Dog Hair for Nesting Material?

Ask your questions about breeding finches here.
User avatar
Nrg800
...............................
...............................
Posts: 597
Joined: 16 Dec 2010, 21:29
Location: Sydney

I remember hearing at Dubbo zoo that whenever the zoo shaves the Bison, they chuck the fur into the Aviarys for nesting material. Could I do the same thing with my dog? She's very hairy and gets a shave twice a year, or so. And would I need to quarantine it for a week or so, if I do use it?

Thanks!!
Latest Lifer: Black-headed Gull (HaLong Bay. #528)
Australia List: 324 (White-throated Nightjar)
Global Year List: 119 (Powerful Owl)
User avatar
jusdeb
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Posts: 9796
Joined: 12 Mar 2009, 19:43
Location: Dubbo, NSW
Location: Western Plains NSW

Just a bit of trivia NRG ...did you know that in the USA Bison hair brings more $$$$ per kilo (pound) than any of the domesticated critters kept for wool / hair production ie. alpacas etc .

Its true ... I saw it on Dirty Jobs and we all know Mike wouldn't tell us fibs . :thumbup:
Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue.
David Brent
User avatar
Fincho162
...............................
...............................
Posts: 263
Joined: 11 Jan 2011, 13:38
Location: Hobart

If its clean use it my friend we always have done.........the whiter the better in most cases.
Cup nesters and Diamond sparrows adore it.
User avatar
Nrg800
...............................
...............................
Posts: 597
Joined: 16 Dec 2010, 21:29
Location: Sydney

jusdeb wrote:
Its true ... I saw it on Dirty Jobs and we all know Mike wouldn't tell us fibs . :thumbup:
It's true! Except when he has a lemur orally attached to his finger...

And thanks for tat Fincho! Imma so excited for my aviary!! =D
Latest Lifer: Black-headed Gull (HaLong Bay. #528)
Australia List: 324 (White-throated Nightjar)
Global Year List: 119 (Powerful Owl)
User avatar
Diane
..............................
..............................
Posts: 7402
Joined: 05 Apr 2009, 14:23
Location: Northern 'burbs of Adelaide
Location: Northern 'burbs of Adelaide

Ive used hair from a white Papillon, a black Pomeranian, the undercoat on the Pom was used quite a bit, very soft and fluffy, thats usually a grey colour.
Diane
The difference between Genius and Stupidity is, Genius has it’s limits
User avatar
Jayburd
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Posts: 5795
Joined: 08 Dec 2009, 12:08
Location: Canberra

adam fitzgerald told me his red capped robins used dog hair (soft and warm) for lining their cobweb nest :)
Julian

Birdwatcher and finch-keeper.

Feel free to check out my photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lewinsrail/
And my birding antics here: http://worthtwointhebushbirding.blogspot.com.au/
User avatar
monotwine
...............................
...............................
Posts: 352
Joined: 15 Jun 2010, 20:36
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Location: South Africa

I've used my border collie's hair before after washing and grooming. A word of caution - those little strands can and DO get tangled around chicks legs. So keep a look out for any problems. I had a few chicks looks toes and feet to hairy constraints.
I don't use fur anymore as I have a steady supply of down bedding feathers instead.
Monique
User avatar
COUNTRY CAPITAL
...............................
...............................
Posts: 610
Joined: 01 Sep 2010, 08:25
Location: TAMWORTH

Mine love horse hair.... because my dogs have short hair and wont share....as fincho said the whiter the better.
masks,diamonds,stars,parrotfinches etc will make it disappear before your eyes. :P
i dont think it hurts to experiment a bit.....during cotton harvest season the stuff lines the edge of the highway up this way and my finches appreciate it also for lining their nests. :thumbup:
CC
Aussie finch tragic.rodent/snake terroriser.
User avatar
roma9009
...............................
...............................
Posts: 408
Joined: 08 Apr 2011, 00:33
Location: Victoria

Be careful, if its short hair should be ok i used hair from my dog I had at the time with my zebras and it was long hair and rapped around there legs spent the next couple of hours catchin them and cutting it off the hair was like nylon.
Slick
...............................
...............................
Posts: 105
Joined: 28 Feb 2010, 19:09
Location: Vic Melbourne
Location: Melbourne, Victoria

Make sure no fleas.. Or lice.. Use wool.. It's best for my tri colour & parrot finches.. They love it & works a gem in winter
Post Reply

Return to “Breeding Finches”