Well, there are quite of few sites out there making toys by hand. Be sure when purchasing from any websites selling bird toys that you do your homework. Some things people use to make toys are not safe for every bird or any bird. On the norm a bird doesn't ingest non food items, but it could happen. NO toy should be ingested no matter how safe it is. Think about it most birds that play with toys put them in their mouth. Chain, quick links can all end up in the mouth especially birds who love shiny things. Make sure they are nickel or stainless steel. NEVER zinc, brass, or any other metal other what the two I mention. Play it safe yes stainless and nickel cost more but it's your bird worth it or the peace of mind of knowing that you have a safe toy. Nickel is affordable and safe BUT it will wear over time down to the plain steel core. Stainless steel is stainless forever and will never rust or tarnish. Stainless steel is highly expensive but for a toy that will last a long long time and will be washed on a regular bases its the best way to go.
Vegetable Tanned Leather
Well, there are many ways to tan leather I did my research this week learning about leather tanning. Vegetable Tanning process uses ingredients found in vegetable matter, tree bark, and other such sources. It is supple and brown in color, with the exact shade depending on the mix of chemicals and the color of the flesh.
If you bought a toy and the leather is a color other than tan it most likely is not vegetable tanned. You can test other leather part to see if they are indeed veggie tanned by soaking in water. Its not stable in water and will discolor and if left too long in water will shrink and become hard. If you boil it, it will shrink and become very hard, rigid and brittle.
Raw Hide is leather kind of, its made by scraping the skin thin, soaking it in lime, and then stretching it while it dries. Used for many things but we know it for making dog toys. I do not use Raw Hide in toy making.(swede leather is never veggie tanned)
ROPE
Sisal, un-oiled and chemical free. Sisal will looked oiled normally its darker in color and has a strong odor. If purchasing sisal on your own from a store contact the company by email or phone to ask what is used in manufacturing their sisal. Do you own research for peace of mind. Keep all ropes short!
Cotton rope unbleached, supreme cotton rope (looks like a cotton mop head)... KEEP ALL ROPES SHORT. Keep your birds' nail trimmed too for safety. If you bird has extra long nails be sure to take them to the vet for a check up.
Plastics, Soft or Hard are fine as long as your bird does not ingest them. Make sure they are not coated with anything to make they shiney. Make sure the beads are large enough for your bird. Beads are easy to find at craft stores and come in lots of sizes. Rarely are very large beads found in craft stores.
Never never used painted wood beads or lacquered. Know the wood the beads are made from if the package doesn't say contact the company. I contact companies all the time to insure i am using a safe product.
Whiffle like balls are great, birds love them and they are safe for most birds. Make sure you buy the kind with round holes and not slats those are not a good idea. We only use the round hole balls we also offer 3 different sizes too.
Styrofoam to me this is just common sense no no no don't use it, it crumbles up easily and could easily be ingested! Foam, no no no too soft and easily could be ingested. what is foam made out of polyurethane?
I think so at least some foam is and some toys made out of foam contain this. Would you put polyurethane in your mouth? NO have you ever used polyurethane? I have and it stinks really bad you have use it in a very ventilated area because it can be toxic is inhaled.
I think so at least some foam is and some toys made out of foam contain this. Would you put polyurethane in your mouth? NO have you ever used polyurethane? I have and it stinks really bad you have use it in a very ventilated area because it can be toxic is inhaled.
Just a little rambling about toy safety, this just scratches the surface really. When you are not sure about a product leave it on the shelf! Contact companies ask as many questions as it takes. Go the extra mile spend a little extra money if need be to get a safe toy. Most of all have fun with your birdie companion and provide him or her with the best possible life you can give. The love you get from them can not be measured by any means.
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