Pinecones? What Can I do With Them?

[Welshanne]

In the old days we used very large pine cones as a weather warning.
They sat on the windowsill and if the cone was tightly closed it meant rain, open then fine weather, and they were never wrong!
Can't wait to try them out on the birds, may find time to collect some tomorrow.

 

[Beatriz Cazeneuve]

Beatrice, why do you keep them in the frig? I've only used ones I've bought or were give to me already dried. Is there any harm to letting them stand out of the frig?

Because the little scales open up when it's warm and, by keeping them in the fridge, they stay close until I put them out for the birds and, this way, they don't loose the seeds inside.

 

[Welshanne]

Thanks for that, you live and learn don't you?

 

[Birdiemarie]

Thanks Beatrice.

 

[Welshanne]

This is still on my to do list. Weather much too wet to venture out to collect them!

 

[M.C Bird Rescue]

PINE CONES
Pine cones make excellent toys for birds. When collecting pine cones, ensure that they are not old, damp, moldy or are growing moss. Ideally one should collect pine cones as soon as possible after they have fallen to the ground and before they have become wet from rain. This is not always possible. Pine cones are also a favorite hiding spot for little beasts such as spiders and earwigs.
It is not possible to "sterilize" pine cones but heating in an oven will kill molds and little critters and make them safe for the birds to chew on. I heat pine cones in an oven for about 20 minutes at 225 degrees F, then turn off the oven. The pine cones are left in the oven for approx. 2 hours to dry out. It is important not to exceed 225 degrees F. otherwise the pine cones will scorch and possibly catch on fire.
The seeds inside the cones are a special treat and are safe for the birds to eat.





I only heat mine to 225, i wouldnt want to scotch the yummy seeds for the fids! I also sometimes add treats to them and wrap them in paper...I am a foraging freak..anything for the fids.

 

[birdman78]

does anyone have tiels that tried this. Would love to get TJ some

 

[Renae]

Birdman, I give my Cockatiels 2 every day and they absolutely love them. I put fruit, millet, seeds, pellets and veggies in theirs and by the end of the day they're both empty. They're excellent for foraging.

 

[birdman78]

Birdman, I give my Cockatiels 2 every day and they absolutely love them. I put fruit, millet, seeds, pellets and veggies in theirs and by the end of the day they're both empty. They're excellent for foraging.

Great thanks. I'll have the wife go pick some up.

 

[identicaltriplets]

Thanks for all of the ideas everyone. I have been stuffing them with goodies, and I have been rolling them in peanut butter and pellets. Kiwi loves them both ways! Sugar hasn't tried one yet but I will give her one today I think!

And thanks for the baking instructions, Crystal! The ones I received were already baked and clean so this is great if I pick up a few around here though that's likely. Not many in my neck of the woods.

 

[janejacinto]

Have cleaned them myself and it is a pain in the butt, not to mention the mess. Order them now from:
Premium Pine Cones - 100 Med/Large approx. 3.5" - 5"
They are the greatest and the birds love them, all of them, Cockatiel, Goffin's Cockatoo, Congo Grey, Caique. When I get the family over we do a stuffing table and them I will bag them up for later. We stuff with everything from millet to pellets, have not done the peanut butter. Have hung them and just set them around the cage. They go over very big.
Jane

 

[identicaltriplets]

Jane, that looks like a great site! I may try them since I really can't get pinecones around here! Thanks!

And what do y'all use to hang your pinecones? A picture would be great if you have one.

 

[janejacinto]

Will try to take a picture later today and post. Just use SS eye hook and hang, nothing fancy about it at all.
Jane

 

[identicaltriplets]

Thanks Jane! I guess I should get some hooks!

 

[janejacinto]

I do not take good pictures but did take these. Sure you can see what I was talking about.

Jane

 

[birdman78]

Glad to see I'm not the only one that uses baby toys for the fids. love the green ring.

 

[janejacinto]

That is what I use to hang almost all of the things in the cages here. Use some of the little ones also. They are much safer than than those pear hooks, the birds here unscrew those here and I worry about that. Have heard some really bad stories with the other hooks. Have never had a problem with these.
Jane

 

[Paris]

How did I miss this thread...

Before:

After:

 

[janejacinto]

Great pictures, really shows how a bird can tear them up.
Jane

 

[magni]

I just ordered 100 of them, thank you so much for that link