GIANT pinecone- safe and how to prepare?

[Kiwibird]

I was up at some local orchards yesterday and one was selling GIANT pinecones from a tree on their property. The lady said the cones were not sprayed or treated in any way (it was an organic farm, so I trust them). I got one for Kiwi, but before I give it to him I was just wondering if it is safe and how to sterilize it?

I am pretty sure the pinecone came from this type of pine tree- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coulter_pine

 

[RavensGryf]

I bought a pinecone toy once (made for birds) and I noticed it has little sharp thorns at the tip of each "leaf" pointing downwards. I took my fingernail and broke the little thorns off. I don't think anyone was too crazy about it, it lasted a long time.

Maybe rinse any dirt off and bake at low temp?

 

[Kiwibird]

It's a little more "plump" but this one is about the size of a football The pine nuts in it are gigantic! I've given him ponderosa pinecones before, but never something like this lol:52: I thought it would make a great foraging toy.