Help!

[Ditty]

Ok here is the deal.  I have a HUGE box from bird.com.  I ordered this monsterous bird ladder for hollywood, but accidentally ordered 2!     I figured rather than sending it back i will donate it.  I have a huge java perch that HW hates anyway.  I wanted to donate that (cuz some bird will love it) but never had a box big enough.  Now I do for sure!  But of course if I donate the ladder and the perch i want to fill it up.  Soooooo looking for ideas on toys.  I am donating to Gilcrease Sanctuary.  (many different options of course but this being a large ladder and perch i need a place with large birds).  I have thought of many places and this seems to be the place that has the least really as far as resources go and the ethics I value.  If I am gonna send a donation I am sending a FULL to the rim box.  I have donated to places before but no box THIS big lol.  I have got my neice, my kids and a couple friends involved in making toys just need ideas!  So please SHOOT any at me!

[lorek]

Well I don't have huge birds... But I'd recommend leather toys if you can. All my guys but ESP andi seem to enjoy preening and chewing the leather... I imagine that and shedder toys would be best for birds that might be bored or pickets after the trauma they have endured lately. I put leather on every one of andis toys and she goes right for it!! 

[Ditty]

Leather ...check...got it here!  Done! 

[BPMar]

  Some inexpensive ones that are usually loved...popcicle sticks, straws tied together and coffee filters.

[Debz]

how about some ABC blocks strung on leather. With those tiny white wiffle balls in between the blocks.

[Mi Amore]

finger traps make awesome shredding material,puzzle pieces,vine balls,birdie bagels,nuts,natural rawhide chips or small rawhide bones,large dry noodles.

[Sondra]

Straw hats, mats, fans, purses, bags - anything made out of straw that can be filled, sewn together, or rolled. Unvarnished baskets of different sizes, woven bowls.

[wishforabird]

everybody here has great ideas!!!! I just wanted to chime and and say I think you are awesome Ditty. 

[Ditty]

WOOHOO awesome ideas people!  THANK YOU 

[sophiemae]

You're awesome Ditty! Those birds at Gilcrease really need the toys, they just don't have enough and go through them so fast. Some of the things Zimbasmom and I  made and donated to them where we took wood bought from the hardware store cut it into pieces and then used that and added things like playing cards pieces of fabric and wooden spoons etc inbetween each block. The toos and macaws just loved them. Another inexpensive thing we did for the littler guys was to bundle straws together and then pull them apart a bit and secure with a sip tie to the cage. Did the same with the corn husks that you can buy to make tamalies with, they loved shredding those too when in a bundle attached to the cage. We also took nuts and foot toys and put them into brown paper lunch bags as foraging toys. Hope that gives you some ideas, I know the birds there are just gonna love whatever you send, you should see thier eyes light up when they see new toys coming thier way, makes you smile and wanna cry at the same time.

[Ditty]

I did buy a bunch of brown bags, and nuts (remembered from you last time :)  ), i have a bunch of foot toys for the little birdies that I will place in a baggie.  I will get straws my birdies like those too. I love the ideas of shreaddies like coffee filters and paper cups, etc but with the other heafty items in there they will certianly be smooshed.   I will have to check out some baskets and straw mats etc.

[BPMar]

Is this the place?
http://www.naturesanctuarygilcrease.org/

[BuffaloParrot]

Great ideas everyone!   Great job Ditty!

[zimbasmom]

Yes D that is the web site, as you can see it is under construction but coming along nice compaired to what it used to be.

Ditty thank you so much, this place needs so much help  I am going to start making toys again soon so when your box arrives I will take a couple of batches of toys. I have told one of the board memebers that I want to adopt a bird or two from them when they get their act together  I want to rescue them all but I can't. Dont get me wrong some seem content/happy but many don't, like any bird some just dont do well in a big flocks or in a setting like that...they need more one on one time & attention and I hope one day soon I can do that for a couple of them.

I can see this place as being my pet project for a long time.

[BPMar]

So, Zim or Soph, you have any pics from there?  What do they all have as far as parrots?  They have mini horses and goats too???!!!  I would love to visit there...and of course with Soph, CT and Zim!  I would love to work or volunteer there as well...I would be in all my glory with all those critters!