DRY CAT FOOD FOR BIRDS?
by Pascal
(st peters missouri)
I hope this is not ultimately bad for wild birds but for the last ten + years I've been feeding wild birds with fairly inexpensive generic dry cat food that I also feed my 2 cats. I've been doing this throughout the year but more so in the winter months. Blue jays, Robins, Cardinals as well as starlings all seem to love it (and the squirrels too!). I first noticed the birds stealing the dry cat food that I had put outside for the occasional stray cats in the neighborhood.
BUT if this is ultimately a bad idea by all means let me know!
Pascal
CommentPascal, offhand, I can't think of any reason why this would be bad for birds.
Susan
Frying Pan Grease with bread - Good for Birds?
by Claire
(New Jersey)
Whenever I fry or bake meats like pork, chicken, sausage, bacon, I empty out the meat and instead of throwing away the fat, I soak several pieces of bread in the grease, add birdseeds and put this out for the birds. They love it. I hope this is OK and healthy and helps the birds survive in the winter.
But, I wonder about the spices I added to the meat, like garlic, salt and pepper(not a lot), parsley, and paprika. Is this OK for birds. Is anyone knowledgeable about this?
Comment
Claire, I think you've got a great idea!
The spices shouldn't harm them.
Susan
Is wheat a food for birds?
(puyallup, WA)
Is wheat a food for birds?
Help with Feeders
by Randy
(North Carolina)
Comments or Questions: I have been reading some of your info and am enjoying.
I finally filled my feeders with thistle and black-oil sunflower seed. I was using the mix that the birds just picked through and discarded the filler of course. I do not have now the number of birds that I had a few days ago....What am I not doing? Is there something else that I need to put into the feeders that will help? Maybe some type of fruit mix? Please help. Thank you....Randy
Question and answers sections needed. Some people don't know whether something is good for the birds..
by Claire
(New Jersey)
Sample Questions: Is pasta with butter and cabbage OK? Are there some pastas that are not good - like spaghetti with tomato sauce? How about pasta that has garlic and oil - like leftover shrimp scampi? How about cooked rice? How about fish or sardines? How about left over meat like ham, steak or porkchops? Your recipes may contain oatmeal - can it be raw or must it be cooked? Please specify in your recipes. Thank you.
PS How about a listing of foods that are bad for birds.
Why Not Chicken Suet for Birds?
by Lilly
(Pr, USA )
Why would chicken fat suet be harmful to feed predatory wild birds? I have seen jays take baby birds from the nest as well as eggs and so forth--don't hawks kill chickens & eat them?
I put some hardened chicken fat out (ran out of beef) and the jays ate it up.
Also why wouldn't raw beef fat be okay to feed? BIRDS eat raw meat in nature? Thanks.
Comment
You ask very good questions, Lilly.
Question #1: As a point of caution, a wild bird nutritionist and wildlife manager responding to your question, discouraged the use of chick fat for the following reasons: lower melting temp & its tendency to soften.
Because it is softer than beef it can clog birds nostrils , and also wreak havoc on their feathers.
Question #2: Rendering fat is to prevent the fat from going bad.
Happy Birding,
Susan