Fishing line safe for toys?

[bingalls]

I was just wondering if the use of high test fishing line in bird toys is safe. I'm well aware that fishing line in the wild is responsible for snaring and killing many birds, but I'm talking about short lengths used to thread beads and such on to. Some of the really heavy test line (40+ lb) is more like plastic wire than fishing line. I think most lines today are made of nylon, which I believe is fairly benign.

I searched the web, but couldn't find anything that spoke directly to this. Any comments?

-Brian

[The Outlaw]

Absolutely not. Its lethal. Please choose another stringing medium. You need to always choose something organic that birds can chew through should they become entangled. I no longer use stainless chain either. I have one of my macaws manage to get a toy strung with it around its neck and almost died. Unlike cotton rope, sisal, Paulie rope or leather thongs, you cannot cut chain with your hands or a knife. Just holding up a struggling macaw is tough enough. Now I'm very careful about what I choose.

[Lisa B]

NO...nothing that thin is good. If tangled, they can loose limbs, and even hang themselves. I'm sure you have heard of water fowl having to be rescued from fishing lines.
Paulie rope and thin leather(untanned) are good for smaller beads.

what kind of bird are we talking here?
Smaller birds such as finches canaries budgies and tiels, can SOMETIMES use zip ties to string beads. I never leave an end exposed, nor do I loop it around in ANY way.
I have a tiel toy I make. I use a short zip tie, and ziptie a small toy on the end.I used a helicopter, because my husband flies them..then I make holes in little popsicle sticks, and string them on.
I then take two beads to string ontop of the sticks, and bend the very end of the zip tie over into the beads. there is nothing he can get caught on, and once he chews the sticks off, I can restring more.
I can post a picture if its confusing.

[candi4me]

you can get sissal rope in different diameters, and it is safe for birds. you can even dye it with the vitacritter dye.
Candy

[svolk]

Originally Posted by Lisa B

Smaller birds such as finches canaries budgies and tiels, can SOMETIMES use zip ties to string beads.

I think I have read that zip ties are bad if they are chewed on (something about them being toxic? but I honestly can't remember at the moment, I may be mistaken), am I remembering incorrectly or are they ok to use in a situation such as you do?

[Lisa B]

Originally Posted by svolk

I think I have read that zip ties are bad if they are chewed on (something about them being toxic? but I honestly can't remember at the moment, I may be mistaken), am I remembering incorrectly or are they ok to use in a situation such as you do?

honestly I have not heard that before, but would like more info if anyone has any. Thanks for bringing it up.....the ones I use a clear...so wondering if that makes a difference?

edit...
been searching online and cant find any info on them.

[candi4me]

Dave and I have used Zip ties to hang nest's for our finch's.
Candy

[bingalls]

Thanks for all your input. Safe to say, it seems that nobody uses fishing line or endorses it. I just happened to think of it as I was considering different ideas for toys. I was more curious than anything.

What I'd really like to know is if the nylon is truly toxic to birds? I see that some folks are using zip ties that are made from some type of plastic (polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, or ??) Another reason I had considered the possibility of using nylon line is that stainless steel wire seems to be widely accepted for bird toys and I thought that since a high test fishing line is close to the same diameter, it might be considered as a viable substitute. In terms of chewing through it, I can't imagine many birds not being able to cut through fishing line in short order (as opposed to the difficulty in cutting stainless steel).

Can anyone attest to the fact that monofilament nylon line is indeed toxic to birds? I see all kinds of different plastics being used for parrot toys and these certainly don't qualify as "organic".

-Brian

[The Outlaw]

Its not the toxicity that's in question. It's the fact that it cuts like a razor and is difficult to see when they do get entangled.

[Macawlvr]

Originally Posted by bingalls

What I'd really like to know is if the nylon is truly toxic to birds? I see that some folks are using zip ties that are made from some type of plastic (polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, or ??) Another reason I had considered the possibility of using nylon line is that stainless steel wire seems to be widely accepted for bird toys and I thought that since a high test fishing line is close to the same diameter, it might be considered as a viable substitute. In terms of chewing through it, I can't imagine many birds not being able to cut through fishing line in short order (as opposed to the difficulty in cutting stainless steel)...-Brian

Brian...it would help if we knew what bird or birds you have so we could suggest a better alternative. Zip ties work for smaller bird toys but not well for most of the larger birds.
Nylon line is highly dangerous as everyone has pointed out and for the reasons they stated. You always have to consider whether or not a bird can be harmed by what you are using...can they be entangled in it and if so, can they cut through it with their beak. Toy's don't always stay the way they are originally made...as parts of the toy are chewed away, the string gets more and more slack and in the process of the bird playing with it...it can end up with it looped around a foot, wing or their neck with tragic consequences. I would stay away from nylon rope of any size also.

You were comparing the size of stainless steel to the nylon fishing line...I wouldn't be using anything that small in diameter including stainless steel. Stainless steel wire needs to be at least .063 in diameter which is 14 gauge. Depending on the size and strenght of the bird, it might need to be larger in diameter than that.

There are several good alternatives to use that are a lot safer...cotton and sisal come to mind...but even with these you have to keep in mind what will happen when the toy gets used and there is slack enough for it to become looped around a body part. Even with cotton, the ends can become frayed and the bird can get entangled in the loose ends...keep them trimmed.
I have macaws and I use short pieces of PVC pipe when making toys to take up the slack as parts of the toys are chewed away.
I also keep a close eye on the toys for any hazards as they become used.

Hope this helped...we're just trying to keep your bird safe...and to keep you from going through the tragedy and heartbreak of finding your bird mangled or dead from playing with a toy.

Seeya............................................. .................... James