What kinds of wood?

[Betrisher]

Just imagining that I could, maybe, find a source of timber offcuts. Not tree branches, I mean dressed timber offcuts like from a mill or somewhere. What kinds of timber should I look for so that my Alexes can have a chewfest?

Today, I got some cardboard fabric tubes (bolts) from Spotlight and my husband is going to slice those into bagels for the Beaks. I've also got a coconut and a couple of calcium based perches. These won't last long, though (as you all know). LOL!

I utterly refuse to pay megabux for birdie toys that I could make myself, so I'm thinking a source of timber would be very useful. Also, will any old vegetable tanned leather do for toys? My cousin makes limb prostheses and can ship me scraps of leather offcuts regularly. What else? What else? Is there any kind of rope that I absolutely shouldn't use? I've got a lovely hunk of sisal sitting her beside me and the Beaks have shredded that before I even opened it.

Hoping some of you can answer my questions?

 

[weco]

Here's a link to lists of both safe & not safe woods.....
Bird; Birds: Safe, Toxic Trees, Woods. Safe Tree Wood. Parrots. Parrot cages.

For rope, sisal is generally considered a good choice, but be sure it has no oils, water proofing and/or preservatives.....

Leather needs to be vegetable oil tanned.....

 

[gemini84]

hi trish, when it comes to making timber chew toys for my guys i use untreated pine. the thin stuff doesnt last to long but i cut it into little squares and thread them onto sisal and hang up or leave as a foot toy. the thicker chunks last a bit longer.
i dont mind how quickly they get thrugh it because it only costs me about $1p/m.

 

[Betrisher]

Aha! Thanks for that! Where do you get it from? A hardware shop, timber mill etc etc?

 

[gemini84]

i just get it from the local hardware store

 

[birdy_numnum]

HI you should try and use Guava tree wood, i have a pair of alex.and they love to chew on the Guava tree wood. its safe and fun for the birds. the reason its safe because they love the guava fruit, out where i come from its one of their staple diet.