Plastic Beads versus wooden ones?

[WinZip77]

:budge:Hello,

I have been thinking for some time about building some bead toys for my Budgies as I have a hair piece with beads that they go for every time they are on my shoulders, or they see it. I just don't know what type of beads are the best. I went to the local Michael's craft store and they had plastic pony beads, glass beads, wooden beads and actual gemstone beads.

Does anyone have any recommendations or knowledge about the benefits of hazards of the different beads? I heard glass can break and I don't want it, but are the plastic pony beads strong enough for my females beak? I don't want her eating bits of plastic either!

Please help, and thanks in advance! :budge:

[BobbyAndBridie]

Wooden beads have a more natural look to them.... but if you want a brighter looking cage, pony beads are good.. you just need to make sure they dont have paint on them, as some budgies like to peck at it....gemstone beads i would say no to, one they are probably more expensive and are probably made using chemicals etc. Well thats just my opinoion...

[Robin's Nest]

I have made my cockatiel some toys with the plastic pony beads and he has not broken any. I'm not sure if he cannot break them, or simply hasn't broken them. They are pretty hard, though! :)

[tstmard]

I've used both wooden beads and pony beads for my fids toys.

[Tiger]

I'm planning on making my own beads. I'll use natural Aussie materials such as she-oak nuts and banksia cones. The cones I can cut across into discs and I can also drill through the she-oak nuts. I'll thread them onto leather thong and let the birds chew them to pieces.

There are other kinds of beads which can be made at home. Play doh could be a problem if it's made with salt (some recipes do). But if you make it yourself, you know what is in it. From my own observation, my birds LOVE to chew things to pieces. And as they chew, the toys change shape and character, which (for them) keeps them interested, it's like new toys all the time. The main thing you need to do is be prepared, so when they destroy them you have more ready to take their place.

[Whistle&Steve]

You can take wooden beads and dye them yourself with food coloring.

[WinZip77]

Thanks for all of your suggestions,
I saw a package of wooden undyed beads that I think I may purchase and dye a few bright colors using my Wilton food color gels. There are dyed wooden beads but it doesn't say the type of dye they used, plus it is more of a stain as the beads are just different colors of brown and tan. I hope the Wilton food color gels will be okay for them, I mean we eat them...but we also eat avocado and mushrooms and they can't eat them...I know of some natural dyes like turmeric and beets and cabbages and onion skins that will produce some nice colors on Easter eggs, maybe I will use the same method on the beads....hmmm, hope it works and if it does I will summit some pictures for everyone.

Thanks again!