Fat balls

[caroline7758]

This may seem like a silly question! I have bought a tub of fat balls, individual ones in nets. When I put them in a feeder, is it best to leave them in the nets so they hold together longer, or take them out? Or is it better to hang them somehow without a feeder?

[caroline7758]

[Melbourne12]

We take ours out of the net before putting them in the (squirrel-proof) feeder.  I think that you can hang them in the net from a string, but in our garden the squirrels would have them within minutes.

[lavenderlux]

It's best to take them out of the nets, as birds feet can get trapped in the plastic nets

[Flighty]

It's not a silly question!

Always remove the mesh nets. Here's what the RSPB says (bottom of page) -

http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/feeding/how.aspx

[caroline7758]

Thanks, that's very helpful. Interestingly we were at a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust area this morning and there were mesh bags hanging up there! I wonder if they had been brought in by members of the public.

[small]

I am forever finding these little nets in my garden, I think every neighbour must use them. I do worry about the danger to wildlife, hedgehogs as well as birds.

[Kleftiwallah]

I have a small (only two) seed ball holder over the top of the bird table and the rooks take turns pecking and breaking up the balls for those waiting on the ground below.  They then change places so each gets a beak full.   ;D   Cheers,     Tony.

[Aden Roller]

The local squirrels love them here.... (not the nets  ;) )