Hi,
Could someone tell me, should I stop feeding the birds in summertime? If yes when should I stop and start again?
I know its a daft question but dont want young birds growing up thinking that food is laid out out for them each morning, if you know what I mean?
Thanks,
Terry
Hi Terry, I am new to feeding the birds also, but I shall be feeding them throughtout the year, I think in the summertime a lot of parent birds go hungry because of the demands of feeding the chicks, they are also using up alot of energy, by providing food your making life alot easier for them, as they can have quick top ups whilst working all day trying to find natural food for the chicks.
There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed.
Hi Terry, me again, it's not a daft question, I've not been on the forum for that long, and I'm sure I've been asking daft questions,being new to it all, but if you don't ask you won't know, everybody on here seems very friendly and will be happy to answer anything, I've been learning alot here, talking with everyone.
Hi Terry
If you want to continue to feed during the summer, there is no problem doing so. The main thing to remember is that some foods are not suitable if taken to the nest for chicks. Consequently, if you feed peanuts, make sure that they are only offered in fine mesh rigid feeder, from which birds can only remove small pieces - a chunk of nut can choke a chick if taken to the nest. While bread should only ever be given in modest quantities because of its low nutritional value, it is important to crumb it fine during the breeding season, which makes it less likely to be taken to the nest - bread is no good at all as chick food. Sultanas and raisins are good all season food, but do soak them overnight during the summer. Chicks get all their moisture from their food, and so dry food can cause dehydration, especially in hot dry weather.
Fats have a more limited appeal in the summer months anyway, but if you continue with fats, only use the commercially produced products, since these have been treated in a way that ensure they stay solid in the warmer temperatures, and are less likely to go off quickly. Home made fat balls often soften in summer weather to the point that there is a risk of the fat smearing onto feathers, and some fats can go rancid before they are eaten. This is why we recommend home made fat cake as winter food only.
Seed can be safely fed to birds all year round. Don't worry about the young birds not learning 'proper' feeding. Yes, the parent birds will show where the best bird feeders are, but they will also show the fledglings the best natural feeding sites. Remember, that what we put out on bird tables and feeders is a top-up to the birds' natural diet, not a replacement to it, and the birds instinctively treat gardens as one of the many sources of food available to them.