Is food coloring safe for birds?

[Raz]

My jenday conures love chewing on papers and I really want to make them forging toys instead of just fruits and seeds wrapped in newspaper. I went to the store to buy some Easter filling for my birds but realized I don’t know what they use to dye the paper so I decided to make my own with food coloring. I’ve got La Flor coloring. Any answers or tips?

 

[Terry57]

My jenday conures love chewing on papers and I really want to make them forging toys instead of just fruits and seeds wrapped in newspaper. I went to the store to buy some Easter filling for my birds but realized I don’t know what they use to dye the paper so I decided to make my own with food coloring. I’ve got La Flor coloring. Any answers or tips?

I use food grade food colouring, which it looks like that is. I mix mine with a little 70% rubbing alcohol as it helps the dye to dry faster, and that is especially important on wood.
When I do paper I splatter a bit of the different colours on it lightly so it dries fast and you won't need alcohol for that. I let the papers dry on a cooling rack like you would use for cookies and it dries very quickly.

 

[SailBoat]

Coloring had been a serious issue in days long past. But, with child safety laws near all Food Colorings are now safe. One must always be safe when buying as the source still remains an issue. China and the counties South of it still have issues from time to time. So, know your source.

With product that is already printed and ending up under your Parrot or for play, Stay away from Glossy Printed papers.

 

[Raz]

I use food grade food colouring, which it looks like that is. I mix mine with a little 70% rubbing alcohol as it helps the dye to dry faster, and that is especially important on wood.
When I do paper I splatter a bit of the different colours on it lightly so it dries fast and you won't need alcohol for that. I let the papers dry on a cooling rack like you would use for cookies and it dries very quickly.

Thank you so much ! I was planning on letting the papers sit in the water but splatters would be easier and appealing!! Thanks so much <3

 

[Raz]

Coloring had been a serious issue in days long past. But, with child safety laws near all Food Colorings are now safe. One must always be safe when buying as the source still remains an issue. China and the counties South of it still have issues from time to time. So, know your source.

With product that is already printed and ending up under your Parrot or for play, Stay away from Glossy Printed papers.

( I’ve seen coloring just for birds somewhere so I’ll have to check it out

 

[CosiGirl]

I recently washed a bird toy and the colors on the vine part started to run. Manufacturer says the dye is bird safe (Super bird Creations). What do we think about dye once it has met water?

 

[SailBoat]

Clearly, once a safe food coloring is exposed to water and begins to run, it volume of chemicals used to make it reduces rapidly. As with any food coloring that is used for non-food application, one of the great concerns is that it may cause your Parrot's poop color to change as well.