Fur as a nesting material?

[The Farmers' Daughter]

I know that wild birds collect all kinds of things, including fur, to build there nests.

Has anyone ever used dog fur as a bedding material in their nest boxes? How did it work out?

Pros? Cons?

 

[azygous]

I wouldn't let hair or fur anywhere near my chickens as it can be ingested and cause blockages in the digestive tract. As a hen is fluffing the nest, she can also get a strand of hair or fur wrapped around her tongue and that can cause a very painful problem.

I urge you to rethink this idea.

 

[Mimi13]

I've seen wild birds use just about everything from horse mane and tail strands, to thread, to the blue woven plastic from tarps for their nests. It seems strange to think that the same items used by one bird (wild) could easily be considered deadly for another (Chicken), but I guess that’s just the way God made them.

 

[Mrs. K]

Mostly what you want bedding in the nest for, is to keep the eggs as dry, and therefore as clean as possible. I use waste hay, and it does not pack down. I think that fur or dog hair will matt down, and get very dense, not elevating any poo, and keeping everything wet. Not a good nest.

So I vote no too.

 

[aart]

I've seen wild birds use just about everything from horse mane and tail strands, to thread, to the blue woven plastic from tarps for their nests. It seems strange to think that the same items used by one bird (wild) could easily be considered deadly for another (Chicken)

Difference might be we don't see the mishaps that are possible in wild birds.

 

[The Farmers' Daughter]

Excellent points.
I was just musing out loud so to speak. Now that I think of it, wild birds weave their nests, while the chickens don't

 

[Rooapalooza]

Excellent points.
I was just musing out loud so to speak. Now that I think of it, wild birds weave their nests, while the chickens don't

Off topic but have you seen that bird that weaves a leaf into a nest (basically she makes a hammock on the underside of the leaf and then uses the top of the leaf as camouflage/shelter? I can't imagine my chickens doing that. Although they do pick blades of grass and throw them over their shoulders to make the nest more comfortable . I've heard crows steal wool, but I can't remember what they use it for... tiny sweaters?

 

[The Farmers' Daughter]

Off topic but have you seen that bird that sows a leave into a nest (basically she makes a hammock on the underside of the leaf and then uses the top of the leaf as camouflage/shelter? I can't imagine my chickens doing that. Although they do pick blades of grass and throw them over their shoulders to make the nest more comfortable . I've heard crows steal wool, but I can't remember what they use it for... tiny sweaters?

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Lol. I'd love to see birds flying around in little sweaters.

I haven't seen that little one before. It's amazing how ingenious birds can be.

 

[Mimi13]

Difference might be we don't see the mishaps that are possible in wild birds.

This is true.

 

[reymithcel]

True, as a hen is lightening the home, she can likewise get a strand of hair or hide folded over her tongue and that can cause an extremely excruciating issue