Toy question

If I was to put bird toys in the freezer for a week would that kill any bacteria or viruses that could be on a toy?

I don't think so, it may work for some things but not all. Many germs/bacteria will slow down but become active again once they thaw out, and some even do better in cooler environments. And a virus is not a living thing, it cannot die in the same since as we would think of death. A virus instead needs to be damaged/broken down, in other words deactivated. I bet some might break down in cold temperatures but not the majority. Also, freezers aren't actually that cold, when I'm in lake Tahoe during the winter we keep some frozen goods outside in a secure box because it's cold enough, yet are fine to walk around outside in proper clothing for hours on end.

Have you heard of the product F10SC? It is a powerful and safe disinfectant when used properly. You might want to buy some to disinfect toys.

It would help to know what kind of toys and why you need to disinfect them? I don't really think freezing them is going to kill bad germs, rather just make them "hibernate" until the toy thaws out. I personally boil new toys to sterilize them. That is sure to kill any nasty outside bugs on the toy. When he gets the toys he already has dirty (like foraging toys, or he poops on something) I just wash them in the sink with hot water and vinegar. That is sufficient disinfecting for simple dirty toys. Any kind of paper/cardboard toys I don't bother sterilizing because I just don't think the roll out of the paper towels is germy enough to hurt him.

Cooperabian- I would NEVER use chemical disinfectant products (bleach, Lysol, soaps ect...) on something a parrot will orally come in contact with. Even if they are "pet safe", most other pets are significantly larger than a parrot and not as sensitive to chemicals. Even the tiniest bit of residue, if ingested, could sicken or kill a bird. Better safe than sorry.

Would boiling them take the color off of the toys?

Not sure if boiling would remove color. I do something similar to Kiwibird and soak/clean toys in warm water, distilled white vinegar, and a few drops of GSE.
I keep the same mixture in a spray bottle for cleaning around the house too; 50% water, 50% distilled white vinegar, and 1 drop of GSE per fl.oz. It's an easy, safe chemical free cleanser. I'm sensitive to chemicals and I know my birds are, this way I don't have to worry (and the vinegar smell dissipates quickly, my house does not smell like a sandwich!)

Kiwibird said:

Cooperabian- I would NEVER use chemical disinfectant products (bleach, Lysol, soaps ect...) on something a parrot will orally come in contact with. Even if they are "pet safe", most other pets are significantly larger than a parrot and not as sensitive to chemicals. Even the tiniest bit of residue, if ingested, could sicken or kill a bird. Better safe than sorry.

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Do you know about F10? Your probably right about using it on toys but it also might be safe. I'll let you know if I find out.

I do know people who evaporate it into a small container when their reptiles have upper respiratory and they inhale it and are fine. It's a accepted form of treatment with reptiles enthusiast and works great. It's said to be 100% safe for birds and other animals and it's a vet grade product.

If the toy is safe to put in an oven meaning chain and wood you can do a low temp for a long period of time and it will kill most bacteria. Be careful once removing the toy as it will be hot and let it cool down. Use common sense with the peices on it no plastic or fabric etc... This can be done with most wood toys and perches but is very limited to nothing else really:s.

Personally, the only thing I have heard of people doing is putting seed in the freezer to kill any kind of bugs that are in the bird seed such as fruit moths. Sometimes you see the little bugs buzzing around near the bulk seed. Doesn't hurt to freeze the seed, but freezing toys to kill bacteria's is not going to help. I use distilled vinegar and never had any issues.

maybe use the dishwasher?