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 You'll Need

  • 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
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Instructions

    • 1

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

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.