Crafts Toys

can i use plastic string thread to make toys for my green cheek conure im goint o combine threads and make dif

ferrent shapes. and crafts to make toys for him i can i do this or is plastic string thread harmful for green cheek conures

Public Comments

1. Would not advise this. I would only use 100% cotton string. Plastic does not break down in the digestive tract and may cause serious problems.
2. NEVER USE STRING OR FISH WIRE SERIOULSY YOUR BIRD CAN and PROBLY WILL HANG HIMSELF TO DEATH IF THE STRING COMES UNDONE AND THE BIRD GETS TANGLED UP IN IT. I recently lost a whiteface female cockatiel I placed a toy in there with I bought from the dollar store made with string and fish wire and she hung herself before I woke up the next morning. I never in a million years thought for one minute a toy could or would kill my bird and I learned the hard way. IF you simply have to make your own toys make them with WIRE instead of string or fish string. At least WIRE can not kill your bird by hanging or tangle.
3. please do not use the plastic string. You can use rope this is what the pros's use and it gives your bird something else to chew. avoid treated string, twine, rope, your birds digestive tract may not be able to handle the treatment that is used. wood blocks make great chew toys in all shapes and sizes hang some on some rope, and watch the fun and the wood helps keep the beak trim. again do not use treated. Always make sure that any rings are big enough that if the bird can get his head into the circle that he can fit his whole body through, or he will get stuck(very sad). good luck
4. Making toys for your birds is a good idea, but always keep in mind what is safe...one way to begin making toys for feathered ones is to view the toy as if a young baby or curious toddler would be playing with it! By taking this approach it can be helpful when trying to make 'safe' toys for birds. Birds like babies discover with their mouths, hands(feet) etc...too small of items is dangerous as well as over sized objects to get stuck in or lengths too long to get wings etc wrapped up in. Many sites have toy ideas if you just go looking at bird boards, stores, forums, etc online. (birdboard.com,Birdnways etc) Use of clean products like sisal rope,pine woods,non painted or stained baskets,wreaths,blocks of wood etc...are a beginning. But only you & your increased knowledge can keep your bird safe. Learning what your species can safely be surrounded with (contents,material,size,lengths,area of play,etc) is an excellent beginning. You can easily see that not all bird toys are safe for all birds, a common sense approach is best. Parakeet toys are far too small, easily swallowed & torn apart , etc, by larger birds like a little conure or larger parrots. Plastic string is not a good choice for toy making, try to make toys that are simila to your birds natural environment. Like Pine Cones maybe slightly rolled in a small bit of peanut butter spinkled with some crumbs of nuts, grated carrot, etc.. Use a short cotton shoe lace to tie to the corner/side of cage, just enough to let bird nibble safely at. Try offering plain clothes pins (wood) or plastic ones without the spring~ large clear or white dominoes so bird can hold with foot & play with. The ideas are unlimited....safety is ALWAYS a priority! Look online for bird toy ideas...you will be amazed at all you can do to enhance your birds environment, safely fulfilling the chewing & foraging needs of your feathered one! Good for you for asking here....great start to learning a world of info available online~ check out birdboard.com, do a google search, Birdsnways etc...
5. I go to bird exclusive stores to buy all my toys because they have a better selection ( and I have so many birds!). They make bird toys out of everything imaginable. We have toys with wood, plastic, string, straws, plastic links, bells, even toothbrushes! One of my favorite bird toy sites is www.stanleysbirdcreations.com go their and just look at some of the things they make their toys with, then you know what you can use. We buy many of these toys for our birds and they love them. They are made out of things that if you have the time, you can do yourself. And I have a feeling if they were harmful- bird paradise wouldn't carry them.