For those of you who make bird toys!

[cockatiel92]

what do you use, what have you made, and do you have any tips or pictures. thank you so much i needed some ideas.

[loyallyroyal]

I string stuff up with cotton yarn from Michaels since it doesnt thread, then I just use old toy parts, baby blocks with drilled holes, untreated wicker baskets from michaels, those cat balls with the bells, buttons, pony beads, ect.

[ndeben]

jade loves a wicker basket, Plain, just to tear up. she has a blast.

[Peanutbutter]

sisal & superior cotton rope ordered online. I am looking for 'natural' local, but so far no luck.
hemp from the walmart craft section is my main "toy" making fiber
wire from a Stainless steel whisk. (3$ walmart gives 8 or so 10-11 inch sections)
crunch balls (natural vine balls)
Chinese finger trap toys for kids
wood from "safe" trees that has been cleaned w/ vinegar and baked @ 200* for 30min.
Big buttons
Pony beads (walmart)
popscicle sticks
plastic chain... i like the small 1/4in stuff best... but the 1/2in fits the finger traps well.
Various plastic pieces I've ordered online.
Balsa and basswood planks from hobby lobby.
dowels
paper (newspaper is good too)
cat toy balls... with plastic bells inside. (walmart)
Regular drinking Straws
turned wood pieces and beads from hobby lobby.
coconut...
plain wicker baskets & hats (no threads or metal pieces, only NON shiny ones)
baby toys... especially shape sorter shapes that already had holes in them... great for foraging in
bells i ordered online

I've spent less than 50$ ordering parts online & I still have a BIN full of parts left to make new stuff.

A dremel is priceless!

I've made a lot of toys and posted pics in the DIY section. Do an advanced search for posts STARTED by peanutbutter to see them. The latest ones are in this thread (Scroll down towards the end):
Remade my PVC stand again

[Alyx]

Peanutbutter is the bomb when it comes to home made toys!! She makes Petland look like crap!

[SDavid]

I would guess that home-toy making (not just toys but play stands as well) would start out with a good set of the proper tools. Places like Loews and Home Depot have their own brand of "homeowners" tools that are much cheaper than the professional-use ones. So far I have a table saw (cost around 140.00, some are cheaper) from Sears for cutting 2x4's. A hand drill (about 30.00) with different size bits for drilling holes. A jig saw (hand held saw....about 30.00 also) and hand held files for smoothing out wood-ends. I've got some food coloring from the local supermarket for dying wood different colors. I have accessories that I stocked up on at the last Long Island Parrot Society (my bird club) Expo I went to.

That's all I have for now. I've only made like one large macaw toy so far. I've only begun with making toys at home. It was easier for me to just buy toys before but with a macaw toys are very expensive. Making your own pays off because a tough macaw size wooden toy easily sells for 50 or 60 dollars around here.

My advice...I try to use some tools for the birds toys only to keep them sanitary. I have other older tools that I use for home improvement stuff that I don't mind getting dirty.

[SDavid]

LOL....didn't consider you have a cockatiel and I'm thinking more of toys for the larger birds who are more desctuctive. Everything gets bigger at that point.

[KDK241]

The absolute favorite toy of my tiels is string from a 100% cotton mop head that I strung some plastic drinking straw pieces and beads on and just tied the ends. I had to make a few more of them cuz they would all fight over the one I had.

[omelettus]

... also
plastic straws, q tips
and willow branches
mine go crazy when i hang up some organic green beans
and/or dark leafy greens

i love the plastic shapes forage idea from peanut butter

[Maxlovesboating]

A good place to get toy parts is this website and they have free shipping cheap bird toys, bird toys, small bird toys, parrot toys, birdie bagels, wholesale bird toy parts, macaw bird toys.