Don't underestimate leather as a chewy toy!

[Betrisher]

I received a rather delicious side of cowhide for my birthday (lucky me!) and yesterday I sliced off a bit, punched a hole in it and tied it to a bit of sisal rope for the Beaks to play with. Well! I had no idea how much they would enjoy the sensation of chomping actual skin between those big shiny red jaws of theirs. They've been at it for hours and still hardly made a dint, although the flesh side of the leather is a bit the worse for wear. LOLOLOL! I just thought I'd post and remind you all that leather is a great chewy toy and, as far as I can see, quite a durable one. I'd never really thought of using it before now because I s'pose I didn't believe the birds would be much interested.

How wrong I was!

So, if you can, get hold of some nice, clean vegetable tanned leather for those of your birds who really enjoy a chew toy. You won't be sorry and neither will birdie!

Word of warning: DO NOT use finished leather products like shoes or belts or anything which has been dyed or treated in any way. The chromium, copper and alum salts in such leathers can be quite dangerous! If you don't want to purchase a side (which is a huge amount of leather: half a cow, in fact), buy leather scraps from a bird-toy seller or see if you can find someone who uses it and has scraps to give away. But remember: vegetable tanned leather only for pets.

 

[Betrisher]

Well duh! Sorry to reply to my own post, but I hit 'send' too soon.

The other great chew toy I found was the papier mâché form that hubby's camera parts came packed in. Turned upside-down, it looks like a castle or a fort and is about eighteen inches square and twelve high. Dominic looks like some kind of mediaeval dragon sitting on top of his toy and is enjoying its demolition with an unholy kind of glee. So don't be too quick to toss out packing materials: they can give your birds hours of fun.

 

[Allee]

Thanks for sharing the awesome tips, Trish! Vegetable died leather has many uses. I drill a hole in both ends of natural branches to attach them to the cage, the leather makes it easy to secure the branches and the wrapped leather around the ends doubles as a toy. Leather can be sanitized and used over and over, never toss the leather pieces from old toys. Some birds will spend lots of time happily untying knots in leather strips.

Trish, we must see what you create with the remainder of your cowhide! What a cool gift!

 

[Anansi]

Yes, I'm quite the fan of leather for toys myself. So very resilient and multi-purposed.

And thanks for the reminder about using vegetable tanned leather.

I've never tried the papier mâché material, but I think I will.

 

[RavensGryf]

The birds here love leather in toys, and especially knots to untie! I'm happy to hear The Beaks enjoyed it so much

 

[DexMom]

Yes, I'm quite the fan of leather for toys myself. So very resilient and multi-purposed.

And thanks for the reminder about using vegetable tanned leather.

I've never tried the papier mâché material, but I think I will.

I quickly read this and thought it said "I'm quite the fan of leather toys for myself" and thought Wow, that's pretty personal !

 

[Anansi]

Yes, I'm quite the fan of leather for toys myself. So very resilient and multi-purposed.

And thanks for the reminder about using vegetable tanned leather.

I've never tried the papier mâché material, but I think I will.

I quickly read this and thought it said "I'm quite the fan of leather toys for myself" and thought Wow, that's pretty personal !

Hahahahahaha! Yes, I opened the door and walked headfirst into that one, didn't I? Good one. I'm laughing out loud here at work and drawing curious stares. ROTFL!

Just to clarify, leather toys for my flock. NOT for me! Hahaha! And what they decide to do with said toys in their own private space is none of my business. Lol!

 

[RavensGryf]

Yes, I'm quite the fan of leather for toys myself. So very resilient and multi-purposed.

And thanks for the reminder about using vegetable tanned leather.

I've never tried the papier mâché material, but I think I will.

I quickly read this and thought it said "I'm quite the fan of leather toys for myself" and thought Wow, that's pretty personal !

Hahahahahaha! Yes, I opened the door and walked headfirst into that one, didn't I? Good one. I'm laughing out loud here at work and drawing curious stares. ROTFL!

Just to clarify, leather toys for my flock. NOT for me! Hahaha! And what they decide to do with said toys in their own private space is none of my business. Lol!

ROTFL! Had me cracking up too .

 

[Betrisher]

Here's the little practice piece I made to test my skill level (ie. very rusty - like my old tools! LOL!) It's a headband with a Celtic style owl pattern on it.

I found the design on the Net and then tweaked it and turned it into a vector to suit my purpose. Tracing it onto the leather from a printout was a bit ick because the paper dissolved on top of the too-wet leather. Mistake #1

I sharpened me little swivel knife to almost scalpel sharpness and then went cutting gaily away, gouging the Marianas Trench into the leather with my first sweep. Bugger! Mistake #2.

The leather was too wet, remember, so it dragged on me little swivel knife, which (being ultra-sharp) was bogged deep in the hide. Mistake #3.

Once my imperfect tracing and cutting were done, though, I found my old touch for tapping on the carving stamps came right back. So, while the outline of the pattern was very poor, the treatment of it was quite OK, all things considered. Now I need to make another little thing or two to consolidate the skills and then I might launch onto a Big Thing (such as a handbag for my daughter, a flute case for my son or a camera strap for my dear hubby). I'm SO excited at getting back into leather - it has always been my first love in a lifetime of twiddling with lots of arts and crafts. Oh, and the birdies get to chomp on the offcuts, which is also a Good Thing.

 

[Allee]

Nicely done, Trish! Very pretty headband. I'm glad you're enjoying getting back into something you love. I know the phloque will have fun with their share. Can't wait to see your future projects.

 

[Anansi]

Dearest Trish! THAT beautiful headband is you shaking off the rust?!? I absolutely love that owl design! Please continue to update us with each new work of art, my friend. You're quite talented!