topic Re: Feeding the birds in Community Chat

Feeding the birds

goldensrbest — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 14:27:52 GMT

I have again been feeding them this winter,but wondering with the bird flu,spreading if i should stop?

Re: Feeding the birds

savetheanimals — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 14:37:58 GMT

The bird flu is scary, but the birds are relying on your food for the winter. If you take that away right now they will struggle. As it gets nicer out and they have other options, like spring that would be the best time to stop. Just how I feel, winter is the worst time to just stop feeding them.

Re: Feeding the birds

AuntMame — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 15:11:33 GMT

According to the Wild Birds Unlimited web site the USDA doesn't recommend removing bird feeders at this time unless you also take care of poultry.

Song birds are not susceptible to avian flu.

Wild aquatic birds like ducks, geese and shorebirds are however.

Cleaning feeders regularly (weekly) with a solution of part bleach, detergent and water is an important way to help stop the spread of all bird contagious diseases.

Re: Feeding the birds

occasionalrain — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 16:29:54 GMT

I feed birds year round.

Do not stop feeding in the spring, the birds need dependable food to produce eggs and feed their babies.

Re: Feeding the birds

PamfromCT — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 16:32:25 GMT

We also love feeding the birds throughout the winter, and have many feeders for them. I think these birds are healthy, as we have never heard of the bird flu affecting them, or seen any signs of the little ones dying.

We attract so many to our feeders on our deck, it is like a mini bird U.N. And they are get along so well. So many varieties to admire. We love watching the little ones feast on different feeders, as does Winston, our indoor kitty.

Re: Feeding the birds

PamfromCT — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 16:36:04 GMT

@occasionalrain

You are so lucky to be able to feed the birds in the spring, Where we live, we cannot, We here in CT have bears, and if we keep our feeders out too long when the weather warms, we get unwelcome visitors. our town also has an ordinance requiring no feeders after a certain date. Mother Nature is quite interesting!

Re: Feeding the birds

luvzchiz — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 16:48:08 GMT

We feed all year long and provide clean water.

Re: Feeding the birds

occasionalrain — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 16:49:11 GMT

@PamfromCT

I live in the NE, we have bears too. I just take my four bird feeders inside at sunset and back out after dawn.

Re: Feeding the birds

bargainsgirl — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 17:20:37 GMT

I am totally against feeding birds. It is totally unnecessary. All wild animals can and should fend for themselves and if not, then that is mother nature's way of taking care of them. We have people feeding deer, squirrels, etc. and it is crazy. It also definitly attracts rats which is one reason they are growing in numbers in the suburbs. This according to our local health department. BIrd feeding has become a hobby but not a good one. Of course think of the $$ seed sellers make along with all those cute houses. I know many will disagree with me but think about it....

Re: Feeding the birds

bargainsgirl — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 17:21:26 GMT

@occasionalrain wrote:
I feed birds year round.
Do not stop feeding in the spring, the birds need dependable food to produce eggs and feed their babies.

I disagree. Birds can fend for themselves. Who fed them before this feeding boom came into play?

Re: Feeding the birds

simplyfriends — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 17:26:22 GMT

@occasionalrain Me too... I feed the birds (hummingbirds especially) all year round ❤️

Re: Feeding the birds

candys mine — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 18:48:45 GMT

@bargainsgirl My thought on the matter of what did they do Before.

PEOPLE weren't there before. PEOPLE CLAIMED THE FOREST.

LOSS of habitat = LOSS of feeding grounds= LOSS of breeding health =Loss of species.

IT'S NOT about what they did before, It's about what they HAVE to do NOW.

Re: Feeding the birds

luvzchiz — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 19:33:27 GMT

@candys mine wrote:
@bargainsgirl My thought on the matter of what did they do Before.

PEOPLE weren't there before. PEOPLE CLAIMED THE FOREST.

LOSS of habitat = LOSS of feeding grounds= LOSS of breeding health =Loss of species.
IT'S NOT about what they did before, It's about what they HAVE to do NOW.

@candys mine Exactly! Well said.

Re: Feeding the birds

Tinkrbl44 — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 20:30:39 GMT

@candys mine wrote:
@bargainsgirl My thought on the matter of what did they do Before.

PEOPLE weren't there before. PEOPLE CLAIMED THE FOREST.

LOSS of habitat = LOSS of feeding grounds= LOSS of breeding health =Loss of species.
IT'S NOT about what they did before, It's about what they HAVE to do NOW.

@candys mine

Thank you for the common sense explanation.

I'm surprised people can't figure this out.

Re: Feeding the birds

gidgetgh — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 21:12:03 GMT

@bargainsgirl wrote:
I am totally against feeding birds. It is totally unnecessary. All wild animals can and should fend for themselves and if not, then that is mother nature's way of taking care of them. We have people feeding deer, squirrels, etc. and it is crazy. It also definitly attracts rats which is one reason they are growing in numbers in the suburbs. This according to our local health department. BIrd feeding has become a hobby but not a good one. Of course think of the $$ seed sellers make along with all those cute houses. I know many will disagree with me but think about it....

@bargainsgirl - we fed the birds for years at our old house. And then, the feeders attracted rats, a few of which got in our attic. Exterminator came, saw the feeders and said "get rid of those". And we did that day. Never again.

Re: Feeding the birds

occasionalrain — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 21:34:04 GMT

Home owner's garbage, fast food dumpsters, dead animals...attract rats. Bird feeders are the least likely since bird seed isn't tasty to rats, it's a last resort.

I've had bird feeders all my life, I now have a wooded area behind my house and I've never had rats in my house or any house in which I've ever lived.

Many birds are on the endangered list, some species have disappeared entirely.

Re: Feeding the birds

gidgetgh — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 21:50:47 GMT

Google disagrees.

Re: Feeding the birds

DSD2 — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 22:30:14 GMT

This winter has been especially harsh and more hungry birds than ever are flocking to the feed.

We feed all year round; every life is precious.

Re: Feeding the birds

threecees — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 22:52:20 GMT

I feed all year round but more seed is put in the feeder during these harsh

winter months.

I can look right out at them, feeder is only a few feet away from my living

room window to the tree where I hang the feeder. I get many different

types of birds, all beautiful. Enjoy their visits.

Re: Feeding the birds

Venezia — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 23:04:01 GMT

I live in the country. I feed the birds year round. And the grey and red squirrels as well. (I don't put the birdseed out for them, but they haven't realized that yet!)

I have no intention of stopping. I've seen some amazing, beautiful birds over the years.

The hummingbirds come back every year, expecting the feeder to be out there. And it is. Every so often, they get impatient waiting while I clean and refill it. They hover over me as if to say "What took you so long?"

People love to forget the birds and other animals were here first. We took over their habitat to build houses, stores, gas stations, malls, recreational buildings and areas. Without a thought for the wildlife or how they'd survive. So no one is going to tell me not to feed the birds (or squirrels and deer that show up).