Birds enjoy a host of kitchen scraps we may be tempted to chuck into the bin, with the RSPCA confirming exactly what to put into feeders this spring.
Feeding our feathered-friends all year round is important, especially in severe weather and cold conditions, but as spring arrives birds also enter mating season. Human intervention can ensure they have access to the right nutrients to thrive, when resources are otherwise scarce. For many of us who have bird feeders, or feeding tables in our gardens, it’s easy to refill them with shop-bought seed mixes. But there’s a long list of other foods we can leave out for them too – and it ranges from fruit and nuts to boiled potatoes and cheese.
In terms of what cheese to leave out, its recommended that mild, grated cheddar or other hard cheese is selected. But, brie and blue cheese should not be left out due to its high salt content. According to animal charity, the RSPCA, birds love to feast on fruit – including apples, pears and anything soft. In terms of grains and seeds, they specifically like nyjer, millet, oats and sunflower seeds, along with peanuts – but they must not be salted. It’s also imperative to ensure they don’t contain aflatoxin which is a poison caused by fungus mould.
Chicks can also choke on peanuts, so if you’re planning on leaving them out, it’s best to ensure they are put into feeders with a smaller mesh.
In terms of water, bowls should be kept clean and fresh and placed away from large shrubs or bushes where predators could lurk and pounce on unsuspecting birds. Cleanliness of bird feeders is equally important due to the transmission of diseases which kills off scores of garden birds every year. Washing them thoroughly every week and ensuring they are dry before refilling is the best way to prevent this.
Another good tip, according to the RSPCA, is to rotate feeding and drinking areas for birds as this is said to reduce the risk of disease spreading among birds.
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