Dollar store toy parts

[tstmard]

So I went to the Dollar Tree today to see what I could get for making bird toys. I actually found quite afew. I got the small wiffle balls 12 for a $1, a 5 pack of practice baseballs (pretty much big wiffle balls), plastic drinking straws, some curlers(although I just checked and think I got the wrong type but will make them work some way), some natural old fashioned clothes pins, and some colored craft sticks. So I should be able to make a variaty of toys now.
But my questions are ...
1) Do you think the colored craft sticks are safe? I got one wet and the color does come off. If anyone thinks they aren't then I guess they'll be for my kids to make things out of.
2) They also have these packs of wicker balls that are plain colored. Do you think they would be birds safe? Or do you think they probably have been treated with something?

[Morpheus]

1) I wouldn't use the colored craft sticks if they bleed. Who the heck knows what they use to dye it!

2) Wicker often has a glaze on it. Is it shiny? I wouldn't use it if it's shiny/been treated with something.

Sorry to be a downer! :(

[atvchick95]

if the color bleeds its safe if it doesn't come off thats when you don't want to use it

I also bought the same wiffle balls (practice golf balls ) and the old fashioned clothes pins from my dollar tree :D thats where i got the hanging basket I posted the pictures of the toy i made of it a couple days ago

are the balls made of wicker or grape vine? I bought some grape vine balls at a bird fair a few weekends ago, and if i wasn't told any different i would of thought it was wicker.

[tstmard]

if the color bleeds its safe if it doesn't come off thats when you don't want to use it

I also bought the same wiffle balls (practice golf balls ) and the old fashioned clothes pins from my dollar tree :D thats where i got the hanging basket I posted the pictures of the toy i made of it a couple days ago

are the balls made of wicker or grape vine? I bought some grape vine balls at a bird fair a few weekends ago, and if i wasn't told any different i would of thought it was wicker.

Thank you. I knew that you knew which was which, I just couldn't remember. I'm not sure what the balls are made of they don't say. And I can't remember what exactly they called them. They looked like wicker to me. I think I'll just pass on them though since I don't know exactly how they've been treated.

[atvchick95]

I'll see if any of the pics i have show the Grape vine balls I bought really well and send you a private message with the picture

[ronsig]

I bought some plain wicker balls for my birds once. They weren't dyed and looked natural. I washed them in cold water to make sure they were clean. And then I noticed a very strong chemical smell...and I threw them out:o I just wouldn't take any chance. Now I only buy these things in pet stores where they are untreated (I hope).
I noticed that some of these wicker balls in bags have warnings like: "Not for human consumption." I would take that as a hint that they aren't good for my birds.

Plastic toys are ok I think because the birds don't chew them....
I think it is best to be extra careful. Our birds are so small and any chemical will affect them more than us.....

Sigrid

[Pippin's mom]

Yes if the cplor bleeds when you wet it its safe.:) Can't wait to see pics of your new creations!

[Babybreau]

I went to our local dollar store today and came back with an assortment of toys!

I got:
- cat toy with long soft legs, that I attached to sides of the cages for soft perches, made out of cotton, not fake fur
- tiny hand held mirror
- natural wood bead bracelets
- mardi gras-type beads
- bamboo stick wind chime to make into a ladder
- coffee filters to make flowers
- sandwich container for small birdbath
- pkg of 70 plastic ties to attach things to the sides of the cage

I washed everything in cold water before putting anything in the cage.

I was finding all kinds of things as I walked up and down the aisles! I posted a pic under the cage setup sticky thread. Gotta love the $ stores!

I also went to the pet store to see what they had for toys and perches, and picked up a rope perch. I was amazed at how CRAPPY a selection of toys and bird accessories our Pets Unlimited store had. Guess I'll be scouring the online sites and Ebay!

[DeBree420]

personally, i would not use wood with an unknown dye as there are some water soluble dyes that are toxic and i just wont risk it, regardless of that, you cont know what treatment process the wood went through before being dyed... sorry to be a downer,
in my opinion it is safer to buy untreated wood sticks, and colour them yourself with food dye...