|
What is Zinc?
Zinc is a heavy metal that is used to coat iron
and steel in a process called galvanization prevent rust. Zinc is
almost never a component of steel, but rather a coating to prevent rust.
|
Testing for Zinc
|
Hydrochloric Acid
Very dangerous to use and
not recommended. |
Muriatic
Acid
This is easier to obtain
and less dangerous.
Always test outside
Wear gloves and goggles. |
Both of these Acid's can be
found in most paint stores |
To prevent Zinc Toxicosis in
your birds always use
Stainless Steel Parts or Nickel plated parts. If unsure of a part
replace it with the SS or Nickel plated.
|
Items that contain Zinc
|
Imported Cages
Older Cages
Cage Locks
Padlocks
Galvanized Food Dishes
Galvanized Wire
Wire Coat Hangers |
Hardware Pieces such as:
Nuts and Bolts,
Washers,
S Hooks and Eye Hooks
Some Paints and Varnishes
Cage Hardware
(clips to hang toys from) |
|
Some common adhesives such as:
Duct tape
Twist ties the ones used
with garbage bags
TV Remote Controls
Kitchen Hardware
Paper
Towel and Toilet Paper Rolls
(the glue is toxic)
Flooring and
Flooring Adhesive
Pennies (Birds should
never be given coins
for play) |
|
Safe Ropes |
Un-Safe Ropes |
Supreme Cotton Rope
100% Natural Jute Rope
Un-treated Sisal
Odyssey Paulie Rope
(paulie rope at the hard
ware stores ARE NOT SAFE)
natural Hemp
|
Nylon Rope
Polyester Ropes
Cotton and Polyester
Treated Sisal
Dog Toy Ropes |
Safe Chains |
Un-Safe Chains |
Plastic Chains
Nickel Plated Chains
Stainless Steel Chains
  |
Zinc Plated Chains
Chains with rubber coatings
Industrial kind |
Quick Tips
Do not use Shoe Laces to string toys. Beware of
rope that say cotton rope because it could contain fibers such as rayon,
nylon and polyester. These materials are added to make the rope stronger.
Pictured below: 100% Supreme Cotton colored with food coloring.
Dog toy ropes are not safe because they are made up Poly/Cottonrope for
strength and therefore they are not safe for birds.
 
Natural Jute Rope Safe for Birds
Safe to Use |
Considered Un-safe |
| Aluminum Hooks
Stainless Steel Hooks
Nickel Plated Hooks
Plastic Baby Links
Jump Rings
(safe metal only)
Plastic Shower Curtain rings
 
Cable / Zip Ties |
Spilt Rings
(key chain rings)
 
Metal Shower Hooks
(also this type
below)
Spring Locks or Clasps
(like the ones used
when climbing or key chains)
Loose Leaf
Rings
S Hooks
 
Twist Ties
(used on bread and trash bags) |
Quick Tips: All metal should be Stainless Steel or Nickel Plated.
When using the Baby Links (found in the baby departments of the
stores)make sure your bird cannot fit its head through the hooks, a bird
will panic if they think their head is stuck and cause SERIOUS injury to
themselves.
DO NOT USE the spilt rings, these are the rings used for our keys.
These are very dangerous. Birds could get their tongues, feet or
beak snapped in these. These are dangerous for smaller birds
because they can get their heads stuck.
If you use S hooks to hook toys to the ceiling make sure they are SS or
Nickel plated. Although it is recommended that birds not be able
to get to these hooks. If you hang toys from the ceilings I
would recommend a ceiling protector.
Avoid the hooks that are sold in Stores that are used by mountain
climbers, the metal is not safe
and they have a spring latch.
If you can't find proper links you can also use cable ties. DO NOT
LEAVE A LOOP when you attach to the cage. A loop is a danger
because the bird can get his head stuck. Cable Ties are not recommended
for Larger Parrots who like to chew through plastics.
Do not use the hooks that are called "Loose Leaf rings" these are used
in offices to hold several pieces of paper together.
I like
to pay special attention to the toys on my page but I would like to add
some quick tips on the household items.
Always pay special attention to your household cleaning supplies so many
things are dangerous for our parrots, here are a few things I will not
use under any circumstances in my home:
~Self Cleaning Ovens the fumes will kill your birds!
~Do not burn glade candles, I do not burn any candles in my home just to
be on the safe side.
~ do not use aerosol air fresheners
~carpet powders
~Do not use Hot glue around your birds, the fumes are toxic once the
glue is dry it's fine.
~No self sticking pots and pans TEFLON is deadly!
Zinc, Lead, Brass and Copper
Brass=copper and zinc
Items that are noted as "GALVANIZED" is mostly likely Zinc
Split Key Rings (rings used on our key rings)
Loose Leaf Rings (office supplies)
 Clothespin with the
wire
Bells with un-welded clappers
Foam/Cellophane/Styrofoam (could be choking hazard)
Glues, Adhesives, Lacquers, Paints and Some Dyes
Wood that is shiny has been lacquered, do not use
Screws with the points on the end of them
 Wiffle
Balls with slits
glue guns when hot; the glue puts off fumes that CAN be toxic
Glue on paper towel rolls have been found to be toxic;
could also be a hazard for suffocation,
Regular house keys, Plastic bags, Yarn and Ribbon
Straw hats that are stitched together; the stitching could strangle
a bird
Chemical treated tanned and dyed leather
Some rubber toys can contain toxic chemicals as well as lead and
cadmium Cadmium containing products; such as batteries, pigments, and
coating are harmful.
Wal-mart |
Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, etc.
|
Vine Balls (location varies)
Wood Tongue Depressors
(Craft section)
Large Beads (Craft sections)
Leather (un treated only)
Bamboo (Floral dept)
Hemp (Jewelry dept)
100% Cotton Fabric
(Fabric dept)
Pre cut wood pieces
(Jewelry dept)
Beads of all sizes
(Craft section)
Coffee Filters (unbleached)
Straws
Food Coloring
Wood Dowels
(Craft Section)
Cable/Zip Tie (hardware
section)
Wagon Wheels
Farm Animal Shaped Beads
Craft Section) |
Baby Blocks
(made in the USA Only)
Stainless Steel Condiment Cups
Wiffle Balls
(be careful of the ones
with the large slits)
Bamboo Pieces
Wooden Spoons
Straws
Large and Small Sized Dice
Plastic & Stainless
Steel Measuring Spoons
and Cups
Plastic Alphabet Letters
(just remove magnet and drill)
Feather Dusters
Wicker Wreaths
(seasonal in some states)
Coffee Filters (unbleached)
Cable/Zip Ties |
Lowes |
Hobby Lobby |
Nickel Plated Chain
Plastic Chain
(large yellow sized, smaller white sizes)
Stainless Steel Parts
such as;
Washers, Screws, Bolts,
Eyebolts, etc.
Untreated Wood
Cable/Zip
Ties |
100% Natural Jute
Wood Tongue Depressors
Nickel Plated Eye Screws Beads
Wood Pieces
Wood Dowels
Hemp Leather (un treated only)
Sisal (un treated only)
Larger Beads |
MISCELLANEOUS
This page is meant to discuss the items that weren't
covered on
the other pages, Not all things are related to toys and toy making but
the information is useful and needed.
 |
Pinecones
make great toys
Birds love to destroy pinecones and they provide great exercise
for those busy beaks.
When collecting pinecones,
always look for ones that are
not moldy and wet. You should try to collect pinecones right after they fall from the
tree.
Heat in Oven before giving
them to your birds
You can't sterilize pinecones but you can assure that the little critters
that like to hide in them like spiders and moulds will be gone
Heat oven to 224 degrees F
Allow pinecones to sterilize for 20 minutes in the oven,
after 20 minutes turn off oven. Leave the pinecones in
the oven to dry out for two hours.
Do not exceed 225 degrees or they will scorch and
could catch fire.
Hint
Lay the pinecones down on the baking sheet gently or
you will have the critters jumping out of the pinecones before you can shut the oven door. |
| Foam Beads |
The use of foam beads in toy
making is a personal decision. Not all birds will chew and ingest the foam but some will.
Always supervise your birds if you are using foam pieces. Your bird should not ingest the
foam parts. |
 |
www.birdsafe.com
www.parrotparrot.com
Stop back soon!
|
No toy is ever 100%
Please, always supervise
Clothespin with the
wire
Wiffle
Balls with slits 
