New CAG owner- paper and wood toys?

[JanineC]

Hello everyone, wonderful to find a place to interact with other bird owners. :)

I have been introducing my new 5 month old girl to new toys and wanted to give her a variety of SAFE toys. I noticed that there are some CAG owners that give paper, shoe boxes (with treats inside) paper towels and the like to shred up. Although it seems to entertain them I am sure they must be ingesting some of this and I am concerned that it could cause digestive or constipation problems?
I had lined my CAG's play area with plain paper towels and she went to town shredded and tearing off pieces into little balls. I am not so sure she is not eating some of it, so I took it off...kinda worried.
I have seen where they sell in pet stores the little cardboard boxes with treats inside, is that safe?

I also introduced her to a Balsa Wood hanging toy I purchased and she has shredded that up pretty good. Should I worry about her getting wood slivers in her throat or digestive problems with wood toys?

This little girl seems to be pretty aggressive with chewing and her toys, and if given plastic that seems quite durable she manages to break off a little piece, so I had to take that away. I know they need a variety so they don't get bored, so what are some of the best types of toys that will be safe and what should I avoid?

[Lisa B]

i have a grey who likes to shred toys. i ususally stay with planet pleasure toys or Molly's bird toys. being in the business, i see many toys out there that shouldnt be made or need to be modified to be safe.

i also let mine make spit balls with paper towels**LOL**

While I do know alot of greys that like the balsa, my guys didnt care for it.

we have to use caution, but cant be overly scared.
The cardboard boxes you mention are used for foreging. they also make plastic toys you can refill, the same way.

[DynamitePsycho]

Just echoing what Lisa said. Foraging toys made of cardboard are one of Ziggy's faves, and I'm pretty sure he's not ingesting anything. Growing up with a TAG and now having Ziggy, I've never had issues with wood toys splintering and hurting the bird, but you do have to be cautious about the toys you do choose.

[Dana64]

The bestest, cheapest foraging "toy" ever (an idea given to me by Michelle & Fids, thanks Michelle!!) is: take a paper cupcake liner (found in any grocery store) and wrap a favorite treat/nut in it. I then bury in Mackie's food bowl or in one of his toys and he goes NUTS... loves loves loves it.

Plain paper bags... Mackie goes right inside and shreds his way out and he has a hilarious time...

Plastic water bottles... or Mackie's personal favorite, plastic Smirnoff "mickey" bottles. I don't drink that much so he doesn't get them that often, but I will rinse them out (of course!) and screw the top back on as tight as I can and he LOVES LOVES LOVES to work the top off... he can do a water bottle in 30seconds flat... the Smirnoff bottles take awhile longer, that's why he likes them so much....

They don't eat the paper or plastic at all... they just like to break it up, shred it, etc.

[JanineC]

Thanks for the tips! I have been closely monitoring my girls chewing habits, and she seems to really like to make a mess of the Balsa Wood toy. But with any plastic, I have seen her actually eat it, so I guess wood is good and for her plastic is out. I will have to try the cupcake thing, good idea!