|
|
|---|
Finding non-toxic wood pieces is actually very easy. Most craft stores carry various hardwood balls, wheels, clothespins and many other shapes and sizes.(Most will have holes already drilled through)Make sure what you buy is untreated. You'll color these later!
You can also find dowels in all thicknesses at craft stores as well as lumber yards. Of course you'll need a method of cutting.(hand held saws work fine)You can also buy wood pieces from me! Mine are already colored, but will still save you some $$$
Vibrant non-toxic color is also quite easy to create. The best and easiest color to use is concentrated food coloring. (not the kind you buy at the grocery stor). This coloring can be found at cake decorating shops, some craft stores like Micheal's and I've even seen them in the cake section at Hallmark card stores. Buy the Wilsons brand, it's a small container of gel food coloring. I suggested buying bright colors-but red never likes to dye very well. I usually heat 1 container to about 2 cups water in a saucepan-this helps to blend. Once melted together you can start dipping your wood pieces. (Be careful, this can get messy) Some colors will dye immediately some will take more time. After dipping place wood to dry on drying rack of some kind. If you're in a hurry you can bake them in the oven for a short time. Don't leave them too long or they will catch on fire.
Always buy unbleached rawhide for your bird. You can find inexpensive bags of small bones and chips from dog toy companies. Walmart seems to have great prices on all kinds of rawhide. Small bones can be easily died with the food coloring process above and they make great hand held toys for all kinds of birds.
Leather might be a bit more difficult to find, but once you do it's really worth stocking up. Always make sure you buy Vegetable Tanned Leather. This is a natural process and non-toxic to birds. Anything else will have unsafe chemicals. Call around to local leather tanneries or companies that deal with leather goods. You may have one locally and not even know it. Usually these companies will give you a box of scraps if you if you buy a large piece of leather. The large peice of leather is perfect for cutting strips. Strips can be cut with a utility knife, but it's much easier to buy a strip cutter. Check online for leather companies.
100% soft cotton rope is nearly impossible to find in small quantities, but I just happen to have some for sale here.
Sisel is also a nice alternative-Home Depot is a good spot to start.
Quicklinks can be found at places like home depot. I too sell quicklinks in zinc plated and Stainless steel. If you have a bird who chews metal I suggest getting stainless steel links- you can find them in some Boating stores.
