Fabric scraps for birds
#1
Fabric scraps for birds
First, I'll say I'm retired and have way too much time on my hands! Yesterday, the birds were trying to gather nest making materials from some twine I used to tie up some plants, so, I went into my sewing room trash basket and and dug out some fabric scraps, selvages and what not, and tossed them onto the lawn. They were all gone this morning! How's that for recycling!
#5
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Actually, fabric scraps are not good for birds. Fabric holds on to water too long, keeping the nest damp and causing the baby birds to get sick. It is much better for birds to build nests out of natural materials, such as grasses and sticks, because these shed water rapidly. I believe batting scraps are bad for birds for the same reason. Thread is not good because it can become twisted around legs and cut off circulation. I also suspect the chemicals in unwashed fabric and unwashed batting is probably not good for them.
#7
Do a google search. Like everything else in our world today, there's no consensus on leaving fabric or not laving fabric out for birds to use for nest. I've seen nests with plastic and all manner of things.
#8
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
The way I learned this was on the QB when an ornithologist who quilts pleaded with us not to put fabric scraps out for birds. As for plastic, at least it sheds water and does not keep the nest damp.
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,847
Actually, fabric scraps are not good for birds. Fabric holds on to water too long, keeping the nest damp and causing the baby birds to get sick. It is much better for birds to build nests out of natural materials, such as grasses and sticks, because these shed water rapidly. I believe batting scraps are bad for birds for the same reason. Thread is not good because it can become twisted around legs and cut off circulation. I also suspect the chemicals in unwashed fabric and unwashed batting is probably not good for them.
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