Pure Vanilla Extract

[Dana64]

Is it safe to brush a little Pure Vanilla Extract on wood toys? I have made a couple of toys for my Greys for Xmax gifts and thought that the scent of vanilla would attract them to the toy, as well as the scent would also be nice....

Any thoughts?

[cherriesanglea]

i was always told not to scent the wood cuz it gives them the idea to eat the wood! thats like your not suppose to use jello or kool aid to color wood but this is just what i was told!!!

[Dana64]

never thought about them wanting to eat the wood! Thanks for the tip!

[Lessadalinar]

I wouldn't use pure vanilla, I would dilute it so there is a faint scent of it and put it on there. thats a GREAT idea!

There are fruit flavored wood chew sticks. They don't eat them, Ithey rip'em to shreds and have a blast doing it.
I would never use jello or kool-aid. That would be awful awful staining.

[cherriesanglea]

MYO Toys Safety First

here is a site that tells you why not to use kool aid and jello and things to color wood!!! im assuming that it would apply for vanilla also!!! sorry took so long just got back from wal mart!lol its under the color part

[Lori~D]

There are many many toys made with fruit FLAVORED wood and I have never known a bird to ingest the wood. The wood they chew in the wild has many stimulating flavors. I would just be cautious about what flavors to use and what is safe or not. I know at the zoo here they do allot of things for enrichment and one is to sprinkle flavors and scents onto logs and other items for the animals. They also use spices! Allot of parrots adore red pepper!

[Lori~D]

Jello contains too much sugar and unsweetened kool- aid is bitter but I dont think harmful. We have used Koolaid to dye dogs hair!

[Lessadalinar]

I never thought about a little bit of spices on toys
But you are correct, they love it!

I think the vanilla idea is wonderful!!!

Theres alot of recipes that use vanilla extract for birds, so I see np putting a little on some toys.

[r2rusmc]

Oh spices! You don't know what your birds are missing out on.

I make a bulk (about 12 cups worth) spice/herb mix that gets sprinkled on top of their goodie bowls every evening.

Ingredients include (but not limited too)...

whole cloves
whole allspice
cracked cinnamon sticks (try to cut a stick with scissors and you'll get cracked)
whole fennel
whole corriander
dried rosemary
star anise
spearmint leaves
tarragon leaves
dried orange/lemon peel
anise seed
dill seed
whole peppercorns
crushed red pepper seed
chopped dried ginger
dried celery

I usually throw a 3 inch cinnamon stick, teaspoon of allspice and cloves and bee bollen packets into the food pulverizer to make a powder (to break up pollen packets) then stir into the mix.

Fids love it and they have the most wonderful breath! Somedays they love the star anise and other days the cloves. I think this mix helps satisfy a nutrient appetite for micro-nutrients their other feed may be lacking which is why they like different things on different days.

FYI, careful letting the fids "nibble" on you after this cause if it is a hot pepper or cinnamon day it can really cause you some discomfort.

As for the vanilla on toys (getting on topic here), I'd be cautious of the vanilla you are using. The cheap imitation extracts do have sugars in them and that could provide a spot for badnastys to grow. I'd suggest making your own vanilla extract with a vodka base and using it instead of store bought crap.

One whole vanilla bean cut down the length, seeds scraped out then the husk cut into one inch pieces. Put all that (including the seeds) into 1/4 c. vodka and allow to steep for at least a month. That'll make single strength vanilla. I usually make 16x strength and allow it to age for 12 months before diluting it down to 2x and using it for baking.

The vodka will dry up quickly and leave the vanilla flavor behind.

FYI a good friend of mine is a pastry chef at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and she uses my vanilla.

[r2rusmc]

Oh and the vanilla mix like this also makes a real nice body spray.