Toilet Paper rolls

[Doris]

I was looking at a site for making forging toys and they stated you should not use toilet paper or paper towel rolls as they contain lead. Is this true and do any of you use these for bird toys. I never gave a thought to paper rolls containing lead.

[Casa Amazona]

I've never heard this and don't know of a site but would like to read of any info anyone can find on it. I give one of my DYHs these rolls all the time and he tears into them and demolishes them in nothing flat. This has been going on for a couple of years and he's never shown any ill effects. I've read that these rolls can be dangerous for smaller birds because of the danger that they might become trapped, but none of my other fids is interested in them.

[TooLover]

I, too, would be interested - lead in paper rolls? Never heard of it!

[Skyebirdsmom]

Originally Posted by Doris

I was looking at a site for making forging toys and they stated you should not use toilet paper or paper towel rolls as they contain lead. Is this true and do any of you use these for bird toys. I never gave a thought to paper rolls containing lead.

Now that is a new one on me. However, I HAVE heard not to let them chew on them as the glue has something toxic in it...think it's zinc...though I don't know how zinc gets into glue. I used to use them for foraging too till I heard all that. So, sighhhhhh, now I don't.
Better safe than sorry kind of thing.
Linda & HRC~

[Doug W]

Our GW chews on Toilet and Paper Towel Rolls all the time. She rips them into shreds and spits it all over the floor. They are actually one of her very favorite *and inexpensive* toys.

I too have never heard of lead or harmful toxins. We actually asked our Aviary Vet if they were ok and he said yes.

[Franciscus]

I have not heard about lead in toilet paper rolls but I have read that there may be formaldehyde in certain paper products (like paper grocery bags). I would just make sure the bird is not ingesting any of it or putting it in the water bowl in which case it could contaminate the water. Probably the safest paper products to use for bird toys would be paper cups, paper plates, coffee filters, or something else used to eat or drink out of directly (or prepare drinks with). I do give Razz entire rolls of toilet paper to shred up but she drinks out of a water bottle (what a Godsend that thing is) and is not usually too interrested in the cardboard tube.
If you want relatively cheap and healthy shreddable toys, hang some vegetables on a scewer or in a treat cage. You can use an entire head of cabbage for a large macaw. At our last parrot club meeting, a demonstration was given on the subject including cutting a cabbage in half, smearing inside cut with peanut butter and putting it back together. I'm sure it makes one heck of a mess but peace and quiet and piece of mind would be worth it.

[The Outlaw]

Hey, I've news for you. I actually given the macaws whole rolls of toilet paper and whole rolls of paper towels. Well, actually they got the paper towels themselves.

[TooLover]

Cool idea on the cabbage Frank - I may have to try that! Thanks

[Doris]

Well I asked my hubby about it and he thought the glue they used to make the stay together could be what they ar4 talking about. The tp rolls would be so inexpensive to use to. Oh well whats next? I guess I will make the toys out of paper like card stock.If any one wants to check this out it's on www.birdsjustwannahavefun.com Look on forging toys and see what you think. they also suggest using school glue Hey I guess if our kids can eat it it's ok !!

[Frugal Parrot]

Originally Posted by Skyebirdsmom

I HAVE heard not to let them chew on them as the glue has something toxic in it...think it's zinc...Linda & HRC~

This was just discussed on a Yahoo mailing list at Cheep Toys N Tips. This topic of interest for me as well. Here are a few sites I have been reading... some came for one of the list's owners and the others I Googled.


UNSAFE:
http://www.bluequaker.com/qn-jul-99.htm
http://www.exoticpetvet.net/avian/zinc.html

SAFE:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Con...=0&SourceID=28
http://www.westvalleypetclinic.com/birds.html
http://www.mecca.org/~rporter/PARROTS/csarky.html
http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/care2.htm
http://www.winrosevet.com/Birds.htm
http://www.rescuebird.com/articles/a...rd%20Care.html
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/loveb.../lovebirds.htm

I checked the unsafe ones. Neither site gave any references as to where they obtained the information. That this person is an avian vet, well known or not, isn't a good enough reference. I have seen good avian vets differ on too many things.

Personally, I don't use it. It's not that I believe the glue is dangerous or safe. There are so many other things for me to give my parrots. I don't find a need.
Hope this helps...

J. Kaye