Bet you could use dryer lint too, huh????

And hair from hair cuts. (I cut my dh's hair).

Dryer lint contains synthetic fibers and some say they aren't safe for birds. Others say the dryer lint doesn't dry quickly enough for nests. Some say it doesn't matter. It's been my experience that if they see something they don't want or something that isn't exactly right for their nests, they don't usually take it.

I do know they love yarn, string and their favorite is hair, real hair.

Good tip!!

What do you all pack the dog hair into? It kind of looks like a suet feeder to me. I have a golden retriever who sheds LOTS of hair, and I'd be happy to share it with my feathered friends if I knew the proper way to do so.

Linda, if you have enough, you can collect it in those mesh grocery bags that oranges come in, (other things besides oranges), and hang it from a tree limb. Anything will work if the birds can easily get to it. I like what Lee Anne has done with hers.

The squirrels will use things like that too. Also tear apart cushions and use the polyfill!!
I read that the milkweed fibers are used by the hummingbirds but not many nest around our area.

Sharon you are right about the dryer lint. They dont touch anything that isnt right.
One of the most amusing moments I can remember was watching a chickadee tussle with some cat hair that was part of a hairball stuck to the deck. What a circus. I take my birdhouses alart after the season and find moss and all sorts of vedgetation I know doeant grow here. They are tireless forragers.

I even just brush the dogs on the lawn and let the hair fly loose...the birds don't seem to care if it's tidy :))

Great tip Lee Anne! I love helping our feathered friends, and the furry ones too! When I clean the cat's brush as well as my own hair brushes, I put the hair out for the birds. I've used wire suet cages too but nowadays I just place the fur on the chain link fence in different spots and onto tree branches. The birds will find it! I have a neighbor from upstate N.Y. who used to help band birds for the Cornell University Ornithology Lab and she told me that using dryer lint is not good because of the perfumes and dyes they contain. But as Sharon stated, birds are pretty smart little creatures and mama birds know what is good and not so good as nesting material for their babies. Pet hair and human hair is a favorite of my backyard birds but I've seen other things they've used in their nests as well. Last spring when I cleaned out a birdhouse after the babies fledged I found a nest with leaves, twigs, bits of plastic and snake skin all woven into a perfect nest!

Yeah, I've seen threads from the poly tarps in nests - I don't think it's as much of an issue as it would be if they were eating them? And the stuff you're getting in the dryer has just been washed, so then only problem would be dryer sheets, I'd guess. Maybe just the lint from drying rags.

And all of that stuff goes into my compost bin, too, so I guess I can do a "one for you, one for me".....

Awwwwww, Yes, In the spring I have plenty of donkey and mule curried hair. They should have heavenly soft nest here from Charley and the Donkey kids. Not to mention Dog hair from missy too..

Dangit, I just threw my ponytail into the trash!!!

Well, you better start scratchin it out.....

Nice tip and like the idea of the containers too. If I let the doghair fly, it seems to attach onto the plants and looks messy...hey I have enough of a mess without adding to it.

FYI...if you use Advantage on your dog it's OK, but let the hair sit for 2-3 weeks if you have recently used it. I know this to be true as I called the 800#....didn't want to hurt the birds

Ooo - good advice.

I AGREE! Sure is thoughtful advice Gin.

We are not in danger because I do Inky's major cuts when he is ready for a full groom and advantage AFTER that. I do agree with Sheryl though. In the warm months I cut Inky on the lawn, fur goes right into the compost. It's black so it doesn't make it look untidy when spread. Excess stays in the grass so the birds can use it at will. My neighbors take some fur to put on their gardens too. It also helps repell bunnies and deer I think.

Also if you use people hair make sure it is not too long as it could wrap around baby birdie feet and cause a problem

Bits of yarn are also good.