Fun little project providing nesting materials for birds.

[Annetel]

This isn't about nesting materials for birds, but squirrels. If there is anything laying around like string, twine or fishing line and they use it to build a nest, it can tangle the babies' tails together. They will fall out of the nest.
This happened a couple of years ago near here and a local rehabber could not get the tails untangled and the babies had to be euthanized.

[Equilibrium]

That's a big bummer about the babies. Fishing line is pretty bad for lots of animals. I pick that up when I see it even if it's in water stuck to vegetation. I don't find strings... maybe too small for me to see? Twine sometimes. I know squirrels are collectors... the satellite guy said he saw part of a towel in a leaf nest when he was on our roof. That had to have come from our garage. When towels rip and can't be used anymore I cut them down for rags and one of our squirrels must have snitched one. Those babies were fine. I know some rehabbers and I cross paths with others now and then. I've not heard a peep about euthanizing squirrels for getting tangled. Maybe it's only isolated incidents by us so it's not a hot topic?

[linrose]

I haven't used that moss planter as a planter since the wrens took up residence. That's OK by me. And about feather pillows, I don't know how anyone can sleep on them. They smell awful and the feathers do pop out and stick you in the neck. I'm sure 100% down would be better but I can't afford those. Better to leave the feathers for the birds!

[biigblueyes]

Originally Posted by Equilibrium

I hung onto them all these years... Feathers for all our feathered friends ... maybe my husband will stop laughing at me when reminding me about my "deal".

It sounds like a you were a verrrry frugal shopper - snagging a bargain back then for your feathered friends now. . . .

[Equilibrium]

The feather pillows I bought stunk... powerful blast of something when I took them out of their plastic bags. If they were selling those in a store they'd have to seal them in plastic or nobody in their right mind would buy them at any price. Down is expensive but it's real nice. That's why I bought two... or at least I thought I was buying down pillows. You'd like sleeping on one. Mine's about 60 years old. Every year I take it in and have it cleaned and put in a fresh casing. Down for me... chicken for my feathered friends. I think that's what's in those bargain pillows. Remind me never to watch a shopping channel with a head cold and credit card in hand...

[Dirty Knees]

I don't know whether to feel sorry for you or to laugh at you with your husband. I think I will laugh at you. Would a nice big bag of organic cotton batting for your birds make you feel better?

[Equilibrium]

You twisted my arm. Want half of my chicken feathers?

[Calliandra]

Oh, jeezelouise. I forgot to buy the cotton balls again. Has anyone tried these?

[Equilibrium]

I loaded up our birdie bell cage thingie. I don't know if it works yet or not... I have to remember to hang it outside. Mine's loaded with feathers. That's what I had the most of.

[Sage]

I think cotton holds moisture.