I also like to use mop head strings for the same reason, they fray apart rather than become tangled.  I use a lot of hemp as well, it knots really tight and my conures haven't been able to chew through it yet.

We use food coloring to dye the wood.  And we use sisal which we don't dye.  Any chain I use is recycled from store bought parrot toys.  One of Dude's favorite toys is just a length of sisal with knots hanging from the top of his cage.  He uses the rope to climb and swing on.  He's almost 3 know and his chewing ability has increased phenomonally. I don't use the veggie tanned leather lengths anymore cause they're expensive and Dude can chew thru them in minutes.  I also get dyed rawhide from a parrot toy parts supplier and he really enjoys that too.  If anyone has a good supplier for 50 mm wood beads I'd be interested in hearing.  Thanks, Joan.

Joan,

50mm is pretty big, right ?  About 2 inches ?  I don't know where to get hardwood beads that large- the two places I have purchased them from only go up to 3/4 ".

 

But, would Dude like chewing on hard manzanita disks- colored or natural ?  If so, I have a great source for you on that.  Here is an example- the diameters vary from 1" to 2 1/2".

 

 

I used to buy large wooden beads at a woodcrafter's shop in my town.  At least 50mm.  They had shapes of all kinds in unfinished wood. I bought bells, cups, wafers, animal shapes, all kinds of things.

Look under Arts and Crafts Supplies in your phonebook.

Annie

 

Ring, thanks for the suggestion, but the manzanita seems to frustrate Dude -- he can't make any headway with it.  Right now his favorite is the remains of the coconut octopus he got from my sis-in-law.  He loved chewing on the beads that were on the arms and now all that's left is the coconut and the sisal arms.  He sticks his head under the coconut shell (like it's a hat) and lets the arms dangle all over his face like hair.  He's such a crack up.  Joan

Hey Ring-a-ling,

Are you Bird Carpentry???  I think I recognize those hands  in that picture! teehee.

i would appreciate the source for the large manzanite blocks =)  i also found an awesome site that sells bird toys and parts to make your own toys, will forward that if ya want it =)

 

islandf

Ebay...great source for manzanita toys and parts....