Twine or shoe strings ok?

[bingbing]

I am redecorating bingy's cage today and since I have started frequenting here I have come too realize that I sometimes put him in harms way trying too entertain him. I am concerned about what to use for hanging a couple of items he enjoys playing with. I have used twine and shoe strings in the past are these safe for him. 3 years no issues and he isn't a chewer :14:

 

[Pampa]

Sorry no one answered. I would like to know too since I use twine to tie toys to Pampas play tree and cage top playpen.

 

[Flboy]

This is so much interest to all of us! Your baby is getting lost in the middle

 

[charmedbyekkie]

No personal experience here, but I know a few members here have stories of rope and twine fraying to the point their birds either caught their toes inside and chewed off said toes or the birds accidentally hung themselves!

Because I know I'll be away from the house for hours at a time and that it generally takes me 25-30min to rush home (average time usually 40min), I don't plan on keeping things that can fray inside. That being said, perhaps you could settle for keeping a very close eye on the state of them inside.

As for alternative methods of attaching them, I've seen other members use key rings or leather since they're both less risk of catching on toes or poking through a beak. For more inspiration, I've been looking at Stephen's posts (check out Anansi) for how he does up his play stands.

Just careful with this: WARNING TO ALL PARROT OWNERS - Now On Way To Emergency Vet

 

[SassiBird]

Shoe strings are fine. Twine, you want to make sure it hasn't been treated with anything. Twine can have things like creosote on it. (not good!)

With either one, make sure you don't leave any loops that can become a noose for your bird to get a head or a foot stuck. Best to tie it tight and leave no loops.

 

[EllenD]

When using some type of rope/twine to hang toys, you want to make sure that it is all-natural, not dyed, and not treated with any chemicals...So you're looking for things like Hemp, Jute, and untreated Leather that is not colored/dyed.

The leather generally will not be a risk of hanging them or of them getting tangled-up, but as far as the Hemp or Jute twine, be sure that you check all of it inside of their cage on a daily basis, and immediately replace any that looks to be fraying and that has lots of stray-ends that they could get their feet, toes, or necks caught in.

Be sure not to use anything fuzzy, as just like the "Happy Huts" they end-up picking the fuzz off of it, which then builds-up throughout their GI Tracts, and this will eventually kill them by blocking their intestines...

The other thing you can use to hang toys, as opposed to twine/rope, are metal chains. Make sure that they are stainless or galvonized steel and are not coated with anything or plated with anything that they can pick off and ingest. Places such as Lowes, Home Depot, and yes, even Walmart sell many different sizes of chain that you can then attach a safe, screw-in fastener (not the spring-loaded, caribiner type). They are sold at Walmart in the aisle that has the Command Fasteners/Strips, next to the Furniture-Moving dollies, pads that they slide on, and right next to the paracord they sell. The aisle is near the tool section. They sell a lot of different diameters and lengths of stainless-steel chains cheaply.

 

[bingbing]

thank you very much.

 

[Inger]

I read somewhere that chain isn’t necessarily safe either. Little feet can get caught in it. When I get a toy that has a chain that I want to put in the cage, I cover the chain with vet wrap. Otherwise, toys with chains stay out in the supervised play areas.


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[Skittys_Daddy]

The fact that chewing isn't an issue does increase your options. But you also have to consider 'fraying' and how nails can get caught in them. I know that cotton rope is safe for hanging toys and there are some kinds of chains you can use- but you have to know whether or not its been treated with anything (you don't want to have to deal with metal toxicity).

 

[bingbing]

Thank you all again for the input. I truly have a heightened awareness to the things that could harm my friend due too the information on this very sight. I am thankful for that.
I like your idea about the vet wrap and if I am not mistake you or another wrapped your wrope perches in it as well very good idea. I appreciate the help too have a safe fun environment for my bingbing.

 

[Inger]

I only have a rope perch outside of her cage, but my CAV suggested vet wrap if I wanted to put one inside.


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