Community Chat

[Kachina624]

@NickNack.  If these seeds are all or partially imbedded in the  soil, they may be impossible to remove without scratching up the dirt.  Just hope Ava doesn't notice those.

[SeaMaiden]

Rake up and dispose of all you can....then cover with bark several inches deep. 

[NickNack]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@NickNack.  If these seeds are all or partially imbedded in the  soil, they may be impossible to remove without scratching up the dirt.  Just hope Ava doesn't notice those.

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@Kachina624   Yes, I was thinking about that last night.  Maybe the best thing would be to vacuum it up and cover the others with mulch.

[goldensrbest]

Perhaps move the feeders to a area she does not get to, or can you get a small type of fence to put around area.

[NickNack]

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@goldensrbest wrote:

Perhaps move the feeders to a area she does not get to, or can you get a small type of fence to put around area.

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@goldensrbest   The feeders where she is getting into the seed are in my back yard.  I have other feeders in my front yard.  It's a large area where the seed is spread.  If I put a small fence around the area it would be hard for my yard guy to get to it.

I was thinking about leaving the cylinder feeder because I don't think those seeds sprinkle into the yard as much and maybe putting some suet in the back yard for them.  I'm not sure.

[mimomof4]

First of all I would recommend changing your bird seed.  If you are getting that much on the ground, it may be full of filler the birds don't like.  We use premium mixes and end up with very little on the ground.  

Keep the bird feeders outside of his reach.  We keep our dog on a lead when he is outside by himself.  Otherwise yes he will go towards the feeders.  Additional bonus is greatly reduces the clean up area.

[NickNack]

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@mimomof4 wrote:

First of all I would recommend changing your bird seed.  If you are getting that much on the ground, it may be full of filler the birds don't like.  We use premium mixes and end up with very little on the ground.  

Keep the bird feeders outside of his reach.  We keep our dog on a lead when he is outside by himself.  Otherwise yes he will go towards the feeders.  Additional bonus is greatly reduces the clean up area.

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@mimomof4   I buy all of my bird seed from Wild Birds Unlimited.  It is very high quality.  I use safflower seed in the back yard and black oil sunflower seed in the front yard.  I also use cylinder seed from Wild Birds Unlimited, too.

It's possible that a lot of what I see is shells, but my dog is eating them.  I think it's good for Ava to be able to run around in my fenced back yard.  I would hate to keep her on a leash the entire time.

[candys mine]

It's a dilema.  Poor Lady Ava.  Yucky doggie habit, Lady Ava.    The question is WHY is she eating the spent bird seed?  I don't think it's the seed itself unless it's shelled sunflower seeds.  Bird poop seems more likely to be attractive to a dog.  I agree, bird Poop can carry intestinal freeloaders.  Better to let the birdies have at it at the Front Door Buffet. 

I have no ideas for cleaning up the ground seed.  I'd remove the feeder then cover the whole area with soil.  You'll get some interesting plants sprouting from the germinating bird seed. But it seems easier to Mow it than vacuum it.

Hope Ava's tummy troubles settle down.

 Hello to Sir Henry too!

[geezerette]

@NickNack 

As much as I also enjoy watching all the birds, if I were in your position, I'd get rid of the backyard feeders altogether.  The birds will easily be able to find your front feeder, although you may have to fill it more often.  

The reason being that Ava is liable to hunt for any stray or old seeds scattered or even hidden in your grass.  Along with getting just seeds, she probably is also ingesting the bird poop, dirt, and who knows what else.  She doesn't need any of that with her delicate tummy.

I say this because my dog also eats bird seed.  By the mouthful.  And the hulls of the sunflower seeds.  But she's a very big dog with a cast iron digestive system, unlike Ava.  And she still vomits seeds and hulls often.

But she won't quit rooting around for them.  I only feed seeds in the cold weather, and from the day I start putting it out she's got her nose on the ground until I stop in the spring.  

Until we got this huge snowfall, I also was considering no longer feeding the birds next year.  Now I'm not sure.  

Anyway, just my thoughts.  Good luck.

[NickNack]

@geezerette   Yes, I think you're right.  Ava does have a very delicate sensitive stomach.