Sensory toys? Interesting textures that are safe?

[charmedbyekkie]

I've come to slowly realise that Cairo loves exploring new textures. When he encounters a new texture, like a toothbrush head, he can spend minutes just exploring and will keep going back to feel it. Right now, he has an acrylic colour matching toy that has interesting ridges (it's a 2D chicken), but it's too small that I don't feel safe putting it in his cage with him.

Any sensory or interesting textured toys that are safe for parrots?

I've put in the regular wood blocks, a loofah, a toothbrush head, metal spoons, plastic rings, empty toilet paper rolls, and his foraging plants. But they're not diverse enough to keep him interested in exploring.

Any recommendations? Mind you, he's an ekkie, so he's more than happy to shred flimsy plastic toys. I'm wracking my brain to find new (safe) things around the house to give him to entertain him in his cage.

 

[noodles123]

Avoid toothbrushes-- I know a guy whose bird played with them a lot and had to have chelation therapy due to the tiny metal pits that hold bristles in place.

 

[noodles123]

there is that crinkle paper if he isn't too "nesty"- it can be fun

 

[Owlet]

Maybe look at stim boards made for children with autism and other such conditions? Something like this; I dont think this one specifically would be safe without heavy supervision but if you had the materials you could probably make your own and use safer materials

 

[SailBoat]

Not sure what is equal to an American Hardware Store or the larger version called a Big Box Store. But they are filled with various products with different surface texture from nuts and bolts to door latches, plastic pipe pieces and a wide cross section of various 'stuff' of interest.

If its all about the joy of investigating the surface, near anything is safe (short the sharp stuff). If there is a joy of taking things apart, well that clearly change what things you can provide (like you didn't know that one ).

Always use your nose to determine if there are any concerns, i.e. those smells that so commonly define specific dangerous chemicals.

 

[charmedbyekkie]

Yep, I was actually thinking of creating a sensory board, but with a seagrass mat instead of the wood board. Just wondering what other things I can find around the house to hang there.

I double-checked the toothbrush head - no metal in there, so I think we're relatively safe, but I'll keep an eye on it if I see it disintegrating slightly.

I also added a fork, and he's loving it. He also is enjoying an empty plastic bottle - the screw texture at the mouth is fun for him.

I had been tempted to buy toddler toys for him, but I don't think they're particularly safe for his sharp beak that likes to take apart things. I can't even give him a plastic ball with a bell inside because he breaks it open too easily.


Apart from nuts and bolts (uncoated), any other thoughts on household textures he can explore?

 

[Owlet]

Recently I discovered Lincoln likes chapstick tubes and to decap them so I emptied one out for him. what about one of those?

 

[noodles123]

Maybe look at stim boards made for children with autism and other such conditions? Something like this; I dont think this one specifically would be safe without heavy supervision but if you had the materials you could probably make your own and use safer materials

That would be cool--- but you would want to make sure the metals were stainless etc.

 

[noodles123]

Finger traps are kind of fun....chop sticks....vegetable-dye Popsicle sticks...This website could be a good starting place for ideas. https://www.mysafebirdstore.com/Products-TOY_PARTS.html

 

[Pds]

I would look up Bristle blocks for children

you can buy them online or look for used ones. (just wash them out very well before use)

 

[noodles123]

Mine really likes those stupid bird kabobs (the wooden ones...like balsa texture almost)? She will destroy them the same day she gets them, but she really enjoys the process lol.