topic Re: Feed the birds in Community Chat

Feed the birds

goldensrbest — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 19:31:59 GMT

Put out food for them ,it is so cold.

Re: Feed the birds

MalteseMomma — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 19:36:24 GMT

Thanks for this post........

Birds can only keep warm from the food they eat...........maybe provide a little water too ,because they need clean feathers to keep warm.................

I have been feeding birds for over 30 yrs...............and i still don't know how they ever survive in winter......especially in this exceptionly cold period........God must love them very much................

They must be Gods little Angels <3

Re: Feed the birds

Shaunac — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 19:38:24 GMT

I used to, but rats also like the food and so I'm out.

Re: Feed the birds

fthunt — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 19:48:08 GMT

Bird kitchen is open 24/7 - 365

Two feeders with Drs Smith & Foster nut & berry

Suet hanging

2 lb Birdola seed cake hanging

.........still working on an electric blanket for them!

Re: Feed the birds

Gorgf — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 19:49:50 GMT

It is so cold only a couple of Chickees and one Bluejay today. The rabbits and squirrels are not around .It is bad and no school tomorrow as well. I live in N. Wisc. It is supposed to be in the low 30s Sat.

I have several feeders and also throw seed on the deck and ground. No Finches today either.

Re: Feed the birds

gidgetgh — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 19:52:18 GMT

@Shaunac wrote:
I used to, but rats also like the food and so I'm out.

@Shaunac- we fed the birds for years, over 14 years in this house in addition to years at the house we lived in prior to this one.

But this past spring and early this summer we trapped two unwanted creatures in our attic, which the exterminator removed after they found the trap and died and we’re out also.

Re: Feed the birds

Nightowlz — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 19:51:37 GMT

We used to have bird feeders, squirrel corn feeders, birdbaths for water. We stopped because of all the poo all over the fence/yard plus the mice show up especially since we live in between 2 people that think their backyard is a garbage can.

Re: Feed the birds

Shaunac — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 19:54:58 GMT

Don't get me wrong. Love the birds, but I only feed the hummers. I've had four feeders for 9 years now.

The others that require see can go find it elsewhere.

Re: Feed the birds

goldensrbest — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 19:56:08 GMT

At least do it through this cold weather.

Re: Feed the birds

QueenDanceALot — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 19:56:27 GMT

I do, in all weather conditions.

Re: Feed the birds

proudlyfromNJ — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 19:58:38 GMT

Yes I feed the birds. Just had a huge flock of blackbirds or starlings or something just invade and emptied the feeder. Hope they move on as I want to put more seed out.

Re: Feed the birds

chickenbutt — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 20:00:07 GMT

I feel them every day unless the area I have set up is covered in a large amount of snow and the deck is so icy I'm afraid of falling. On those days, I have to say, I feel awful when I see their little faces and hungry tummies.

We used to have a lot more winter and the birds, ducks, and geese, left in winter but they don't anymore.

I'm always fascinated when the temp is in the 30s and the little bitty birdies are out there taking baths in one of the water dishes. Recently, it was still ice water and they were bathing in it. It's the biggest fun to watch them. Birdies are just so cute I can hardly stand it. I love them very much.

They know me and sometimes, when I am out there setting up their breakfast, the little bitty ones come flying in right over my head, in front of my face, and right behind me. Priceless!

Re: Feed the birds

lovesrecess — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 04:41:27 GMT

I am on my third “squirrelproof” bird feeder....they don’t exist! Started throwing out peanuts for the squirrels since I read squirrels love peanuts...mine don’t...they sniff at them and head straight for the bird feeder....but some jays and small birds seem to like the peanuts...I always feed the birds....but no suet, just seeds. You must provide water if you feed birds....they need it to soften any hard mast in the feed. I have a pair of cardinals that showed up a few days ago....so nice to brighten up a cold, dreary day seeing those wonderful red feathers.

Re: Feed the birds

lovesrecess — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 20:03:26 GMT

If you can check with the bird experts Ibam sure they can recommend something the rats won’t want....also make sure it is off the ground.

Re: Feed the birds

RedTop — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 20:04:50 GMT

Feeding birds intensified our rat problem by drawing them right into the backyard. It was one thing when the rats were in our woodpiles and outbuildings, but quite another when along with bird activity we had 2-6 rats on the ground at the feeder as well. With help from an exterminator, we have been baiting rats near the house for nearly 4 years.

Re: Feed the birds

lovesrecess — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 20:06:24 GMT

Some birds are called “flat-footed feeders” because they eat only from the ground. Always good idea to have some seed on the ground for them...or at my house, the squirrels throw seed everywhere when they raid the feeders...the doves just sit there under the feeder and get all they want.

Re: Feed the birds

Krimpette — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 20:11:31 GMT

I have 2 nyjer feeders out, 1 safflower and 2 sunflower chips, and one suet cake. Plus, i throw out a handful of millett occasionally. I also have a makeshift bird bath. It's a "balmy" 23 here (and dropping) right now, but the sun has been on that side of out house a good bit of the day, so the ice melted in the bird bath. At one point, there were 6 birds splashing around in the bird bath. Another 3 or 4 were "waiting in the wings". I do what I can to keep them fed all year round, but especially in bitter or snowy weather. Love my birds!

Re: Feed the birds

1Snickers — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 20:12:02 GMT

I wonder I’d hot pepper mixed with seeds will help with the rat problem?The local bird store sells it for squirrels.

When I was little we had a Cocker Spaniel. There was an alley near the house and naturally rats.(I had a pet white one).

I remember waking up hearing a commotion outside and my Mother said it was just the Cocker chasing a Rat!

Maybe Cockers, or cats are the answer!

Re: Feed the birds

Laura14 — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 20:13:44 GMT

I had to stop too because of squirrel issues inside and out and I hate that.

Re: Feed the birds

jannabelle1 — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 20:21:32 GMT

Absolutely! I keep my feeders filled everyday, plus a suet feeder in the winter months. I just put some peanuts in the shell out for the blue jays and squirrels. I love watching them all. And having had bird feeders for as long as I can remember, I have never seen rats....and have never heard of that.