Added: Mar 21, 2010
From: PhoenixBlackthorn
Duration: 9:16
Added link 8/10/2010 Tube toy tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsLX7VOVD3w ~~~~~~~~~~~ Added links 8/12/2010 Zinc testing vids: Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jPEr05O0mM Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfib1TY8eHg Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YnZqzZXmXc ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A brief run-down of things I clipped from the vid to save you all from having to listen to 3 more minutes of my mumbling. ^.^ Since I did sort of mention cost of basic upkeep at the start of the vid, I'll add food costs. I spend about $30 (2 bags/flavors of food) for his basic pellet diet and maybe $5-10 for nuts/seed treats a quarter. Everything else like fruits and veggies, bread and random food bits comes off our own plates. More suggestions on/about cheap and easy parrot toys for your birds to destroy: -phone books (I personally don't like them. I find the smell of the ink too strong.) -untreated 2x4's! Toby has an 18" or so 2x4 that he gradually will nip at from time to time. When using re-appropriated materials like cardboard scavenged from the recycling bin at home, work, grocery store, etc...PLEASE keep an eye out for tape, staples, glue, contaminants (food stains, chemicals, unknown substances, excess printing inks). About the toilet paper tubes, make sure to remove ALL of the remaining tissue that might still be stuck to it. Inhaling that stuff really sucks (No pun intended. I often use TP in place of facial tissue) and if it's bothersome to detach with hands, I imagine it'd be more difficult trying to scrape tissue out of your throat with clawed feet! Where to find materials: -Cardboard: check recycling bins, save stuff from packaging, ask around stores that tend to ship/receive stock in large quantities. Large bookstores are nice because you don't have to worry as much about food or chemical drips on the boxes. -toilet paper tubes: I'm sure most folks have access to this. Just save it up. :) -packing cartons: check the recycling bin at your workplace (keep an eye out for shipments of new electronics) or try asking stores that sell electronics. I've found these things used to nest stuff from computer monitors to electric tabletop bathroom mirrors. -mop: cleaning aisle at the grocery or hardware store. Toby's is cotton. I wash it in the sink after an hour soak (I used biodegradable laundry soap and baking soda), now and then when it gets dirty. Getting out all the soap is the fun part...=_= -rubber balls: pet store. Round one comes in numerous colors and two more sizes, both larger than what I have. Shelved with dog toys. Oval I used to see with dog toys, but no longer. The one I have, was with parrot toys. Only have seen it in orange. About $6-7 for either. Also check online. There might be more options. I have a friend who goes through drsfosterandsmith.com and she seems fairly satisfied with their products and service. -giant beads: they came off Toby's old hanging toy. I don't know where to get just the beads. They're just large chunks of plastic I use as spacers so essentially, you could use large wood beads which I've seen sold by the jar at pet stores for bird toy makers.
Channel: Howto
Rating: 4.6712327' max='5' min='1' numRaters='73' rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#overall ( ratings) Views: 21006 Comments: 100
BennyJennyJ1 Says:
May 14, 2011 - you have really pretty hands
ITBOILSMYBLOOD Says:
Jul 10, 2011 - @PhoenixBlackthorn I stumbled onto your video on accident. Cool video and you have some awesome claws. They look as sharp as needles. :)
PhoenixBlackthorn Says:
Jul 10, 2011 - @ITBOILSMYBLOOD XD Thanks. Would be neat if they were that sharp. Though it'd kinda suck. I already don't get along very well with delicate fabrics and plastic bags. :P
ITBOILSMYBLOOD Says:
Jul 11, 2011 - @PhoenixBlackthorn Well, they look hot anyhow. The extreme shape is cool too, the whole nail tapers into claws. Neat. :) I can imagine some people are would actually be scared of em. lol :D
TheBrian7768 Says:
Sep 10, 2011 - @PhoenixBlackthorn my step dad found a parot in brazil,
TheBrian7768 Says:
Sep 22, 2011 - @PhoenixBlackthorn thnks for the advice I hope your right :)
cradleofify Says:
Oct 4, 2011 - cant afford 1?
taralee2012 Says:
Oct 21, 2011 - My Parrot a Blue Front Amazon was found w/ a broken wing n missing alot of feathers. I belive something was trying to eat her n my family adopted her, then as I grew up and moved out I adopted her..not realizing how expensive parrots were, but tips n tricks about making ur own parrot toys definately saves me alot of money every year, glad to Kiwi, my parrot, is about 2 celebrate 19 years of being a part of my family.
taralee2012 Says:
Oct 21, 2011 - Oh and for those who think it's mean to keep a parrot in a cage, my parrot has her own room, AND we go for walks everyday, where she can fly as far as she wants..and guess what,,yeah she comes back every time, my parrot loves me as much as I love her, so if you think it's wrong to own a parrot or bird look at it this way, birds come by the millions, and most die young in the wild, a parrot in "a cage" had a very high chance of living WAY longer than you.
isabelle2468100 Says:
Nov 20, 2011 - i got a parrolet for $60 on kijiji from a breeder.its a talking parrot!
PhoenixBlackthorn Says:
Nov 20, 2011 - @isabelle2468100 Why do you want to support breeders when there are numerous birds in rescues needing homes?
dallas420VA Says:
Nov 23, 2011 - quick question? if everyones so worried about getting bit, why not downsize to a parakeet/budgie? even if they do bite, it dont hurt that bad, the bigger birds can really do some damage
PhoenixBlackthorn Says:
Nov 27, 2011 - @dallas420VA It really depends on the bird & the owner's training/socializing efforts. I've had numerous types of birds through my life and heard stories like a classmate getting bitten/pecked regularly by zebra finches, while I've only ever been bitten by parakeets and cockatiels. The deepest bite came from an African ringneck (small bird compared to Toby) & still have a scar a year later. Hearing damage came mostly from my cockatiels, Toby isn't as much of a screamer as others I've heard. O.o
AidForTheBirds Says:
Dec 3, 2011 - Be sure when making your parrot toys you use only the safest parts. Click on my link to learn what parts are the safest parts.
julianacjara Says:
Jan 9, 2012 - please, can i use the carton tube of inside toylet paper?? i used oce, but i thought my parrot eas eating it, so i took it off....is it safe??
julianacjara Says:
Jan 9, 2012 - @AidForTheBirds what link?
AidForTheBirds Says:
Jan 9, 2012 - @julianacjara, Each of our User ID's are active links. Click on mine to be taken to my profile. There you will find my website. Click on my website to be taken to more information concerning bird toys and bird food. Thank you!
PhoenixBlackthorn Says:
Jan 9, 2012 - @julianacjara It's generally not a good idea. There's claims that the glue used to make the tubes are toxic. If your bird doesn't chew on the paper for long periods (mine sometimes just shreds it and throws it away), it might be ok. Really depends on what you want to take chances with. I have a tutorial on how to make your own play tubes using paper and wheat paste. It's linked in the vid comments. They're pretty easy to make. Just use a few layers to imitate toilet paper tubes.
Suzakie Says:
Jan 9, 2012 - @PhoenixBlackthorn i wish we had rescues here in oz we have the RSPCA and they make you pay for them or they get put to sleep. i think its stupid but yeah the rescues here make you pay to adopt animals kinda stupid
PhoenixBlackthorn Says:
Jan 10, 2012 - @Suzakie A lot of rescues have an adoption fee. The amount varies from place to place. It helps with upkeep of the facilities and the funds used to keep the animal there prior to adoption and any vet fees incurred if the animal came to them sick. So while the fees are annoying, they help the facility stay open especially private shelters like many parrot rescues in the US which start in people's homes who are given birds cause the owners don't know what to do w/them anymore.
calypsocowgirl Says:
Jan 14, 2012 - just wounding if shells are harmful to birds? cuz i was going to make a bird toy out of some sea shells i have
PhoenixBlackthorn Says:
Jan 15, 2012 - @calypsocowgirl Opinions are kinda mixed about shells. Some say there's too many toxic chemicals in the ocean that make shells unsafe, but considering that there are chemicals in most everything, I guess take that caution how you will. If your bird doesn't eat toys & just likes to break them or forage, I don't see a problem. Just wash them well, like any new toy part. Some people bake them in the oven to sanitize. Dunno temp or time, tho. I'd worry more about driftwood, since it's more porous.
bojanplaya Says:
Jan 22, 2012 - 2:26 did your bird just say "WTF" ? lol
PhoenixBlackthorn Says:
Jan 22, 2012 - @bojanplaya *lmao* I didn't even notice that until you pointed it out! I get so used to him babbling stuff in the background all the time. I actually don't know what he's saying, but it wouldn't surprise me that it's a mumbled version, as my friend says that fairly often. My bird used to belong to her mom. He very clearly says, "crack," though, if he's too lazy to say "crackers." Haven't managed to record that, yet. :P
. . . . . . . because these video appear directly from youtube.com which we cannot control it.)
PhoenixBlackthorn Says:
Apr 25, 2011 - @imandanmarki Very true. :)