Homemade parrot/macaw toy questions

[Macawlover12]

Hi,
I am currently making my own macaw toys, mainly out of kabobs, wood, baby toys, etc. I would like to expand and make more complex and interesting toys for my bird. I am currently using wood I find on trees like poplar, pine, dogwood, and other bird safe woods (that I bake to sterilize). It is a challenge to find enough materials that are derived from nature all the time. I am looking for some help with a few questions that are listed below. I appreciate any help that can be given.
Questions:

1. I have seen people on youtube using plastic juice bottles for foraging toys... is this really safe?

2.Does anyone know if the lumber labled "whitewood" at lowes is safe? (it is not pressure treated). If not do you know where I could get wood for making bird toys?

3. I would love to find a safe place to buy untreated manila rope... Any suggestions?

4. Any suggestions on challenging foraging toys for macaws, that can be homemade?

5. Any suggestions on good (cheap) materials for toys?


Thanks for any help with these questions!

 

[Macawlover12]

I found the answer to questions 3 & 4... I read in other blogs that the Manila rope from knotandrope.com is safe, but I emailed them personally to find out. I have not heard back yet.
If anyone has any answers to the other questions, please feel free to chime in!

 

[JerseyWendy]

I've used Sisal rope I purchase at Lowes for years, with absolutely NO ill effects. It's this one that I get: Shop Lehigh 1/4-in x 100-ft Natural Twisted Sisal Rope at Lowes.com=

I also buy untreated pine constantly (yes, I have 2 "wanna-be-beavers") for all my birds.

Here are some links for toys and supplies I've made myself for the big macs (and for the Amazons)

http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/38768-when-weather-outside-frightful.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/27017-diy-shower-perch-very-easy.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/27060-natural-toy-macaw-amazon.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/24431-macaw-toy-whopper.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/23756-diy-foraging-tube.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/23829-quick-easy-toy.html

I made a spherical swing today for my Amazons (or Macaw). THE easiest thing in the world, seriously, and it cost me just under $20.00 in materials. I found instructions on this online, and thought I'd give it a shot.

I'm really pleased with the results.

Prepping

Hunter & Sam approved

Attached to Java Tree

I think I'm getting a little carried away now. Just whipped these 2 together, all that's left to do is wrap with Sisal.

 

[Macawlover12]

Thanks Wendy!
I love your spherical swing idea and I will also look into that rope at lowes. I cant find wood labeled by wood type here, my lowes just says whitewood... I think I will try at home depot next to see if I have more luck there.

Thanks again for the great ideas! You have pretty much taken care of all my questions!

 

[Macawlover12]

P.S your amazons are sooo cute!

 

[Birdman666]

Those are really nice!

See, now mine all recoil in horror at atoms... It seems to be something they love or they hate.

I use sisal rope in my homemade toys. It's inexpensive, and bird safe.

Pine works. It doesn't last long, but it works.

 

[Macawlover12]

I've used Sisal rope I purchase at Lowes for years, with absolutely NO ill effects. It's this one that I get: Shop Lehigh 1/4-in x 100-ft Natural Twisted Sisal Rope at lowes

I went to lowes today but couldn't find the brand name Lehigh... I found bluehawk, is that what you get?

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hmm. No, I've never bought the Blue Hawk, ALWAYS Lehigh. If there is a phone number for Blue Hawk, I'd call them, JUST to make sure it's 100% natural, and not rubbed (preserved in oil).

I found this for you: http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/22543-blue-hawk-sisal-rope-safe.html

 

[Macawlover12]

I didn't think that bluehawk was safe, so I didn't buy it today. I was just making sure because I followed your link to the lowes website and it said they had it in stock. When I went to get it they didn't have any lehigh, just bluehawk :-(
I just placed the order for it online and had it shipped here.
I built a shower perch today after getting the materials today. It came out great!! Thanks for posting!

 

[MomtoPercy]

We demand to see pics of the stuff you make, ok?

I loooove those atoms, Wendy! I'm sure Percy needs one too!

PS : what is the blue tubing you used? I want to do a search for the instructions but I'm not sure what to enter into the search field?

 

[Mattroma]

From what I understand the white wood should be stamped and if it reads "SPF" that means spruce, pine or fur. These should be safe. I was told awhile back to discard the section with the stamp because there is a possibility the ink's chemicals may leach further into the wood. Not sure how true or necessary it is, but I would rather lose a few inches of wood, than loose my fids.

 

[JerseyWendy]

We demand to see pics of the stuff you make, ok?

I loooove those atoms, Wendy! I'm sure Percy needs one too!

PS : what is the blue tubing you used? I want to do a search for the instructions but I'm not sure what to enter into the search field?

Thanks so much, Michele.

The blue tubing is FLEX PVC. Here are the instructions on how to make the atom (there are several varieties you can make)
Spherical Swing | A Bird's Best Life
CPTT...atoms & boings

 

[Birdbrain91]

I have an Aton made out of PVC I was just going to put vet tape on it. Should I wrap it Lehigh sisal or the vet tape?

 

[JerseyWendy]

Whichever you prefer.

I won't lie, my hands took a beating when I was making all those swings and atoms, and wrapped them. Sisal is harsh on the skin, but the fids do love it. My macs tend to chew through the vet wrap, so I'm stuck with using the sisal for them.

 

[Macawlover12]

I just wanted to throw an update in here. I ordered the Lehigh sisal rope from lowes online and they sent me Bluehawk!! I called and they said it was the same thing, however I have read some negative things about bluehawk, so I returned it. I did call knotandrope and the representative claims that their manila rope is untreated. I am placing an order with them today after doing a bit more research. I never thought it would be so hard to find something as simple as manila rope!

I found a better selection of wood at home depot. (thanks Mattroma for clearing up the whitewood confusion for me) I also went hunting through the woods and gathered hundreds of pine cones!! They were easy to find because it has snowed, so all the new fresh cones were laying on top of it. I am baking them in the over at 225 as I sit here.

My partner and I are getting more and more excited! We still have a long wait ahead of us. The baby hatched Jan 21st 2014 (two days before my birthday) and will be coming home in June!!

I will try to post pictures soon of some of my creations!

 

[Macawlover12]

I have almost finished one of my projects, a stand. I ran out of rope and vet wrap. Its the first time I worked on something like this... so its not the best but I think my bird will enjoy it

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