Slings

[JenJen]

I hope to get a little more input from the DIY section on this particular query - bird slings/hammocks. Ideally, I'd like to use yarn. I've been looking at Peaches and Creme yarn (Echre) as it claims to be 100% cotton, though I imagine it will have been treated in some fashion or another. What should I look for/avoid in choosing yarn for this particular project?

An alternative is fleece, but I imagine most all of what I would find will have been treated as well (dyed, etc). There's also the fear that my boy will chew through it and get caught (similar to what's reported to happen with Happy Huts).

The whole point behind this is to hopefully create a secondary sleep perch for my quaker should he decide to use it. He's taken a couple of tumbles from his current sleep perch and I'd like to see if I can provide something a little more accommodating.

JJ

 

[ShellyBorg]

Fleece would be way safer then a yarn one. Make it double thick and tie the edges for added preening toy.

 

[Kimmied]

DONT use yarn. I have read all kinds of nightmares where birds get caught up in the yarn. Neck,feet,wings. Many die by hanging or chewing body parts off. So I threw away the idea of knitting something for my little darling and used fleece. It is the one fabric that they can not fray or get caught up in. I wish I could show you a picture of what I did. It was supper simple and she loves to snuggle it at night.
I got plastic chain at the hardware store( they have all sizes ). Picked my fleece and started tying it to the chain. Maybe 4-5 strips to 1 chain loop depending how thick you cut your fleece. I cut my fleece in 1/4 inch strips. Mina's favorite color is pink so I got pink fleece and the chain for her is pretty thick. I fill in in pretty heavy so it's nice and snuggly. The chain is about 8-9 inches long. You will have to decide what length might work best for you. They are really snuggly I hang I by her sleeping perch and I find her right next to it in the morning. Again I wish I could send you a pic but I'm on an iPad.

 

[SilverSage]

I agree. I love making things out of yarn, LOVE it, but it is a very dangerous plan with birds - do not risk it.

 

[JenJen]

Thank you for the quick replies. I followed your suggestions and picked up some anti pill fleece "remnants" from my local craft store. Will attempt to sew together a little hammock for Zu sometime soon. The big question now being: Do I wash it before I put it in the cage with him?

I do hope to minimize strangulation risks by making it resemble an open hammock versus the tent-like Happy Huts. Will he use it? Probably not, but he may just surprise me!

JJ

 

[JenJen]

I wanted to post something I came up with while trying to figure out the fleece fiasco. I really do like the design I came up with, and Zulu gave it a trial run (all of five minutes before I pulled it from the cage) and really seemed to like it. I think (hope!) that with a little fine tuning, this might be exactly what I was looking to create!

It's done in double crochet with an an "I" size hook with 100% Jute rope (purchased from JoAnne fabrics - there is a very earthy smell to it).

Anyone who crochets will likely know there are always going to be "gaps" in your work. Knitting is the only real sure fire way I know of to avoid them, but with the bulk of the jute rope and its coarseness, I don't think it will be a problem with Zulu getting his feet/a foot caught (the gap only appears when I push my finger through it).

And the finished product:

So, do you all think it's safe? Zulu did hop onto the "net" and proceeded to try and pick at it. The jute rope isn't all that smooth, so there are nits and pieces he can likely pull free. I don't intend to leave it in the cage until I have a finalized version... whether it's fleece or jute has yet to be determined.

JJ