some questions about making my own toys......

[looniebirds]

I am looking into making some homemade toys for my fids.  Jo Ann Fabrics has this stuff called Jute, which is in a rope form, the package says it is all natural.  Is this safe for the fiddies?  Also those craft popsicle sticks and ice cream spoons, are they ok?  I would be getting the natural color ones, not the dyed ones.  Also, I have seen homemade toys using wiffle balls.  Are these just those wiffle balls you can get at Dollar Tree?  Where can I get just plain cotton rope or plain sisal rope?  Micheals here does not have any.

Also, are branches from a cherry tree that is not ever treated with pesticides or anything ok for perches? :)

[BPMar]

I find all sizes of the whiffle balls at the dollar store and the Popsicle sticks.  Hmmmmm if you can't find the ropes at your craft stores or walmart try the hardware stores.  I think the jute is ok....all natural like you said and not nylon or synthetic.  Some baby toys are also ok to use....cotton shoe laces, natural coffee filters, straws, cupcake papers....
Have fun!

[chance]

I go to home depot for my rope, I actually use cloths line rope, it comes in all colors and is safe, I get wiffle balls  and many other neat things at the dollar store, the colored Popsicle sticks are fine to use. lots of neat stuff you can do at cheap prices.

[BuffaloParrot]

Leather straps that are naturally cured too.  Some mom and pop stores carry many toy making parts.  Keep on the lookout for those.  Also you can order toy parts very cheap online.  It is fun making them and you get creative and is really fun to do!

[zimbasmom]

Check out this site and make sure you download the Parrot enrichment activity book;
it rocks and will give you lots of ideas!

http://www.parrotenrichment.com/

also my fav web site for toy parts is: http://www.cabirdnerds.com/index.html

I also gets things at the dollar store (wiffle balls & foam sheets) & hobby looby(like the straw hats & grapevine wreaths)

oh one more thing I use sisal rope and small chains for hanging toys, always keep in mind hanging/chocking hazards...be carefull but have fun!

[Heartlets]

i wouldn't use branches from outside unless they've been cleaned very well. i used a branch from outside as a perch before and not long after, Griffin got bumblefoot. (a bacterial infection on his foot). the vet said it was probably from the perch. Bumblefoot can get bad enough that they have to amputate.  :o

[Ditty]

I use all kinds of stuff for making my own toys.  Coffee filters, non waxed paper cups and paper plates for the shreddies.  I use whiffle balls and small grapevinw wreaths all the time.  I use leather, hemp, jute, and cotton.  I get leather, hemp and jute from my craft store.  I get cotton from home depot too.
I tend not to use sisal, I just don't like how picky it is.  Jute makes a great wrap for  some perches and such since it is soft on the feet and if you get the thicker stuff covers a lot of space.

[macawlover2]

Is this safe for the fiddies? Yep, Jute is just fine for them. I use that same stuff (from Joanns) for toys all the time.

Also those craft popsicle sticks and ice cream spoons, are they ok? Yep! Pretty much all the wooden stuff they have at joanns is safe for birds, from what I've seen. There is an isle with bags of wooden beads which work well for toys too.

Are these just those wiffle balls you can get at Dollar Tree? Oh yeah, I get all the whiffle balls from the Dollar Tree. I think you get a pack of 6 big ones for $1, or 12 small ones for $1.

 Where can I get just plain cotton rope or plain sisal rope?  Try walmart. It's like 17 cents per yard there.

[looniebirds]

Thanks everyone!  I am going to go see what's at Dollar Tree today. ;)

If you all think of anything else, let me know. :)

Keep those suggestions coming! :)

[Jadesmom]

I bought a roll of sisal thread at Walmart for like 3 bucks in the craft section. I used it to tie up toys and shreddable stuff in the cages. Made braided chains to hang stuff with. Just make sure it is tight so on holes or openings. Then if they chew, its safe. It was a lot on the roll...lasted forever. And I love coffee filters. I make bunches I tie all over for them to shred. Jades favorite. I have a bunch of these wicker like balls I stuff and hang on the sisal rope tightrope I have strung in the birdroom. Bella loves to play with these and hang off them. Not sure exactly what they are...I got them discount somewhere for a buck a piece on line. Here's a pic.....I search the bird sites for clearance stuff every once in a while too. If the shipping is reasonable, you can do good sometimes. Also, I string a piece or 2 of this sisal rope as tightropes. The quakes don't use it, but it is a conures dream toy. At Lowes for 8 bucks for 50 feet. I also use it to tie the balls up. And a chunk tied on the cage here and there is good for hours of conure pulling and rolling around trying to get it off! And then there was the "bird net" I made with the sisal rope and string to hang in the window for Bella. I wove the pieces and tied at the cross sections with the sisal thread. Bella absolutely loves that and its held up great.

[zimbasmom]

Sweet!  AddEmoticons04239