Bird toy supplies

[Beth65]

When you go into craft stores, how do you know that the rope or whatever is 100% natural. Can you trust the packaging? Where do you members get you toy supplies?
Beth

[stepht25]

I buy most of my toy making supplies online. If I do buy from a craft store - I def. read the packaging - don't buy any of the leather from craft stores - I've never seen any that wasn't treated and or colored. If you buy sisal - it's important to feel it - if it feels oily it's been treated -will usually smell quite a bit too. Wood pieces should not look shiny or have a color (stained or painted). You can also ask a sales associate - I find most of them are pretty good at helping you and if they are in the slightest doubt they tell you so. I haven't had any trouble buying hemp rope at craft stores - I like to use it for the smaller fids.

Here's a few places online I like to shop at. This link is from the Cheep parrot toys n tips - it's a list of suppliers they use and like.
http://www.cheepparrottoysntips.com/suppliers.htm

Other online stores I like:

www.windycityparrot.com
www.calbirdnerds.com
www.exoticreations.com
www.birdsnestonline.com
www.rockportroost.com

I have several ebay sellers I like:

http://stores.ebay.com/Enchanted-Feather-Bird-Toys

http://stores.ebay.com/Discount-Bird...PJJR-bird-toys

http://stores.ebay.com/connie-and-an...irds-plus-more

http://stores.ebay.com/Weldens-Pet-Supplies-and-More

http://stores.ebay.com/Totally-Unique

Seller's name chewytoy1 (you can do a search and put his name in for seller) He's usually got great prices on leather.

[conurema3]

great list of suppliers! I've been looking for some new places to buy supplies to make toys with myself. I just bookmarked the whole list on my computer so I can look at them all in detail later. Thanks!

[Beth65]

Thanks so much. I did buy some sisal this weekend that said "natural" on it but it felt greasey and smelled so I didn't use it. I knew the members of Birdboard would direct me in the right direction! Thanks again!
B

[kateBird]

just to let you know...

www.calbirdnerds.com

should be

www.cabirdnerds.com (without the "L").

[CBT]

As bird toys are what I do for a living here are a few suggestions.

First thing I cannot stress enough make sure that any chain, quick links, or pearlinks are Nickel Plate. Do not use zinc plated it is poison! Also do not use the split rings like on keychains as it is only a matter of time until a beak gets caught!

Cotton rope should be "Supreme Cotton Rope" or "Superior Cotton Rope" (there may be others but those are the 2 I have used)the difference between these and regular cotton is that it will tear away like a cotton ball and your birds feet will not get trapped.

Craft stores will generally cost you more for bird toy making supplies than if you shop online or Ebay, plus you will have safer supplies buying bird specific products! The sisal rope is a great example of that.

[Lea]

Be wary of colored rope products from vendors who buy cheaply from China to save some work ...and a buck. Many of these rope products with have the color running out of them, and all over your bird, should they get wet. With the latest news about the toxins in children's toys coming from China, who kows what's in the dye that's used in the rope. That stuff has always scared me , and I use only "home dyed" with food coloring, that has been rinsed. It isn't as vibrant as some of the products on the market, but the bird isn't the one who buys it for its color - we do. And it's not about us. And I don't think we want to be cleaning dye off the bird, the furniture and the walls. I know I don't!
One thing you can do to make toys with chain safer is to cut pieces of PVC or tubing to cover the exposed chain part - avoiding the possibility of getting the chain wound around a toe, foot, wing, or neck.
Also - make sure you buy, or make, toys that are the correct size for your bird, and supervise your bird's play time. Too often birds get into trouble when you toss toys in a cage and walk away. See how he interacts with them before you call them safe.

[tweet52]

Here are some I have shop from:

Bird Toys & Bird Safe Toy Parts for your Parrot

[featherfanatics]

I found an awsome site with alot of really neat parts. YOu can't beat the prices either.

www.parrotasylum.com