How to Color Bird Toys

How to Color Bird Toys. Birds kept in captivity use toys for exercise, stimulation and amusement. Parrots in particular benefit from having an assortment of toys available. Parrots that become bored may develop bad habits such as screaming, biting and feather plucking. There is no need to buy expensive bird toys when you can make entertaining and colorful bird-safe toys yourself for a fraction of the cost. You can make bird toys from many different materials, but you can only color those that will accept a water-based dye. Cotton fabric, sisal rope and bird-safe wood are ideal materials for colored bird toys.

Things Needed

• 16 ounces rubbing alcohol
• 1-quart glass or metal container
• Vegetable-based food coloring
• Colorant made for bird toys
• Metal mixing spoon
• Metal tongs
• Paper towels

Step 1

Pour 16 ounces rubbing alcohol into a 1-quart glass or metal container.

Step 2

Add 1/2-ounce coloring to the rubbing alcohol and stir with a metal spoon until the coloring dissolves. The color will dry lighter than what it appears, so add more coloring, 1/4 ounce at a time, until the color is slightly darker than what you want.

Step 3

Place the bird toy in the rubbing alcohol/coloring mixture. Use metal tongs to turn the toy until it is soaked with the mixture.

Step 4

Remove the bird toy from the mixture, using the tongs, and check the color. For deeper coloring, leave the bird toy in the mixture for a longer period.

Step 5

Lift the bird toy from the mixture when the coloring is complete. Hold the toy over the container and allow the excess liquid to drain back into the container.

Step 6

Place the bird toy on a paper towel to dry. All traces of alcohol must evaporate before you give the toy to your bird.

Warnings

• Make a variety of toys and store them in a bird-safe basket. Let your bird pick through the basket to choose the toy he wants.
• For an easy mix-and-store method for coloring, purchase rubbing alcohol in the 16-ounce size. Pour out 1 ounce of the rubbing alcohol, and then pour 1 ounce of coloring into the bottle. Replace the lid and shake. This mixed color can be stored for future use.
• For an interesting color effect, dip a cotton swab in the color mixture and apply "dots" of color on the bird toy.

Warnings

• You should not use paint on bird toys, even non-toxic paint, as your bird can ingest small amounts of the paint.
• Do not use flavored drink or gelatin mixes as colorings for your bird's toys. The fruity scent of these flavorings may tempt your bird into eating the toy.

References

• Birds n Ways: Winged Wisdom Pet Bird -- All About Bird Toys FAQ
• Birds Just Wanna Have Fun: Bird Toy Info
• It's A Grey's World: The Art of Toy-Making
• Birds n Ways: The Toy Maker -- Toy Materials, Toy Safety Tips