Friday, October 12, 2007
Parrots and Toys
I have seen some strange things during our time rescuing birds and I would like to point out a few things that have just floored me when it comes to peoples thoughts on bird toys.
Here is a sample of some of the things I have heard "he doesn't like toys he just wrecks them" or "this is the only toy he hasn't destroyed". Well, birds do wreck toys. That is what they do. They use the toys to keep themselves busy and it also helps condition their beaks and nails. There are many types of toys such as preening toys, foraging toys, swings, wooden toys, leather toys, feather toys, foot toys, paper toys, you name it there are toys for just about everything. We all know toys can be expensive however this is an expense that any bird owner should count on as a monthly expense when you own a parrot. Toys should be changed regularly and if they are destroying the toy then WONDERFUL! Then the toy has fulfilled its purpose and the bird is getting exercise and conditioning and stimulation!
Toys can be made out of plenty of house hold items or even things found in the dollar store. It doesn't have to be a huge expense! Having 30 plus birds here at any given time and forced my creative juices to flow in order to keep these guys in toys.
One of my favorite secrets that I am about to share is the Goodwill Store as they typically have bins full of small rattles and plastic chains and little stuffed animals the birds love to pull apart! You can get a bag of small toys for around $2.00! The dollar store is also a great place. You can find baby blocks, plastic spindles, popsicle sticks, beads, plastic golf balls and any number of other items that can be used to make toys!
All it requires is a little imagination and within minutes you can have many different enjoyable toys for your birds.
One trick I like to use as you obviously have internet access to read this is to do Google search parrot toys and you will have more ideas then you will know what to do with!
I hear people say sometimes that their parrot does not like toys because they show no interest. There could be several causes for that. One is that they do not play with toys everyday but once in a while they will destroy a toy until it is gone. The other reason is probably because it is not the right toy!
The birds should have a variety of toys made of different items. Your parrot will probably chose one or two as a preference. If these ones are getting destroyed then they are obviously the parrots favorite and should be offered up regularly to the parrot.
Toys with paper for shredding are usually a favor for many birds. Newspaper or adding machine rolls can make a wonderful toy that the birds can spend hours destroying! Make your toys colorful and bright and they will bring plenty of hours of busy beaks to your bird.
What is even more important is to ensure that the materials you use are safe for the bird.
There are lists of safe woods posted on the site as well as an article about zinc and metal poisoning that should be read before making toys for the parrots.
Here is a list of safe materials:
- Wooden or plastic beads
- Almost anything plastic
- Adding machine rolls
- Vegetable tanned leather strips
- Stainless steel nuts and bolts
- Anything stainless steel
- Popcorn can also make great toys
- Popsicle sticks
- Wooden skewers for shiskabobs
- Plastic golf balls
- Unbleached coffee filters
- Straws
- Cotton rope or stainless steel chain can be used for threading and hanging the items
- Chunks of wood made from pine or apple branches are wonderful! Be careful about the type of woods you use. Make sure to research which are safe! Cedar is definitely NOT safe!
- food coloring or Wiltons cake icing coloring makes vibrant colors of your wood and comes in a great variety of colors!
This is only a small list but out of the list can come 100's of toys!
Some tools that can be used:
- a drill for drilling holes through wood and plastic
- scissors for cutting the ropes, leathers, straws and coffee filters
- a bowl for mixing the food coloring
- a pan for drying the objects that have been colored
- a hole punch can be used for items that do not require a drill
With the above items or even a partial list of items can make hours of enjoyment for your parrot!
I do not find toys that are indestructible to parrots of any benefit. First the birds don't typically like them, they do not help in the conditioning process and last they are extremely expensive!
There are also a few online clubs for making parrot toys. If you find you are lacking in imagination you can always join a club or purchase toys at your favorite pet store!
Here is a sample of some of the things I have heard "he doesn't like toys he just wrecks them" or "this is the only toy he hasn't destroyed". Well, birds do wreck toys. That is what they do. They use the toys to keep themselves busy and it also helps condition their beaks and nails. There are many types of toys such as preening toys, foraging toys, swings, wooden toys, leather toys, feather toys, foot toys, paper toys, you name it there are toys for just about everything. We all know toys can be expensive however this is an expense that any bird owner should count on as a monthly expense when you own a parrot. Toys should be changed regularly and if they are destroying the toy then WONDERFUL! Then the toy has fulfilled its purpose and the bird is getting exercise and conditioning and stimulation!
Toys can be made out of plenty of house hold items or even things found in the dollar store. It doesn't have to be a huge expense! Having 30 plus birds here at any given time and forced my creative juices to flow in order to keep these guys in toys.
One of my favorite secrets that I am about to share is the Goodwill Store as they typically have bins full of small rattles and plastic chains and little stuffed animals the birds love to pull apart! You can get a bag of small toys for around $2.00! The dollar store is also a great place. You can find baby blocks, plastic spindles, popsicle sticks, beads, plastic golf balls and any number of other items that can be used to make toys!
All it requires is a little imagination and within minutes you can have many different enjoyable toys for your birds.
One trick I like to use as you obviously have internet access to read this is to do Google search parrot toys and you will have more ideas then you will know what to do with!
I hear people say sometimes that their parrot does not like toys because they show no interest. There could be several causes for that. One is that they do not play with toys everyday but once in a while they will destroy a toy until it is gone. The other reason is probably because it is not the right toy!
The birds should have a variety of toys made of different items. Your parrot will probably chose one or two as a preference. If these ones are getting destroyed then they are obviously the parrots favorite and should be offered up regularly to the parrot.
Toys with paper for shredding are usually a favor for many birds. Newspaper or adding machine rolls can make a wonderful toy that the birds can spend hours destroying! Make your toys colorful and bright and they will bring plenty of hours of busy beaks to your bird.
What is even more important is to ensure that the materials you use are safe for the bird.
There are lists of safe woods posted on the site as well as an article about zinc and metal poisoning that should be read before making toys for the parrots.
Here is a list of safe materials:
- Wooden or plastic beads
- Almost anything plastic
- Adding machine rolls
- Vegetable tanned leather strips
- Stainless steel nuts and bolts
- Anything stainless steel
- Popcorn can also make great toys
- Popsicle sticks
- Wooden skewers for shiskabobs
- Plastic golf balls
- Unbleached coffee filters
- Straws
- Cotton rope or stainless steel chain can be used for threading and hanging the items
- Chunks of wood made from pine or apple branches are wonderful! Be careful about the type of woods you use. Make sure to research which are safe! Cedar is definitely NOT safe!
- food coloring or Wiltons cake icing coloring makes vibrant colors of your wood and comes in a great variety of colors!
This is only a small list but out of the list can come 100's of toys!
Some tools that can be used:
- a drill for drilling holes through wood and plastic
- scissors for cutting the ropes, leathers, straws and coffee filters
- a bowl for mixing the food coloring
- a pan for drying the objects that have been colored
- a hole punch can be used for items that do not require a drill
With the above items or even a partial list of items can make hours of enjoyment for your parrot!
I do not find toys that are indestructible to parrots of any benefit. First the birds don't typically like them, they do not help in the conditioning process and last they are extremely expensive!
There are also a few online clubs for making parrot toys. If you find you are lacking in imagination you can always join a club or purchase toys at your favorite pet store!
Labels: parrot rescue, parrot toys, safe toys for parrots, toy making
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