When should we stop feeding fat to the birds?

[tim]

Can't remember.

[tim]

[lorna]

I am waiting for the answer as well Tim ;D

[amanda21]

I didn't know we shouldn't keep feeding fat.  Is it for the same reason I was told not to continue bread once they are breeding?

[Debs]

Here's the answer from  www.garden-birds.co.uk

Feeding
There are those who support feeding birds, and then there are those against it. Here are some of the arguments for and against:

Foods
Some argue that feeding the birds is interfering with nature, especially as most of the foods we provide would not be part of their natural diet, for example: peanuts and sunflower seeds. Does this matter so long as it provides the essential carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals?

Further, both the RSPB and BTO now approve feeding the birds all year round, the justification for this being that:

During the spring, the female can be using half of her energy to produce eggs, and the male will be defending his mate and territory from other birds.
In the summer, our hand-outs supplement the adult birds' diets which allows them to feed the young with more of the natural food that they are foraging for. After breeding, many of the birds are in poor condition and will moult their feathers.
At the start of autumn, many of our summer visitors need to build up fat reserves that will see them through their migration to wintering grounds in the Mediterranean and Africa.
The cold weather and short days of the winter months mean that birds can find it difficult to find enough food to survive. Small birds, such as those that visit our gardens, need to eat 30 to 40% of their body weight daily to survive.
On the other hand, we can provide the birds with sources of natural food by planting native and fruit bearing plants, such as thistles, rowan, alder, and cease to use insecticides that kill insects.

Debs :)

[Carol]

I just don't stop feeding them fat.  Once the breeding season is underway the fat balls and them square bars of fat within a cage is still out, the adult birds have a quick feed at them inbetween gathering worms and what not for their young.  So I would say continue feeding the birds all through the nesting/breeding season.   The RSPB recommend this as well as the BTO.  The only NO NO is putting out whole peanuts at this time but to make sure the peanuts are enclosed in wire mesh feeders.

;D ;D

[Debs]

We ( 9 yr old daughter & self) made some bird cakes yesterday

& today I put one on each of my two birdtables.

As I sit, a flock (?) of starlings descended on the garden and had a

couple of minutes of frenzied feeding.

There must have been 50-60 birds and their screeching was deafening.

Debs

[tim]

Greedy lot they are!

Thanks all!

[peterpiper]

i do not profess to be an expert ,but my reasons for not putting out fat balls during the nesting season and through summer ,is that my belief is that during the warmer months the fat is softer and that the birds will have a residue of fat/grease on their bills and when they preen themselves or young the plummage gets grease laden. also i feel that excess fat content could affect nestlings.

I have found that birds tend to feed more naturally during the warmer months tending not to be so reliant on our offerings.

As i said I am no expert nor do i profess to be. these i my personally experienced thoughts.

peter piper

[tim]

Debs, peter et al - thanks - I've finally found the bit I was after, plus another  timely warning.

" Avoid using peanuts, fat and bread at this time, since these foods can be harmful if brought to nestlings".

"Peanuts and fat balls are regularly sold in nylon mesh bags. Never put out any food in mesh bags. These may trap birds' feet and even cause broken or torn off feet and legs. Birds with a barbed tongue, eg woodpeckers, can become trapped by their beaks".

[Merlins Mum]

"Peanuts and fat balls are regularly sold in nylon mesh bags. Never put out any food in mesh bags. These may trap birds' feet and even cause broken or torn off feet and legs. Birds with a barbed tongue, eg woodpeckers, can become trapped by their beaks".

Thanks for that Tim, it makes sense although I have to admit I'd never thought about it until now.

MM

[tim]

Both those are RSPB quotes - for what that's worth.

[Debs]

OMG !! :o

I shall remove the green netting of my fat balls forthwith!

Thanks Tim

Debs