gypsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 169
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Post by gypsy on Apr 11, 2011 9:27:25 GMT 10
Hi All While researching 'toy' ideas on the net, and looking at pictures of peoples cage set ups (for ideas) I have noticed a great number of contradictions regarding whats safe or not. Having bought a large number of toys for the birds over the years, from bird suppliers, there is also a great difference in what is considered safe (commercially made shredding balls that contained NYLON rope that I knew immediately could cause a problem) So, I thought perhaps we could share here, what we recycle, reuse, and buy 'cheap' and where we find them? Aussie Stores and products  and also if someone has had a problem with something they can 'share' and others may learn. Main ones that everyone seems to say - Stainless steel for any metal parts required (especially if outdoors) Nickel plated if you can't source SS (which I am finding is very hard here in Aussie) Untreated Rope - another hard one to find Poly Bird Rope - Untreated, raw wood - I picked up some Raffia Paper - from the local scrapbooking place! ($1.95 packet) Raffia String ($3.95 packet) - from the local sewing/craft shop - I know to use tiny bits as it is very strong! Plain newsprint type paper -( kids scribble books) Reject Shop Small Wiffle Balls - Reject Shop Icy pole sticks - Reject Shop (natural ones) Crepe Paper - Reject shop Small cane baskets (bread baskets) - local salvo's  Baby rattles, etc - local salvo's (run through dishwasher) Coconut in shell - from local supermarket (scrapped nice and smooth) Around home I can find, native trees for gum nuts (all different sizes) and the wood, pine cones Ebay Seller for Bulk cuttlefish Ebay Seller for BIG seed rings and seed sticks Ebay Seller for Bulk Millet Sprays So, please share where you can find 'goodies' for your flock Sally |
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Post by flossy on Apr 11, 2011 15:59:24 GMT 10
Hi Gypsy What a great thread to start! I am always looking around for things for my guys as well - so this is fantastic. I can't really add much at this stage off the top of my head except these wonderful large plastic pet balls I get from the House to Home shops for $2. They are such a strong ball and all my guys have one to play with. I have also threaded the plastic chain through them and hung them in with my Eckies and they adore their toy. I buy the plastic chain - similar to what you use for hanging kids toys from. I attach "things" to it with dog clips etc. I buy the chain from Bunnings per metre which isn't too bad. The birds are so busy playing with the toys, they leave the chain alone....with ONE exception being Doofy my Alexandrine! lol! Typical says Mike...lol. I go to a place close to me and collect driftwood as well. I bake it, clean it with F10, cut and drill holes through it and then thread them onto cotton rope. They love chewing on the wood. I also make little cardboard boxes from enviro card and stuff them with paper, nuts and treats. They have to forage for it which is fun to watch. I also buy untreated leather thonging and thread natural beads, pony beads, bells and the likes onto it..... The list goes on and on...... Oh macaroni threaded onto cotton string etc works a treat too! They love the crunch! I buy the vegetable or wholemeal ones and just spend hours threading packets of it...lol. I know I need a life right? hehehehehe I am always on the hunt and you can ask anyone in my family. I get some "spending money" and it's not often I come home with things for myself.....it's always for my babies Looking forward to what everyone else has to say. And please, if I am doing anything wrong? please feel free to correct me here....it's all about the learning!! Thanks heaps Flossy |
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Post by flossy on Apr 11, 2011 16:01:15 GMT 10
Forgot to ask Gypsy....can you PM me the name of the Ebay Seller who has the bulk millet? Thanks  |
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gypsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 169
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Post by gypsy on Apr 11, 2011 21:00:06 GMT 10
Oh macaroni threaded onto cotton string etc works a treat too! They love the crunch! I buy the vegetable or wholemeal ones and just spend hours threading packets of it...lol. What a great idea Cotton String? - what type do you use? driftwood - brings back memories as a kid, collecting it with my grandparents for the fire:) but once dried out it would be great for the birds to chomp on! I discovered my teil like chewing on cane baskets when I noticed the basket that sat beside his cage on the pantry was shrinking! lol Squark the teil has quite a story, he has been a big learning curve, but one tough little cookie! Will get the courage to post one day his story. Don't have house to home shops here, but that reminds me I bought a big plastic (very strong) cat ball with a bell in it $2, and Wally rolls it around his cage playing with it for ages. It still is going strong! I also got a paper shredder with a wind handle for $5 from the reject shop, instant shreds now LOL Little boxes to hide treats! one I will try I spent the afternoon, covering balloons with paper and flour/water glue, step 2 will be when they dry! Oh and Flossy have pm'd you Sally |
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Post by twr on Apr 12, 2011 23:58:16 GMT 10
All great ideas. Keep them coming. I can't think of much that you haven't already mentioned. These are not cheap, but www.myparrotshop.com has stainless steel hardware for toys etc. Even stainless steel liberty bells. |
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Post by Robyn on Apr 13, 2011 7:26:58 GMT 10
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gypsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 169
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Post by gypsy on Apr 13, 2011 9:39:12 GMT 10
OMG What a wonderful link  !!!!! Thank you so much for sharing Robyn Made a few things last night, and was going to load photo's but got sidetracked by the link LOL |
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gypsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 169
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Post by gypsy on Apr 13, 2011 11:51:32 GMT 10
Last nights toy making while watching tv! Swing, little woody nibbler (for teil), bigger woody nibblers for wally, they will be hung with SS chain and eye hook - based on a toy I bought for the ringnecks years ago from ebay!  Wiffle ball lots of knots, one has twisted paper, cotton rope, leather, sort of snuggly chew, other is just lots of leather knots - they wont last long before the wiffle balls will be chewed up!  Rafia Paper tied onto a 'flower form' Wally loves throwing it around, and running around with it so simple!  If I have done anything 'dangerous' with these toys, please don't hesitate to point it out please! |
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Post by twr on Apr 13, 2011 13:04:03 GMT 10
They look great Gypsy. Thanks fit sharing
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Post by flossy on Apr 13, 2011 13:15:35 GMT 10
Well done Gypsy! Maybe I should just buy them from you instead of making them too! lol!
Go into business girl! I bet you would sell a heap!!
Gosh, there are so many good sites....the mind boggles with what you want to do!
Have fun!
Ann-Maree xx
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Post by lovielady on Apr 13, 2011 21:51:35 GMT 10
Wow, they are terrific toys Gypsy, just perfect for the birdies to enjoy.
~ Lovielady
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gypsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 169
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Post by gypsy on Apr 13, 2011 22:16:12 GMT 10
Thanks everyone - I am not a 'perfectionist' lol - I'm not sure what colours Wally really likes yet, so I throw a bit of everything in LOL he really likes those 'flat oval beads' so thats why they are on the chews! How about some pic's of your birds toys? |
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Post by meandem on Apr 14, 2011 16:01:02 GMT 10
Chuckles favourite toy is my husbands fingers - she seems to lunge at his hands as soon as he is near her!
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gypsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 169
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Post by gypsy on Apr 15, 2011 10:37:03 GMT 10
Made a cool foraging toy yesterday - that is now destroyed! quick and simple! Cardboard middle from paper towel roll, stabbed a few holes in it and put sunflower seeds (wally's fav) sticking out of holes, put a peanut and paper towel, sunflowers and paper towel inside and WOW - he has had great fun destroying it to get the seeds! - also throwing bits of paper towel around after shredding them! Big mess for me to clean BUT big mess = lots of fun Was lucky to have several sunflowers grow this year, so big fresh seeds Oh and put the yellow wiffle ball pictured above in on Wednesday - it is now naked! but not chewed, Wally had gread fun undoing all the knots - exactly what I wanted |
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Post by flossy on Apr 15, 2011 14:28:09 GMT 10
Yep I do the same thing Gypsy. Also the rolls the kitchen garbage bags come on are really thick and strong - they take drilling to get the holes, but it's so worth it!!
I stuff them with whatever I can find (all bird safe of course!!) and lots of rewards....
Everyone loves them....even my Lorries who now soak them in the water to make them all soft and gooey so they can gain faster access to the blueberries etc....lol!
I love watching birds foraging in these kind of things.......
Flossy
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and also if someone has had a problem with something they can 'share' and others may learn.
!!!!!
