Parrot shredding toys for hens?

[EmmaDonovan]

I had an older tarp over part of their pen. It started to fray and the chickens began shredding it into strings. They have plenty of room and stuff to do, I think they just did that because it was fun (?). I replaced the tarp with a new one because I was concerned they might ingest some of the strings.

They also like to pull at loose threads from the curtains for their nest boxes. I cut off any loose threads I find, again I don't want them to eat them. I haven't actually seen them eat any tarp strings or curtain threads. I don't know if there's any real danger or not, I'm just erring on the side of caution.

Since they like to shred stuff is there any reason not to give them parrot shredder toys? I'm looking at ones that say they have "friendly edible dyes, no glue, wires or plastics." Would chickens try to eat the paper? Do parrots eat that paper? Are those toys safe for chickens?

 

[Debbie292d]

I had an older tarp over part of their pen. It started to fray and the chickens began shredding it into strings. They have plenty of room and stuff to do, I think they just did that because it was fun (?). I replaced the tarp with a new one because I was concerned they might ingest some of the strings.

They also like to pull at loose threads from the curtains for their nest boxes. I cut off any loose threads I find, again I don't want them to eat them. I haven't actually seen them eat any tarp strings or curtain threads. I don't know if there's any real danger or not, I'm just erring on the side of caution.

Since they like to shred stuff is there any reason not to give them parrot shredder toys? I'm looking at ones that say they have "friendly edible dyes, no glue, wires or plastics." Would chickens try to eat the paper? Do parrots eat that paper? Are those toys safe for chickens, or no?

As you know, Emma, I have chickens. You may or may not have known that I also have two macaw parrots.

The parrots just shred their "toys" and don't eat it, the same with the painted wooden blocks...they just shave those blocks so I have a pile of shredded wood on the floor of the cage.

Would the chickens like those? I've never tried giving ours anything from the parrots, but in your case, I wouldn't see the harm at all unless you noticed there's no shredding left, meaning they're eating it. I wouldn't think chickens would eat that though. Those toys are sort of pricey but you could get one just to see how it goes.

This is one thing I've bought. If you want to pick something out, search for macaw toys, but then read the reviews as so many are deceptive. They'll show a macaw with it but people will say it's for a parakeet.

 

[Altairsky]

What about giving them something edible to shred, like a whole cabbage or a whole spinach or salad plant?

 

[horror_trashcan]

I am also looking for safe toys to put in the coop. I have seen my chicks peck at the string to their swing but I think they shortly realize it's not food and get bored.
I don't know how often chickens eat things they shouldn't but if the toy is all natural wood/hemp string etc, I don't see why its not safe. I'm sure they've eaten wood flakes I doubt this would be any different.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

I bought these:

The colored strips of paper look just like the crinkly strips from the shredded tarp. I thought that would attract the chickens.

At first it seemed like they weren't interested. They walked up, pecked at it, decided it wasn't food and wandered off.

By the next day all the paper strips were gone. About a third were on the ground and the rest were missing so I guess they decided those were food??

Next they started on the sola balls which are sort of cork-like. The chickens love pecking those to pieces. It looked like they were eating some of the bits that fell on the ground but mostly they just like pecking it into oblivion. They haven't shown any interest in the other parts, yet.

The Amazon listing says they use edible dyes. Sola is an edible aquatic plant. The reviews say it's a popular if messy toy for birds and pet rats.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

Update: sola balls are completely gone. They also somehow got all the colored wood bits out of the sepak takraw without breaking the rattan, I'm impressed.

 

[horror_trashcan]

Update: sola balls are completely gone. They also somehow got all the colored wood bits out of the sepak takraw without breaking the rattan, I'm impressed.

When I had rats I would purchase them similar toys, it looks like chickens aren't too different. Only unfortunate how quickly they 'finished' it. I wonder if they would enjoy hanging a colored cork bark, something they can pick and tear at without spending too much.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

When I had rats I would purchase them similar toys, it looks like chickens aren't too different. Only unfortunate how quickly they 'finished' it. I wonder if they would enjoy hanging a colored cork bark, something they can pick and tear at without spending too much.

I imagine rats would love almost any parrot toy, that's brilliant. Cork bark would be interesting for the chickens. Do you have a link to what you're thinking of?

It looks like you can buy just the sola balls, too, they have the same feel as cork. A pack of 6 is $14 at Amazon.

 

[horror_trashcan]

I imagine rats would love almost any parrot toy, that's brilliant. Cork bark would be interesting for the chickens. Do you have a link to what you're thinking of?

It looks like you can buy just the sola balls, too, they have the same feel as cork. A pack of 6 is $14 at Amazon.

Just this, its just a piece of cork bark although I see a lot that are expensive. https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Natural-Round-Medium/dp/B000QFR6AQ?th=1 I imagine they can just peck this apart or you could create your own safe dyed corkboard with it if its not visually stimulating enough. I am however starting to think I'm just thinking of an inedible food block/toy... I wonder if you could just use their food and make 'cakes' so they aren't messing up their diet, could add dyes to make it more fun as well.

 

[horror_trashcan]

Just this, its just a piece of cork bark although I see a lot that are expensive. https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Natural-Round-Medium/dp/B000QFR6AQ?th=1 I imagine they can just peck this apart or you could create your own safe dyed corkboard with it if its not visually stimulating enough. I am however starting to think I'm just thinking of an inedible food block/toy... I wonder if you could just use their food and make 'cakes' so they aren't messing up their diet, could add dyes to make it more fun as well.

I'm going to attempt this at some point for my chicks in the brooder, I'll let you know if they like it.