Down feathers from pillow for nesting box?

[LaFleche]

I agree with the compost idea.

Old pillows are probably full of all sorts of gunk you wouldn't want stuck to your eggs.

...and neither to the hens' vent.

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

Thanks everyone! I'll wait til spring and put on the compost pile or sprinkle around the garden for birds. These pillows are probably 30 years old tbh so I'm not too worried about chemicals at this point.

 

[linguini]

Thanks everyone! I'll wait til spring and put on the compost pile or sprinkle around the garden for birds. These pillows are probably 30 years old tbh so I'm not too worried about chemicals at this point.

Just an idea: you can use the pillows for insulation on top of the roof of the coop! and cover with tarp or plastic.

 

[NatJ]

what is the reason for having the 'wool hen'?

A "wool hen" is a place for baby chicks can snuggle together and stay warm. It's like being under a real hen, except that all of the heat comes from the chicks themselves.

It's nice because it does not need any electricity, and there is no risk of fire.

Whether a wool hen is warm enough will depend on the temperature at the time, the age of the chicks, and how many chicks there are.

(I have never personally used one, so I'm just going by what I have read. I've only raised chicks with a heat lamp, or with a real live hen.)

 

[bhawk-23]

I also have old down pillows and composting never crossed my mind! Thanks.

So what about wool fleece? It's only skirted so still have some sticks and bedding but no poop. I tried it in the nest boxes but they hated it Any insight as to why? And I'm guessing the fleece could also go into the compost, yeah?

I'd prefer it to go to a spinner but I haven't found anyone yet.

 

[3KillerBs]

I also have old down pillows and composting never crossed my mind! Thanks.

So what about wool fleece? It's only skirted so still have some sticks and bedding but no poop. I tried it in the nest boxes but they hated it Any insight as to why? And I'm guessing the fleece could also go into the compost, yeah?

I'd prefer it to go to a spinner but I haven't found anyone yet.

Try a local historic site. They often have handspinners who demonstrate there (though I haven't be able to do it at the site my DH works at since the Covid mess started).

 

[bhawk-23]

Yep, my guild has lots of spinners and they do those historical days. But in the winter no one wants to clean the fleece, outside hahaha

 

[3KillerBs]

Yep, my guild has lots of spinners and they do those historical days. But in the winter no one wants to clean the fleece, outside hahaha

I'm not fussy about fresh fleece so I just store wool in an airy shed until good weather.

 

[bhawk-23]

Yeah, I have been storing it for a while now for when I am going to learn to spin. But since treating my ADHD, which allows me to have reasoning, which was non existent for 45 years who knew, I realize I am not going to learn to spin, I'm not going to knit, I'm not going to scrapbook, I'm not going to.........you get the point. Hahaha
So now, if I cannot use them for weaving, they are finding new homes. I had considered weaving wool mats for the nesting boxes and then putting straw on top. Just for more padding and a good use for the wool.

 

[bhawk-23]

I also considered using it for dog bed stuffing since I made a cover but my small dog passed this summer and not sure I have enough for the Mastiff. Hahaha