topic Re: Having Bird Feeders in Community Chat

Having Bird Feeders

CherryHugs — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 12:51:33 GMT

Does anyone have a bird feeder while living in an apartment?

I would like to put one in the

tree out in the front but wouldnt there be a ton of

bird poop all over the nearby

porch, etc?

We always fed the birds when I was growing up in a house and

the bird feed or the bird poop- caused the grass under it to die out.

Re: Bird Feeder - Apartments

catter70 — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 12:48:22 GMT

I don't feed the birds so no comment on that, but you might want to check with whoever manages the apartment to see if it's allowed.

Re: Bird Feeder - Apartments

CherryHugs — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 12:51:57 GMT

@catter70 Hi, Yes it is allowed and some do have them here.

Re: Having Bird Feeders

Harpa — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 12:59:41 GMT

It's the shells from sunflower seeds that spoils the grass. I should think the poo would act as fertilizer, as other poos do.

Our neighbor feeds birds, but he has also attracted a flock of pigeons! You know pigeons! Recently, they brought their pals from a neighboring town along with them.

When I lived in the country my DH made me a huge double decker feeder! That's what I miss!

Re: Having Bird Feeders

geezerette — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 13:11:14 GMT

If you attract birds, you'll get their droppings too. It all depends on how many birds show up. More birds, more poop.

Along with their droppings, you get the birds themselves. If a lot of them are attracted to your feeder, that can get to be a problem in itself.

My mother lived in a zero lot-line community and she ended up taking down her bird feeder because her neighbor complained about the droppings and too many birds congregating. Not everyone likes birds around their home.

If you do decide to feed, I would also suggest the hull-less seeds. Anything with a hull, like sunflowers, make as much or more of a mess than the poop.

Re: Having Bird Feeders

KingstonsMom — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 13:11:27 GMT

If I was the owner/resident of the "nearby porch", I would not be very happy about all of the bird poop that I had to clean up, it could be a health hazard (bird flu, etc.).

Maybe you should ask them if it would bother them?

Re: Having Bird Feeders

Miss Pepsi — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 13:12:05 GMT

i was all ready to get a bird feeder to put in a little memory garden but my good friend has a bird feeder and now she has rats sooooooooo I am thinking just a bird bath instead.

Re: Having Bird Feeders

proudlyfromNJ — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 13:12:11 GMT

Like someone else said, check with management. My friends put one out and the complaints began and they were told to get rid of it.

Re: Having Bird Feeders

CherryHugs — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 13:13:49 GMT

@proudlyfromNJ We are allowed here but I have not ever had one. Not sure that I will!

Re: Having Bird Feeders

CherryHugs — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 13:14:30 GMT

@Miss Pepsi OH no, Rats??? Yikes! That would be a nasty problem, you are right to just have the bird bath!

Re: Having Bird Feeders

CherryHugs — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 13:15:20 GMT

@KingstonsMom The porch is mine But I am sure I would not like bird droppings and maybe a ton of birds gathering!

Re: Having Bird Feeders

CherryHugs — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 13:16:17 GMT

@Harpa That was mostly what we feed them, sunflower seeds and sometimes a mix! Hmm dont want a bunch of pigeons lol!

Re: Having Bird Feeders

CherryHugs — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 13:17:14 GMT

@geezerette So true, more birds more poo, and that can be disgusting! I am rethinking all of this!!

Re: Having Bird Feeders

KingstonsMom — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 13:22:56 GMT

@CherryHugs

I gotcha'......we have to periodically take ours down once the crows discover them.

They're so noisy with their loud squawking and they bully all of the other birds away.

Their poop is similar to seagulls!

Re: Having Bird Feeders

ValuSkr — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 13:24:10 GMT

The feeder could attract rodents and small animals like mice, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, etc. My condo association discourages bird feeders, but asks that residents hang them - if they must - some distance away from the building. The reason is that you don't want mice etc near the building where they might infiltrate the building itself. I know - my neighbor had a feeder under his deck and mice were in my basement a few years ago..

Re: Having Bird Feeders

ThinkingOutLoud — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 13:39:12 GMT

@CherryHugs wrote:
Does anyone have a bird feeder while living in an apartment?

I would like to put one in the
tree out in the front but wouldnt there be a ton of
bird poop all over the nearby
porch, etc?

We always fed the birds when I was growing up in a house and
the bird feed or the bird poop- caused the grass under it to die out.

Maybe the kind that adhere to the window with suction cups or one for the hummingbirds would do the trick?

Re: Having Bird Feeders

geezerette — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 13:41:03 GMT

@ThinkingOutLoud wrote:
@CherryHugs wrote:
Does anyone have a bird feeder while living in an apartment?

I would like to put one in the
tree out in the front but wouldnt there be a ton of
bird poop all over the nearby
porch, etc?

We always fed the birds when I was growing up in a house and
the bird feed or the bird poop- caused the grass under it to die out.

Maybe the kind that adhere to the window with suction cups or one for the hummingbirds would do the trick?

@CherryHugs

What about hummingbird feeders instead of seed feeders?

Re: Having Bird Feeders

MalteseMomma — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 13:53:29 GMT

I have been feeding birds for over 40 yrs and YES there will be a ton (or more..lol ) of bird poop everywhere!

Bird feeding is an all day job if you are really into it.

This is my last yr for feeding. At 83,I'm too old to keep up with it all.

Feeders attract birds, pigeons,mice,rats squrriels and anything else you can think of depending on where you live.Bears,Deer,ect...........also CATS!

Re: Having Bird Feeders

riley1 — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 13:53:39 GMT

I've had bird feeders out for years and never had rats or mice.

They do sell a special seed specially made for patio type feeders. Maybe its shell-less? That would help a little but you would still have the bird poop.

And, is it easily accessible to take down to clean and refill. Feeders should also be filled regularly for those cold, winter days - if you are in that climate.

Re: Having Bird Feeders

HLP — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 13:56:02 GMT

@CherryHugs wrote:
Does anyone have a bird feeder while living in an apartment?

I would like to put one in the
tree out in the front but wouldnt there be a ton of
bird poop all over the nearby
porch, etc?

We always fed the birds when I was growing up in a house and
the bird feed or the bird poop- caused the grass under it to die out.

I've had bird feeders out for 60 years. Never had rats or anything. I have 4 feeders, 2 are squirrel perches that we put dry ears of corn on. No rats there either. I throw peanuts in shell on my front porch for birds, my porch has carpet on it, have never seen bird poop there either. Get yourself a feeder and enjoy life.