Safe materials for making toys and play stations

[Jojo]

Safe materials for making toys and play stations

Wood

Wood must be natural and unprocessed or have been dyed with food coloring. It is also very important that the wood is cut in the right direction so that it does not shred. There must be a clean cut when the toy is destroyed by the parrot, all in order to avoid the small wooden splits with which the bird could get hurt.

For my part I use the natural pine wood and dowels sold in stores as well as java, balsa, chola cactus, manzanita, yucca, willow and elm sold in specialized parrot shops. I also use birch and apple branches previously disinfected, rinsed and dried out that we all have around us.

Laces, ropes and fibers

Vegetable leather laces are very popular with parrots. Whether you use leather or rope, the material used must be natural, free of chemical treatment and have been dyed, if necessary, with nothing other than food coloring. If a scent emerges or if you have any doubt in your mind, do not use this product.

Ropes and fibers should also be natural or have been dyed with food coloring. Among the fibers and strings often used in toys manufactures, you will find cotton, sisal, sea grass, cuttlefish, vines, straw, cork, raffia as well as palm, coconut and banana fibers.

Plastic

All painted plastics should be avoided. The dye must be integrated within the plastic, not painted over. PVC is often used for the confection of parrot play stations but for my part I prefer the wooden play stations. Acrylic is often used for toy bases and indestructible toys. The plastic is often controversial when it comes to small beads or small rings that parrots can break. For my part, I never had any problems with pieces of plastic toys that contain or that were purchased in specialized parrot shops. To use under supervision.

The metal

Whether you use bells, chains, screws, nuts, rings, links etc. ... all parts used in toy confections and play stations must be either in stainless or nickel plated. Other materials may cause metal poisoning and should be avoided.

Links for toy confections

To help you in your toy confections, here are some useful links:
http://onafricanwings.com/Parrot% 20Enri ... 20book.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/mavimet/files/PEAB.pdf
http://www.cheepparrottoysntips.com/knots10.html
http://www.companionfids.com/enrichment ... ybooks.htm

Be creative, have fun with your bird and even if your toys are not as aesthetic as those sold in specialty stores, the goal is to keep your bird busy during your absence and he will not see the difference.

Great toy confections!