Parrots use pine cones as chew toys and impromptu feeders. Unfortunately, many pine cones are unsuitable for birds. Unless you sanitize pine cones, they can harm pet birds.
Only harvest new, undamaged pine cones between September and October. Avoid pine cones that are slick, slimy, or decaying, as well as ones coated in moss and black mold.
Sterilize pine cones by combining warm water, antibacterial soap, white vinegar, and a bird-safe disinfectant. Soak them for 30 minutes and wipe them with a sterile cloth or sponge.
To bake pine cones, get the oven to 390 degrees Fahrenheit and heat them for 20 minutes. Then, let the pine cones absorb the ambient heat for 2 hours before removing them.
Preparing Pine Cones for Parrots
Let’s look at how to prepare pine cones for birds:
Early Collection
Gather pine cones shortly after they fall to the ground, which should be around the end of September to the beginning of October. At the latest, gather them before October’s rainy season.
Once the rainy season arrives, pine cones attract mold, fungi, bacteria, and insects. Because they’re harder to remove, there’s a greater risk of harmful pathogens and pests.
According to Nature, pine cones release their seeds in the rainy season, which isn’t advantageous for parrots. They’ll lose out on hidden seeds, and there’s more risk of harmful contaminants.
Select The Right Pine Cones
Ideally, select pine cones that are dry and light-colored. According to Interface, the driest cones will be opened at their widest point.
If you find slimy cones, pass them over because they’ve begun to go rotten.
Cleaning The Pine Cones
There’s also the washing method. If you want to be extra cautious, wash the pine cones and bake them.
Let’s explore these methods in more detail:
Washing Method
Even if you purchased the pine cones at a craft store, washing them is essential to ensure no pesticides, bacteria, mold, fungi, perfumes, or sealants are on the surface.
Washing takes 2-3 hours per batch of cones. You’ll soak them in a solution with the following:
- Warm water.
- Antibacterial soap.
- A cup of white vinegar.
- Avian-safe disinfectant.
Fill a tub or sink with the solution, and ensure all cones are fully submerged. They may float to the top but dunk them several times.
Once this is done, allow them to soak for 30+ minutes. Then, rotate them in the water to ensure the solution reaches every crevice. Afterward, you should:
- Take a cloth or sponge and clean the cones. Try to access the inner layers.
- Rinse the pine cones in running water.
- Inspect each cone for mold, fungi, moss, or insects.
- If the pine cones remain sticky, give them an additional soak.
- If they’re unchanged after a second soak, consider making a fresh batch of the solution.
- Lay the pine cones on a clean towel or newspaper, allowing them to dry in direct sunlight.
- Space out the pine cones so there’s sufficient airflow.
Baking Method
This method can be used after washing the pine cones because the heat can further disinfect the hidden crevices that scrubbing can’t reach. Here’s what to do:
- Preheat the oven to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Take a large baking tray and line it with tin foil. Pine cones are sticky due to their sap, and tin foil will prevent them from adhering to the pan.
- Bake the pine cones for at least 20 minutes or until the outside is no longer sticky.
- After baking, don’t remove the pine cones from the oven.
- Turn the oven off, but allow the pine cones to remain for 2 more hours.
- Cooking in the ambient heat will thoroughly dry the pine cones.
Store them in a dry box with breathing holes to increase their shelf life.
Pine Cones Safety for Parrots
Pine cones are safe for parrots to bite, chew, peck at, and play with. Owners use clean pine cones as chew toys and beak cleaners because they’re made of bracts (cone branches).
These bracts are tough but malleable, making them fun to peck. The abrasive nature allows parrots to wear down extra growth on their beaks, keeping them trimmed.
Tiny seeds are between the pine cone’s bracts, and they reward parrots that have torn through the layers. Some parrots will also feed on pieces of the cone for fiber.
Store-Bought Pine Cones
Store-bought pine cones (found at craft stores) often contain sealants, perfumes, and glitter. These make them more appealing and resistant to decay.
All pine cones must be sanitized before being given to pet parrots. As discussed earlier, avoid pine cones with signs of decay or coated in eye-catching decorations like glitter.
Sterilizing pine cones is crucial because it ensures its new toys are parrot-safe. These steps enable you to provide sanitized cones ready to become feeders or chew toys.
