What are some things around the house that i can use to make toys for my cockatiel?

Question

i need simple things that i can make toys out of! he needs more things to do outside of his cage rather than just sit on me and eat treats. i need different ideas!

Answer 1

keys that are clean like old keys u dont use, anything that cannot be chewed up and they can choke on.  

Answer 2

There have been some good answers here, but there are some other possibilities and a few things that need clarified.

The actual toilet paper roll is OK, but some companies use a glue on these rolls which is high in heavy meatls. Over time this could poison your bird. Its up to you if you want to risk it, but I don't think its worth the risk.

Non slick papet is ok, such as napkins, notebook paper or newspaper. Many birds love to shred these and rip them apart. Coin wrappers can be stuffed with treats too.

Any  hard toy made for an infant is safe for a bird. An example are those rings of plastic keys. But be advised that real keys are often made of zinc, which can be deadly to birds!

Cockateils *Adore* to chew wood, and it is natural for them to do so! They will not "choke" on wood. Just go to any pet store and see how many bird toys are made from wood. Therefore, wooden spoons from the kitchen or ( especially loved) popsickle sticks from a craft store are great to make toys for your birds. Just drill holes in the wood and string them onto natural heavy cotton string. You can also get large natural wooden beads to go on these strung toys.

You can gather natural wooden branches for toys and to make your bird's perches. I make our birds new perches about twice a year. Sycamore makes great perches, or you can use Maple, Pine, or Apple. But be sure you know the type of wood, because many can kill your bird, such as Yew, Cherry or Oak. Do some research on the Web to find out which woods are safe for your bird.

Plastic bottle caps can make good toys too, especially when you string them with the wooden items.

But the *Most* loved toy for a cockateil is a simple toothpick! The love them! The will pick them up, roll them in their mouth, move them all around, and have a great time!

*CAUTION* Be very careful about using any painted wooden items from China. Most of these have high levels of lead and other poisons! Metal items from China , such as small bells, are usually made of zinc, and therefore toxic to birds.

Go to a pet store to get ideas for toys, or visit DrsFosterSmith.com

Good luck.

Answer 3

you can usebeads and string them together and use it as a toy

also, you can use toile paper roll and attatch beaded string to it and hae the birds use is as a tunnel and have fun shredding it!!

enjoy =]

Answer 4

Empty TP rolls are great toys because your tiel can chew them up, but you can also hide treats in them and make a foraging toy out of it.  My Indian Ringnecks LOVE to wrestle whole rolls of toilet paper and they're so proud of themselves when they "defeat" it and tear it to shreds!

One of my older Cockatiels loves newspaper and will sit for hours talking to it so I just make those simple newspaper hats and boats and let him go to town (I won't waste my time with elaborate oragami since he's just going to destroy it anyway)!

I use paper plates, toilet paper rolls, different types of ropes, unbleached coffee filters (you can wrap treats in there), paper cups (without wax)....I usually string these up and let my birds chew away,

I also make my own toys with acrylic (hard plastic) beads, those fun chinese finger traps, plastic keys they use for human babies, wooden chunks and blocks.

If you have willows or grapevines in your yard you can use those to make swings, perches, and other fun areas for him to perch and play, especially when the wood is flexible and you can shape it into any form you want (just make sure it's not treated with pesticides).

Stainless steel spoons can be strung together and hung up and you can make your own fruit/treat kabobs with simple stainless steel wire.

As long as it's clean, safe (no dyes, chemical residues, heavy metals, or small choking parts) you can use it, just use your imagination.

Also look for bird safe dyes like food coloring or other food grade dyes used in baking and use those to color your odds and ends to make it more fun for him.