Toys

[Peanutbutter]

I DONT think pipe cleaners are safe.
~

California Bird Nerds--Simple Joys and Safer Bird Toys Best prices, great selection, really nice.

Parrot Toys and Toy Parts Great prices, great selection, Email to order, really nice.

I've ordered from both these stores & have no complaints at all. :)

I get my SS wire for Toys from a kitchen whisk I cut apart....

I get beads, dowels, wood beads & things, wicker baskets, sucker sticks, balsa planks, and basswood planks from HobbyLobby.
Walmart has Hemp string and twine... and more beads, Practice Golf Balls (small whiffle balls), & Popsicle sticks.

PVC for play gyms-- Lowes. :) super cheap.
Vet wrap for play gyms-- Atwoods Farm & Ranch Supply. super cheap.

I got some great plastic shapes for foraging from a baby shape sorter toy... and some plastic shot glasses.

and naturally I save parts from store bought toys.... I really only buy toys that have at least *some* reusable parts. :)

HTH

[MissV]

Originally Posted by chinniechantel

OMG pipe cleaners! Duh. Thank you for that pic, I have been using wire and that is really annoying, pipe cleaners is a great idea. I love those wreaths from the dollar store, my bird loves using them as a swing and then destroying it.

Pipe cleaners are not a great a idea....like the previous poster said. They have wire in them that is more than likely zinc. They're not meant to be chewed on by anything, let alone birds. 0.0


Zip ties are awesome and cheap and take a bit to destroy. Go for zip ties instead!

[MissV]

Originally Posted by Peanutbutter

I DONT think pipe cleaners are safe.
~

California Bird Nerds--Simple Joys and Safer Bird Toys Best prices, great selection, really nice.

Parrot Toys and Toy Parts Great prices, great selection, Email to order, really nice.

I've ordered from both these stores & have no complaints at all. :)

I get my SS wire for Toys from a kitchen whisk I cut apart....

I get beads, dowels, wood beads & things, wicker baskets, sucker sticks, balsa planks, and basswood planks from HobbyLobby.
Walmart has Hemp string and twine... and more beads, Practice Golf Balls (small whiffle balls), & Popsicle sticks.

PVC for play gyms-- Lowes. :) super cheap.
Vet wrap for play gyms-- Atwoods Farm & Ranch Supply. super cheap.

I got some great plastic shapes for foraging from a baby shape sorter toy... and some plastic shot glasses.

and naturally I save parts from store bought toys.... I really only buy toys that have at least *some* reusable parts. :)

HTH

stainless steel whisk for wire....that's genius! 0 _ 0



Does atwood farms and ranch have a website you can order from?

[kristy29]

I was in Dollar Tree yesterday. I bought some river rocks for foraging and some popsicle sticks. I was also going to buy this broom thing, it was in the craft section and it had nothing on it, it was meant for you to add your own decoration. It looked like it was made out of dried grass. DH talked me out of it thought because he said who knows what it's made out of. Do you think it would have been safe?

[Peanutbutter]

MissV-- no Atwoods is not web savvy, despite being a large chain. lol.

But Vet Wrap is widely available online... Drs F&S has it:
Vet Wrap on Pet Supplies, Dog Supplies, Cat Supplies, Pet Meds & Pet Products

[iggysbirds]

On the broom there is no way to be sure without knowing the product name/manufacturer/materials etc, but a couple things to look for to help make the decision.

Is it shiny?? If it is more than likely it has been sprayed with a sealer or paint type substance that would be harmful.

Does it smell?? Even if it looks great and natural if it has any chemical or oily smell to it don't get it.

What is it attached with or to?? Many brooms have wires inside that are used for support and to help hold them on to the handle even the little decorative brooms. Most of the wires are a zinc coated when used in decorations. Of course not all of them are like that and some are very safe but it is one thing to check for.

If still in question look for the manufacturers name and look up a phone number online. Call them, they should be able to tell you if they are treated, painted, chemicals on it etc. I have found many both safe and unsafe items by doing this.

This definitely isn't to make you worry just to help think of the questions to ask before purchase. I have found many great completely natural items at dollar shops or craft stores, but if it is metal, shiny, painted or smells I don't get it:)

[chinniechantel]

Ok, zip ties it is! I was thinking about it and that fuzz could also pose a danger for inhaling or choking.

[MissV]

Originally Posted by Peanutbutter

MissV-- no Atwoods is not web savvy, despite being a large chain. lol.

But Vet Wrap is widely available online... Drs F&S has it:
Vet Wrap on Pet Supplies, Dog Supplies, Cat Supplies, Pet Meds & Pet Products

Oh, that's funny...because before I even saw this today I JUST bought vetwrap from them! Thanks though <3

[kristy29]

Originally Posted by iggysbirds

On the broom there is no way to be sure without knowing the product name/manufacturer/materials etc, but a couple things to look for to help make the decision.

Is it shiny?? If it is more than likely it has been sprayed with a sealer or paint type substance that would be harmful.

Does it smell?? Even if it looks great and natural if it has any chemical or oily smell to it don't get it.

What is it attached with or to?? Many brooms have wires inside that are used for support and to help hold them on to the handle even the little decorative brooms. Most of the wires are a zinc coated when used in decorations. Of course not all of them are like that and some are very safe but it is one thing to check for.

If still in question look for the manufacturers name and look up a phone number online. Call them, they should be able to tell you if they are treated, painted, chemicals on it etc. I have found many both safe and unsafe items by doing this.

This definitely isn't to make you worry just to help think of the questions to ask before purchase. I have found many great completely natural items at dollar shops or craft stores, but if it is metal, shiny, painted or smells I don't get it:)

Thanks for this, it's great advice. I will check it out if I get back there again.