my area are so limited. They all stock flimsy plastic budgie mirrors that I wouldn't actually put in with a budgie....

 

[2Birds3Kids]

I have made A LOT of my birds toys. I made a tree stand out of a large V shaped branch from back yard. I made a ton of "steps" on it with more branches secured with screws. (If you don't have any trees ask around - just make sure they are pesticide free).

I made chew toys out of small driftwood pieces, $1 store popsicle sticks, balsa wood and disinfected pine cones. Drill a hole through the p. sticks and wood pieces and string together. You can also koolaid dye untreated pine.

I went to my local lumber store and asked if they had any scraps. They gave me a 3.5 x 3.5 about 3 feet tall and another thick piece of wood for a base. I drilled holes all the way up it and put dowels all around it and hung a rope swing. I topped it with a headless screw to mount one of those plastic food dishes.

I bought some thick natural rope and some heavy gauge wire. As I opened up the rope slightly I was able to place the wire inside. I left extra wire at each end to make a loop. Zip tied the ends and wrapped with twine to cover. I used the bendy rope to make a swing and a boing. I made an atom out of some large embroidery hoops.

I made a shower perch out of a piece of bamboo and a stick. I split the bamboo and the suction cups just slid into the groove. Easy! I hope these ideas help.

 

[Quantumcat]

You'd hope if they are labelled bird toy parts, that they would be safe for birds.

Especially cause anything labelled as a bird-toy part costs 10 times as much as the equivalent item. If you know what you're doing and what questions to ask, why pay ten times as much for the same thing?

Look at this:

6 Huge Oval Wood Beads Bag Parrot Bird Part Make Toys - eBay Toys, Birds, Pet Supplies, Home. (end time 20-Sep-10 20:43:03 AEST)
Labelled as "Parrot toy parts", you get six beads for $7, plus $4.20 postage! They could probably go in an envelope for 60 cents. Who would pay $2 for a wood bead even in a fancy bead shop? Much less ebay?

There are a hundred and more wood bead listings on ebay, and at least someone of them must be safe. If you know the right questions to ask you can pay 10 cents a bead instead of $2.

 

[antoinette]

When I got my first bird, I bought toys that were "bird safe", purchased a swing from a reputable bird shop.
Only to find little pieces of certain toys rusted of chipped off, after a few days
Congo (my late AG) was picking at the pieces of rust.

I make all Mishka's toys from bits and pieces that I know are "bird safe"

Who better to trust than yourself !!!!!!

 

[Vivica]

I stick with pet store bird toys because I do not want to chance any contamination. It's up to you really, but maybe you want to look into crafting toys for your bird. it's fairly simple sometimes, so.