Dangers of synthetic fibres as nesting materials

[gomer]

I found this hen at least a month ago and have been meaning to post it here to share.I thought it was a good example of the perils of having synthetic nesting materials in the aviary.If there is such a good example. I never use cotton, Hessian or any other synthetic nesting material in my aviaries.I have no idea how this piece of cotton has found its way in,the only way I can think of is with the seed perhaps.I found her hanging from her nest of eggs,she had already been dead for some time.As you will see in the photos in this case the cotton was not caught in the leg ring. I am sure there will be some old timers out there who use or have used Hessian.Perhaps being thicker then cotton they have found it not as dangerous ? I know I have untangled Hessian from finches in the past.The only benefit was it was easily spotted on a flying bird.

[desertbirds]

I dont use anything like that gomer and ive also seen several birds tangled in coconut fibre as well.

[jusdeb]

Shame ...thanks for the heads up .

[gomer]

I have never tried coconut fibre sounds like one to steer clear from aswell.

[spanna]

I have coconut fibre in for my birds, haven't had problems with it yet. I find the cordons like to use it for their nests. It's often sold as canary nesting material, I provide it in a wire cage, birds pull it out as they require it. I have had similar experiences (not in my own aviaries) with synthetic fibres though. Sold a pair of birds to my primary school when I was a young bloke, told them specifically not to put it in there, and yet a couple of months later, one of the birds lost a foot and died not long after. Wasn't a happy camper, and didn't sell them any more birds!

[BluJay]

Wow, that is really sad, Gomer. I don't think all synthetics are bad, however, this statement is based on what I used back in the states, http://www.petcarerx.com/catalog/produc ... =751485573, attached to the inside of the cages and avairies. I used the basket type nest and also pushed this http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... CGMQ8wIwAA#, into the bottoms, letting the birds do the rest. It can be crazy what birds can entangle themselves in.

[VinceS]

Say just noticed this topic. I have never cared what I give the birds to nest in, as long as it is soft, and never had a problem! The reason is simple, they don't get anything longer than about 2" (5cm). How I do that is to use whatever spare wool is around, or even bought it, then wrap it round an old ruler / stick / whatever and slice it with a box razer knife. Quick (enough) and easy, and makes masses of material while idly watching tv. If the wool is a bit thin then double or do a few strands at a time.

I wouldn't use cotton and obviously for gomer this was an accident. But I just thought I would mention there is a way to use this type of stuff without any real risk, at least in my experience. And the birds seem to love it as they clean it up a lot quicker than the chicken feathers which I also have in there.

[kenny66]

I have always used cocoanut fibre without any trouble but for the first time I had a gouldian cock and orange breasted waxbill cock get some tangled around their feet this season-the gouldian quite badly. Luckily I noticed the gouldian cock was irritated by something and I checked the rest. Maybe just a dodgy unpliable batch or just bad luck.