Community Chat

[goldensrbest]

Also ,i heard the bird flu has been found in dairy cows,many farms in my area.

[occasionalrain]

@goldensrbest 

Opossums eat ticks so having them around is a benefit.

[Jacie]

I am lucky to live where I have hummingbirds year round, so those feeders stay up! We love them. I stop feeding seeds when the weather warms as to not attract rodents, which in turn, attract snakes. I don't want that hassle!

[Icegoddess]

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@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

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@Icegoddess wrote:

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@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.

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Add to that the fact that most homeowners also don't plant native plants in their gardens and landscapes. 

I'm having the same problem with other wildlife moving in that I'm not even feeding.  Their territory is being razed to build giant apartment complexes and they have nowhere to go except in people's yards eating their plants.  Coyotes go after the cats and dogs, and then the neighbors warn about foxes.  Foxes mostly prey on rodents, so leave them alone.  Also too many people think the only good snake is a dead snake.  Garter snakes are hamless, and King snakes and Rat snakes eat those rodents everyone's concerned about. 

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@Icegoddess  @goldensrbest 

Coyotes !!!!!!!

I post this every Spring in various places, so no one's fur baby is lost to them .....

 Jan, Feb & March are COYOTE MATING SEASON. Not only are they more aggressive, they are exhibiting "courtship" behavior and instinctively consuming more calories. So keep your pets very close by and clear out any brush around your residence. Mice and squirrels hide in brush and coyotes will rather aggressively check these areas out. 

Be more thoughtful for your personal safety, too. Be VERY careful right now.

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And remember if you use an underground fence, your dog may not leave the property, but that doesn't stop a coyote from coming in and taking it.  They can also easily  jump 6 ft. fences. 

[PJinIA]

I've fed the birds for years and won't stop.  Equally important is providing water for them not only to drink but to bath in.  I have a fountain in the summer and heated water baths in the winter.  The sound of running water draws them like a magnet and even when it's freezing out there will be multiple birds bathing and splashing in the bird bath.  Evidently it's important to keep their feathers in tip-top shape.

Why birds need water in the winter

• Drinking: Birds need water to maintain a healthy metabolism and stay warm. 
• Bathing: Bathing helps keep feathers clean and waterproof, which helps insulate birds. 
• Cooling off: Birds need water to cool off. 

[Rockycoast]

I feed our birds year round.  They need it to suppliment the nature food that is available.  That goes for the suet feeder also. Year round. I wear gloves when cleaning the feeders and refilling them.  just in case.  But will not stop feeding  them espicially in Winter.

[bargainsgirl]

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@gidgetgh wrote:

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@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....

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@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.  

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Yes. Our neighbors had the same problem.  Backyard chicken coups also attract rats.

[occasionalrain]

Suet is important too. I have two that get lots of visitors.

As an added value, I don't have mosquito in the summer, the birds take care of them. I like to think of it as a thank you from my feathered friends.

[Sapphiregal]

I feed the birds year round and love watching all the cardinals, bluebirds, finches sparrows, and woodpeckers.
I have a little squirrel that comes up on my back porch waiting at the door for me to throw out some nuts. He has become so tame, he doesn't even run away, but, sits up on his little hind legs and watches me.

[ritasNo1Fan]

Don't stop!  I just got back from throwing (uncooked of course)  rolled oats here and there for the darling pigeons that live around me.   They do get excited that there is food and surisingly, are very unafraid.  They finish all the dry oatmeal in minutes.  Nothing left for rats.  Ever.