[EJQ]

I couldn't begin to count the number of bird nests that we have found over the years that have been constructed of hair from either our dogs or horses. One way to promote this is to take the hair from your brushes and combs and put it in the branches of a nearby tree or bush. They're kind of neat to collect.

 

[Vinnie]

Yep, I've found 2 so far this spring made from horse hair, dry grass and other materials they found around the yard. The horse hair in the ones I've seen is usually packed in the bottom of the nest.

Here's one (can you see some of the hair?);

 

[Barb E]

Thanks for the tip about putting the hair in the tree, I have seen some birds pick up Dante's hair from the ground but I'll put it up.

That undercoat should go to some good use

 

[Spiritsmam]

When I brush the dogs out I always put their hair out for the birds. A couple of times I have found nests that have blown out of the trees and have been amazed at how much hair there is in them. It's nice that it can be out to good use.

 

[Lauri & The Gang]

When I had ducks the barn swallows built a down nest!! I think I have pictures somewhere. Those babies were QUITE snug!!

 

[SouthernBelle]

I leave the hair out for the birds too. My mom even empties the hairbrushes out side for them ( she a real bird watcher) LOL. We have a nest full of babies in my wind chime on the front porch right now. Its hard to keep the kids out of it, but theyre getting the point.

 

[arycrest]

In the spring the Hooligans undercoat dissappears as fast as I can rake it out - you see all sorts of birds picking it up.

My Zebra Finches loved soft undercoat to line their nests, same with my Canaries.

 

[crackem]

The birds come and pick up the hair as soon as we go inside from brushing. My mom makes me brush the dogs every time I visit cause she likes to watch the birds swoop in to clean it all up.

 

[SunCzarina]

We had a huge nest that fell out of our willow tree during a storm. Not only was it full of dog hair, there was a plastic bag and something that looked suspiciously like a tube sock in there!

 

[czgsd]

Yup. In the spring, we put fur (GSD and Persian cats) out for the birds. It's nice that it goes to good use.

 

[Vinnie]

Originally Posted By: SunCzarina Not only was it full of dog hair, there was a plastic bag and something that looked suspiciously like a tube sock in there!

Too funny. So that's where the missing socks go? It's not the dryer that eats them after all.

 

[shadow mum]

It was my kids who turned me on to leaving the dog hair out for the birds. I was outside brushing our Shep X, Smoke, and turned around to find my kids emptying the plastic bag into the bushes. Couldn't figure out what they were up to, but they said that the "mama birds used it for blankets to keep the babies warm!!" Gotta love em.

 

[Patsy]

Goooood one, Vinnie!!!! Now let my hubby digest THAT one!
Too rich!
With 3 GSDs, even the birds can't keep up with all the hair but I do love finding the nests lined with dog-down and reinforced with the mane and tail horsehair. I put the dog hair in the bags oranges come from, the birds land on it (kinda like those finch bag feeders) and while hanging shop for just the softest and downiest of the dog-down. Must pluck the horse hair off the fence posts that reap the hair from the boys swaying and itching their butts......
Gotta love the beasts N birdies!