Although my peanut feeder is proving popular, the birds must only be taking tiny amounts as the level of peanuts hasn't yet visibly diminished. How long can I keep the peanuts in there before they go bad and need replacing?
Also, I just read on another site that you should move feeders regularly to avoid a buildup of bird droppings in one place - is this the case? I am limited as to the number of places I can put mine!
Hi somethingofadreamer,
I found I'd get a month at the most out of peanuts, but I guess you could just change them when they started to look unappealing. Personally I don't feed peanuts, purely because none of my little darlings will eat them! Someone may be more accurate with a time though :o)
You are supposed to move feeders every so often yes, or you could wash the area down with a hosepipe or something? I have seen somewhere a cleaner that's environmentally friendly that you can use, if I can find it I'll post a link here for you.
Hello Somethingofadreamer,
Welcome to the forum.
I have just taken down my peanut feeder. On inspection, some of the nuts had gone mouldy. I haven't seen any birds on it in a long time. I find they prefer peanut granules - easier than the whole nut - in a flat dish, fence-mounted tray or table.
If you clean up the mess from under your feeders you don't need to move them. I can't move mine.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
I only use a really small feeder for whole peanuts as they didn't seem to go very quickly even though they are picked at regularly. I always grind them in food processor and put them on the table with a mix and they go like snow off a dyke,as they say.
Also limited with space, so never move but clean around the feeders regularly
Hi somethingofadreamer
If you are left with some peanuts try chopping them and mixing with your ground feed. then the sparrows will get some.
I tend to leave my feeders in the same place as I found that is where the birds like them, the sunflower seeds near the large fir tree for the Tits, chaffinches and greenfinches,. Nyjer in middlie for goldfinches, chaffinches.
the mix seeds near the ivy for sparrows and fats balls up high for the woodpeckers, mealworms on tables and mealworm feeder for rodbins.
the peanut feeders are visted by starlings, tits, and squirrels. the sparrows try
the starlings, woodpigeons, collared doves, song thrushs, wagtails, robins and blackbirds all share the gound and tables
Hey farmer, farmer, put away the D.D.T now. Give me spots on my apples, but leave me the birds and the bees, please!
Hi Somethingofadreamer
Have the same problem too - peanuts sit there for ages and just go off. Birds will peck at them sometimes just to be polite. I just grind them up now and put them in with other feed, they seem to like this much better.
As to moving feeders around, if you are limited to where you can move them too like me, I would just regularly hose down the areas where the build up is beginning to look yukky.
Regards
Kerry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezmo6310/
Thanks everyone for your replies. I will have a close look at my feeder tomorrow and check the state of the peanuts. May well try grinding some - any tips on an easy way to do this?!
somethingofadreamer said:May well try grinding some - any tips on an easy way to do this?!
Ask Kezmo!!!
Best not ask me. It involves bashing them with a rolling pin - our rolling pin was toughened glass. "Was" being the operative word!! Kezmo is the expert.
LOL Sparrow!
Bishy I'm not really an expert it's just I don't have such a posh rolling pin as Sparrow!! I normally put my peanuts in a bag and them bash them with the rolling pin (wooden one). I did try to put them in a blender but I couldn't stop it in time before the whole lot was ground to fine powder.
Unknown said:I normally put my peanuts in a bag and them bash them with the rolling pin (wooden one).
You haven't mentioned decorating the kitchen wall, and what you found when you went to bed! My lips are sealed.
I never quite managed the rolling pin method, especially after smashing it. I found a hammer the best, and shop bought granules even better!!
Hush Sparrow!
Shop bought granules are as Sparrow said the best for all sorts of reasons!