Wood type suggestions

[jzarc17]

Hello All!

I have a newly adopted African Grey. I purchased a ton of toys recently, mostly wood slats that I think are pine with a thickness of about 1/4 inch. This Grey is going through a toy a day. My previous grey was a lighter chewer. I need to find a type of wood that is harder than pine to slow her down at least a little. $85 dollars of toys from 3 days ago is nearly gone lol. I love seeing her enjoying life but I’m going to need a side hustle soon!

 

[Mizzely]

My Jardine's is a beaver. Doing 1/2" pine instead helps a lot. Also wood cut with the grain instead of against it. Sarah has a guide on her website for the difference: Bird Toy Size Guide ~ Helpful Information for Choosing Bird Toys

Basswood is one you could look at, too. Ripley also enjoys birch a bit but that's really hard so not all birds will go for it, same as apple. Willow and cottonwood are similar to pine but can add some variety.

Also if they like to shred at all, things like telephone books, cardboard, and other shreddables can be a lot of fun and are inexpensive. Helps keep the toy budget in tact

Foraging also is a good way of keeping their beak busy. I did reviews on some here: Foraging Toy Reviews

 

[Linwood]

Cardboard centers of paper towels and toilet paper, especially stuffed with anything, is a favorite as well.

Junk mail envelopes (literally as I write this).

She loves balsa and sola wood, just absolutely loves them -- but they last about a minute, so way too expensive.

Pine she will work on a bit but gets discouraged. But she goes back to it again and again. Lazy bird syndrome I think.

Really old cardboard is probably her main "tear up" toy. She has a bunch of foraging toys she likes that do not get destroyed or destroyed slowly (including hard plastic that she can't hurt at all). But give her a roll of cardboard and she's a happy bird.

 

[Finchbreed]

I love the idea of - sorry teacher the bird ate my homework - after seeing the above pic.

 

[Shezbug]

Same wood but in larger chunks should save you some money and give your bird more than a few minutes of chew time.

 

[jzarc17]

Same wood but in larger chunks should save you some money and give your bird more than a few minutes of chew time.

The larger pieces does sound like the trick. I’m going to give that a go. I now affectionately call my bird a chicken of mass destruction lol

 

[Toy]

Our CAG loves plastic toys. Her favorite are a set of baby stacking cups. You can use them as foraging toys as well.

 

[jzarc17]

My Jardine's is a beaver. Doing 1/2" pine instead helps a lot. Also wood cut with the grain instead of against it. Sarah has a guide on her website for the difference: Bird Toy Size Guide ~ Helpful Information for Choosing Bird Toys

Basswood is one you could look at, too. Ripley also enjoys birch a bit but that's really hard so not all birds will go for it, same as apple. Willow and cottonwood are similar to pine but can add some variety.

Also if they like to shred at all, things like telephone books, cardboard, and other shreddables can be a lot of fun and are inexpensive. Helps keep the toy budget in tact

Foraging also is a good way of keeping their beak busy. I did reviews on some here: Foraging Toy Reviews

That toy size guide is really helpful! So is the review of the foraging items! I LOVE using foraging items! Anything to keep them busy!

 

[jzarc17]

Cardboard centers of paper towels and toilet paper, especially stuffed with anything, is a favorite as well.

Junk mail envelopes (literally as I write this).

She loves balsa and sola wood, just absolutely loves them -- but they last about a minute, so way too expensive.

Pine she will work on a bit but gets discouraged. But she goes back to it again and again. Lazy bird syndrome I think.

Really old cardboard is probably her main "tear up" toy. She has a bunch of foraging toys she likes that do not get destroyed or destroyed slowly (including hard plastic that she can't hurt at all). But give her a roll of cardboard and she's a happy bird.


View attachment 464477

Yes, my grey loves to shred cardboard.

 

[jzarc17]

Our CAG loves plastic toys. Her favorite are a set of baby stacking cups. You can use them as foraging toys as well.

I have some cute little plastic mugs that I hang all over the place and I put little bits of seed in them. They are a big hit!

 

[amy burke]

I love the idea of - sorry teacher the bird ate my homework - after seeing the above pic.

We literally had this happen to my 4th graders homework... the baby GCC nibbled the edges. She was excited to tell the teacher her bird ate her homework