Where to buy cheap, safe wood

[lplummer52]

Where can you get safe blocks of wood for parrots cheap?

 

[ChristaNL]

Get a list of trees/ wood you want
Get another with the lethal ones you need to avoid
(do not mix these up!)



Furniture making shops, people who build staircases and cabinets etc.etc. - they usually throw offcuts away or sell them for fuel, as a bonus they *know* their wood, so you will not end up with treated wood by accident/ mistake.
Or get in touch with landscapers, treesurgeons etc. - as long as you can tell them which one you want / need to avoid they can find it for you.
I even talked with the guys that take care of the communal green- the city here will post where work on large trees will be done (closing of roads etc.) so go over for a chat (bring bribes like seasonal cookies, chocolate etc.) and they may actually cut some to size for you.

 

[lplummer52]

What about children’s building blocks? They gotta be non-toxic and cheaper than parrot toys.

 

[SailBoat]

Also, try your local Big Box Stores, which are common in North America. They had a short-cut barrel that they commonly place end-cuts. You really want to have the department staff help you to select 'White' (name not color) Pine Trim wood. The White Pine Trim wood is soft and easy for most Parrots to make into very small pieces.

NOTE 1: Since this type of Store also sells 'Green' wood (Treated Wood) which in used exclusively for outside applications. You really need to know with certainty what I am referring too. A Wood Department staff person can help in defining the difference. NEVER provide a Parrot with Treated lumber as it is very dangerous for Parrots.

NOTE 2: Heat Treated Lumber implies that it has been dried with heat to assure that there are no bugs in the lumber. White Pine with this note on it is safe for your Parrot.

Always remember to take your mobile (smart) phone with pictures of your Parrot(s) with you. You may just get even a better deal if you explain that the wood is for your Parrot to make into even smaller pieces.

Also, great advice provided above!

Wood shops are a great choice for wood pieces. Only warning is those shops that use Press (Chip) Board. This product is made by using wood chip and /or sawdust with glue to create wood panels. This product is not safe for Parrots.

 

[SailBoat]

What about children’s building blocks? They gotta be non-toxic and cheaper than parrot toys.

Great point and you are very correct! Only issue is Country of Manufacture, whether you are buying for Children or Parrots. China or like Country of Manufacture should not be trusted as to whether a safe coloring was used.

 

[EllenD]

A lot of people buy Balsa Wood, it's soft so it's great for small/medium birds to chew on, and it's very cheap...Available at any Hobby Lobby or Michaels Crafts in the "model" section, as it's used regularly to build models out of...It's very, very cheap and available in different sized blocks, planks, dowels, etc.

 

[noodles123]

What about children’s building blocks? They gotta be non-toxic and cheaper than parrot toys.

Not always so--- first of all, human infants can eat many things that birds cannot (avocado for instance). Additionally, babies do not have teeth, so manufacturers do not anticipate a child busting the block in half. I watched a video where Max the cockatoo had a screw in his mouth and his owner couldn't figure out where it came from---turns out it was on the inside of a children's letter block (the type you are talking about).

 

[lplummer52]

Good advice from all. Thanks so much!