Garden

[HLP]

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@On It wrote:

Equally important is this year we were asked to not feed birds because of the bird flu. The birds are safer remaining in the wild and feeding in nature than congregating in large numbers around a single food source where they are more likely to be exposed and spread the disease.

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That was last year. Our wildlife in WV said we can feed again,

[HLP]

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@wagirl wrote:

Hummers don't need red food coloring at all!! and if your feeders are red why would you add unneeded chemicals ??? I have yellow and pink and purple flowers that they are attracted too---nothing red at all. Old wives tale alert!!!

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My feeder is red, but the siugar water isn't. and it hangs by a red rhododrendon bush. 

[CatsyCline]

i cannot believe the hardware stores sell the ready-made red dye nectar!!!  hummingbirds have teeny tiny kidneys and livers they cannot safely process anything but clear, clean water and plain white cane sugar. (other than flower nectar and spiders and insects)

feeders must be kept super clean and nectar needs to be clear, not cloudy - freshly maintained.  most hummers will refuse spoiled nectar.

so many feeders around here use the red nectar in their yards!  sometimes  feel like handing out hummingbird feeding instruction flyers.

[ValuSkr]

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@HLP wrote:

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@On It wrote:

Equally important is this year we were asked to not feed birds because of the bird flu. The birds are safer remaining in the wild and feeding in nature than congregating in large numbers around a single food source where they are more likely to be exposed and spread the disease.

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That was last year. Our wildlife in WV said we can feed again,

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It can be confusing.  In 2021, there was a mystery illness n the Mid-Atlantic states that caused officials to recommend taking down feeders lest the disease be spread.  This was in VA, MD, DE, NJ, PA, WV, KY, OH, IN, and DC.  By Sept, officials in those states had lifted their advisories.  They never determined what caused the illness but signs pointed to cicadas.  This year, 2022, there is an avian flu outbreak, but there is no recommendation to take down bird feeders unless you also have poultry.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/avian-influenza-outbreak-should-you-take-down-your-bird-feeders/ 

[PA Mom-mom]

@Starpolisher  Yep! This is from the Audubon website:

You can help these hardworking foragers get the nutrients they need by providing them with their favorite post-workout meal—nectar. This hummingbird sweet treat can be made right at home with a few simple ingredients. By filling your feeder with this DIY delight, you can complement nectar-rich plants and watch these beautiful little birds feed and flitter all day.

Materials:

• 1/4 cup refined white sugar

• 1 cup boiling water

• Bowl

• Spoon

Note: Please do not substitute honey, which can promote dangerous fungal growth, or use red food coloring, which is not necessary and could also prove harmful to birds. 

Steps:

1. Mix sugar and boiling water until sugar is dissolved. 

2. Cool and fill feeder.

3. Hang up your feeder outside and wait for the hummingbirds to come.

Also, my DD sent me this chart she pulled off the internet. It is a good guide, but I would change the water when it becomes cloudy, as others mentioned.

[depglass]

Thank you for posting this.  99% of the sugar in this area is beet sugar.  Is that OK?  

[Starpolisher]

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@depglass wrote:

Thank you for posting this.  99% of the sugar in this area is beet sugar.  Is that OK?  

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I don't know. Maybe someone else here may know or you might have to Google it.

[Marciirene]

A person on my street had feeders filled with red food coloring. So one day I popped a flier in their mail box that stated NOT to feed them red food coloring and why. The next day, the feeders were filled with sugar water then a few days later back to the red food coloring! I copied it from a hummingbird site.