Dog Fir

[seelie]

Does anyone like me put out dog hair for the birds. After brushing our German Shepherd I usually put the fir on the lawn for the birds - its disappears in minutes. I have at times emptied our vacuum of fir - it's so funny to see the sparrows grabing it and getting a dust bath at the same time, but they'll end up with lovely warm nests and our dog has plenty to spare.

[smudge]

Apart from animal fur - my brother-in-law has been watching two nests through his super duper binoculars & has seen a length of bright blue thick rope hanging out of one of them!

They are so fascinating to watch.

[malaise]

I put out my tumble dryer fluff! I'm sure the neighbours must think I'm mad :)

[Robinia]

yes seelie I have a little KC spaniel who is clipped regularly so I have a good supply for the springtime.

I fill a fat ball holder with it & hang it in the cherry tree. It's very popular with the finches & blue/great tits as well as the sparrows - it's hilarious to watch them tussling with it & flying away with what looks like a white & ginger beard! Must be some lovely snuggly nests around here. :o)

[smudge]

malaise - I also put all the fluff from our tumble dryer out in the garden - it's quite comincal watching the birds pulling & tugging at it, then flying off to make their little homes!

[smudge]

*comical even!

[Thunderbird+]

I'm another one who dose it seelie, I stuff handfulls of fur in a bush close to the feeders, where they cue up to take their turn at the feeders. Its like a one stop shop and nest build shop.

[gessoo]

Yep, me too. Every time I brush and comb our 2 dogs and 2 cats all the fur gets put outside. Never thought about the tumble drier fluff! Will put in out tomorrow.

[seelie]

Hi there ! Got good people on answer bank. I'd never thought about the tumble dryer - excellent idea. I put some out this afternoon and it vanished pronto. Apologies for misspelling FUR (fir). Cheers!

[burnhal]

and dont forget your own hair- as well as putting the dog fur out, when my missus cuts my hair it goes outside during the nesting season as well!

[Robinia]

I think my little dog is getting worried, the birds are taking the fur today faster than he can grow it & he says he's not parting with anymore just yet!

[WendyS]

Carpet fluff extracted from the bag of my vacuum cleaner is also very popular at nest building time. It's a bit of a long winded operation to pull it out but I reckon if you had to build a nest using only your beak, you're entitled to all the help you can get !

[gecko4]

There were birds nesting where i kept my horse who just couldn't wait for the loose hair to fall out so they used to sit on the backs of the horses in the field and pull clumps out! The horses didnt seem to mind though, it was their thick winter coats they were shedding and the birds were probably doing them a favour!