Feed the Birds

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Teatime

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I hope everyone is remembering to throw out some food to the birds at the moment because they are having a rough time of it with this extended cold spell.
 
Teatime said:
I hope everyone is remembering to throw out some food to the birds at the moment because they are having a rough time of it with this extended cold spell.
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It's important if you're doing this to do it reguarly and consistently because they birds will very quickly come to rely on you as a food source.
 
I get the impression that you think this cold spell will be around for a while
 
during frosty weather also leave out some water for our feathered friends
 
We hung a bird feeder out during the summer but they wont touch it - think it might be too near the front of the apartment but unfortunately dont have a garden so no choices on moving it further away - will get onto throwing food out the back in the communal area though.

Whats the best way to leave out water that it wont freeze but they can drink it easily?
 
We used to put out hot water - not so hot that the birds would scald themselves, but hot enough that it would take longer to freeze. You would still need to check it regularly, though.
 
We have 5 bird feeders out our back garden and it is going really well we had 8 goldfinches (they love the nuts) out there the other day and i am led to believe that they are fairly rare in irish gardens. Just change the water every morning with warm water.
 
oopsbuddy said:
Be aware that this can attract rats which could make you very unpopular with your neighbours!
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It wont as long as you do it in the morning and in small quantities.

i.e. it will all be gone by the evening time when the rodents come skulking.
 
My Dad has a bird feeder in the garden, it is elevated and suspended in his patio area, he purchases nuts etc from pet shop. Kids love to watch the birds activiy coming and going when they are at Grandad's. He does feed all year round as they do become dependant on it. Mind you there are very few birds where we live just crows on bin day, and the odd starling, strange...
 
oopsbuddy said:
Be aware that this can attract rats which could make you very unpopular with your neighbours!
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Think the communal bins already attract the little beggars - but I can use an elevated area that might help make this less of an issue.

We get foxes at night round the bins too - perhaps they help deter the rats?
 
Sherman said:
It's important if you're doing this to do it reguarly and consistently because they birds will very quickly come to rely on you as a food source.
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I would only feed the birds in the winter months and especially when the ground is frozen. Otherwise I feel they would become overly dependent.
 
My sister won't feed the birds and gives out to my Mam and me for doing so- she says we're turning them into social welfare birds!
 
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