Coconuts ? and Oyster shells

[gypsy]

On my travels on the net, I see lots of toys etc with coconut shells etc in them. My question is .... Supermarket bought whole coconuts, after I have eaten the insides leaving just the shells some have a bit of the hairy fibre still on the outside are they ok for the birds or are 'bird safe' coconut shells washed/treated/cooked or something?

And Oyster shells, same question as for a treat Hubby loves them and the shells went out to the chooks, but would they be ok for the birds? if so do I have to boil/heat/ do anything special other than a good hot wash of them?

Hoping someone has the knowledge to help me

Sally

[twr]

I don't know anything about parrots and oysters shells, so will leave that for others that know to answer you.

I've seen the coconut toys and wondered the same. I think I would scrape all those hairs off it, in case they can caught up in throat or crop, but I have no idea really.

When I steralise wood or pine cones, I follow the steps in this article. I think it would work for a coconut husk, but I've never tried it.

www.ehow.com/i/#article_4923735

[gypsy]

Thanks Robyn for that link - Well I am a naughty girl, I have not done that with any of the branches/perches I have put in for wally, his toy logs that I am making up I have just peeled the bark of and left in the sun to 'harden' up (been told they are 'ghost gum' ) A friend who is into aussie birds is going to take me out around and show me where he collects his supplies of redgum, and different native trees and grasses from - should be a good learning day!

I understand parrots do not need 'grit' but as Wally just loves to chew, chew everything all the time, I am thinking of different textures for him to try and wont be harmful to him!

Yes its the hairy bits on the coconut that concern me, he loves to shred but coconuts are not part of the wild galah diet, so that worries me. Oh and I love chewing on coconut chunks so its a great excuse to buy them if there is no waste

I am sure someone will come along who has used these things and will share their experiences!

[twr]

I can't always follow that full sterilising protocol either. It's a bit hard to put a 5ft long branch in the oven, and I think our Aussie sun (particularly) in Summer does a good job. I do always steralise in a bleach bath though, using my bath tub & turning the piece to make sure each part of the branch gets it's turn. Then it goes out in the sun.

I got into that habit for my fish keeping & then carried it forward to my bird keeping. Then someone I met on another forum (who makes natural play stands commercially in Canada) gave me this link saying the US experts said it was important to do the heat treatment. Not always practical for the hobbyist though - she has a purpose built kiln, so it's ok for her.

We can only do the best we think

[avinet]

I've never done the steralising stuff with branches I've collected for perches - and never had a problem as a result. I always leave the bark on as well, the birds enjoy chewing it off.

Coconuts - I would remove all of the fibrous outer part to be safe - it is ideal material to cause an impacted crop if swallowed.

Oyster shells - I would boil them first - there is organic material that is not completely removed when you eat them, and I could imagine some nasty bacteria (E.coli etc) forming if not first boiled. Then I would crush them before giving to the birds. Shell material is a useful source of calcium with the bebfit that if the bird doesn't need calcium it passes straight through to be excreted so the bird doesn't overdose on calcium.

cheers,

Mike

[twr]

I leave the bark on too. It is especially loved on bottle brush branches. Even the lorikeets, who usually can't make a dent in wood, enjoy stripping off the bottle brush bark.

The sterilising may not be necessary, but I'm a cautious gal. If I scrub & steralise, I know they're not being exposed to any poop from wild birds or ingesting any other organism that might be safe for the wild birds but to which my birds haven't been exposed & therefore haven't developed immunity to.

Plus, it's a habit from my fish keeping hobby to steralise stuff. Just me

[gypsy]

Thank you Mike

Tomorrow's job, sitting in the sun and removing all the 'hairy' bits off the coconut.

With the oyster shells, I will boil them and crush them, Good to know that it could do him good
I often watch all the wild Galah's feeding in our block, on the ground, in the dry grass/weeds and dust picking away, so they must be getting something from the dirt they need.

I have left the bark on wally's perches , - although its basically now all gone after 3 days lol, its just for the toy parts (6" logs) I wanted it removed.

I understand your reason for sterilising Robyn. I am lucky to have so many tree's to pick from that if I see a poop or anything on it, I dont cut it Saying that Wally is a native bird, who was obviously born within walking distance to my house so that is why I didn't think it necessary to sterilise, but with a bird that is not from here I may have a different attitude

Sally

[twr]

It's not just the possible poop that concern me. Wood with the bark still on can contain living organisms in the form of insects, insect eggs & larvae, fungus & mould. My babies were all breeder bred & hand fed, so not exposed to such things.

I know I'm more fussy than I need to be, but at the very worst, it's only my time I'm wasting & it can't hurt. Gives me piece of mind.

It's the fresh branches though when I find myself really not sticking to my own theories. Can't really steralise grevillea flowers & leaves. The fresh gum leaves, the best I can do with those is a soak & wash in mild salt & water, then rinse in fresh water. So I recognise I'm a bit inconsistent there

Have fun making your coconut toys. Pls share a picture of the toys you make. I'd love to see them.

[gypsy]

Salt water wash/rinse I believe is one of natures best 'fix its" - for cats with scratches/kids with scratches/and killing off bugs anywhere! In fact the kids all know how to mix up a salt wash bowl! LOL

Keeping everything sterile for fish is a necessary routine, and if it suits you with the birds I say if anyone disagrees

When my dream bird comes along, I will have a much stricter routine than I have now - thats for sure!

Awaiting the arrival of a 'big' box of goodies, so not long now and I will be in a toy making frenzy!

[twr]

Salt sure is good for lots of things. Makes a good throat gargle too.

If a fresh water fish looks like it has scraped itself, a long or short term salt bath can do wonders. They obviously can't handle salt at the same level as a marine, but it really can help heal a wound on a freshwater fish.

Ooh, a big box of goodies. It's such fun when a parcel arrives.

[twr]

How's the coconut toy going? Any pictures?

I was looking at www.myparrotshop.com & they have quite a few coconut based toys I bet you could copy.

I love the picture of the caw with his coconut in the link below. He is just sitting in a such a cute position.

www.myparrotshop.com/hanging-toys/coconutty/prod_332.html

[gypsy]

Ahh the coconut toy - well, drill + me dont mix too well, and flying coconut shells make a loud noise when they hit the wall

Have got another coconut to have another go at LOL

[twr]

Oh my, I'm glad the coconut hit the wall & not a person or bird. Let us know how attempt no 2 goes.

[twr]

Gypsy, is saw this elsewhere on the net & thought of you & your coconut project

[gypsy]

Yes Twr that is what I had in mind but with longer cotton ropes, - 2 holes safely drilled then whamo on the 3rd lol and the crash when it hit the wall broke the shell - but maybe something positive - told hubby I think we need a drill press (he could use it with his woodworking projects and much safer for me) and he grinned and has started looking for one! Also mentioned that a little saw bench set up with all the safety gadgets would come in handy too

[twr]

Wow, if you get all that just imagine all the toys you could churn out.

It's amazing the things we do for our birds. I never would have believed 5 years ago that I would own my own drill & have a drawer in the bird room where I have my own set of tools. I could never find what I wanted on hubby's shed.