Making toys without access to bird toy-part shops ;) Pic heavy and long!

[strudel]

You could start a bird toy design business. I'd pay for those!

 

[MomtoPercy]

Hehe...thanks Strudel

 

[Freespin]

I second strudel! Do you ship to New Zealand? Hehe

 

[strudel]

I'm serious, if you found the stock available in the shops lacking, you can bet your bottom dollar that others do, too. When I got my galah, I couldn't find much at the shop at first. There's a lot of budgie stuff in the "normal" shops, not so much the bigger birds, and there is a HUGE jump in price. Budgie things are a couple of dollars and parrot things are like $40. I didn't appreciate how much her "stuff" would cost until after I'd adopted her - if I had time, I'd do as Percy's mum has and make things myself. Also, the designs of things often don't seem to be done by people who "know" birds to make things that the birds actually like and want to use. Percy seems like a good product testing manager for your "new enterprise" "I'll just whip something up, and run it past my product testing manager to see whether it meets our high standards"

 

[Birdbrain91]

I've never made toys before because I'm afraid I'm going to poison my bird some how. So how do you know if rope has been treated or not. My hardware store sells sisal rope on big rolls with no labels. Are all baby/toddler toys safe? How do you clean and bake blocks and baskets? Baking wood isn't toxic for birds?

 

[getwozzy]

MomtoPercy you are AMAZING at making bird toys!!! I love this thread -all of your stuff is so inspiring! I can't wait till I have my craft room all set up!!!

 

[kq_fan]

Aw it looks like lots of fun! They look awesome! I love them!

 

[MomtoPercy]

I've never made toys before because I'm afraid I'm going to poison my bird some how. So how do you know if rope has been treated or not. My hardware store sells sisal rope on big rolls with no labels. Are all baby/toddler toys safe? How do you clean and bake blocks and baskets? Baking wood isn't toxic for birds?

If the rope is not labeled, I'd be very cautious. I suggest you ask your hardware store for their supplier's details and find out from them directly.

ANY toy could be hazardous. Baby toys are not all suitable. You have to use good judgement to select a toy for your fid and it helps to know his play style (some birds eat plastic, others don't, etc). A rule of thumb I stick with is 'hard/brittle plastic is a no-no. Oh, and be careful of toys that are put together from 2 halves (if that makes sense). A determined bird can seperate the halves just enough to get a toe caught.

When you say 'blocks' I'm assuming you mean wood blocks? Well, I just wash (scrub them down) them in clean water (if they are *dirty* I wouldn't use them anyway) and then bake at a low temp in the oven to dry them thouroughly. Same with wicker baskets. The baking does not make them toxic. Remember though - only use untreated unvarnished wood and wicker.

 

[BirdyMomma]

You are AMAZING!!!! Thank you so much for sharing all of your knowledge and experience!!! Beautiful toys!!

 

[DallyTsuka]

amazing!! i think this thread should be stickied, because this is just phenomenal for those who want to make their own toys! Percy is incredibly lucky!!