Bird feeding
Last post 01-01-2009 3:28 PM by Clematis. 67 replies.
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08/11/2008 02:47 PM
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- miranda
- Oxfordshire
- 17 Nov 2004
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2,971
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I've also seen the birds picking over the shrubs - there must be lots of spiders and what not. Sure it makes a good meal for them but I'm glad we don't have to eat that sort of thing. That's interesting that you get three robins, Susiq. I wonder if your garden is where their territories meet? Do you see them fighting?
Something to consider with things like peanut butter is the salt content as birds can't digest salt and it makes them ill. I don't eat it myself so don't know what's in it apart from peanuts.
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08/11/2008 03:30 PM
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- Susiq
- Northumberland
- 16 Feb 2008
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1,104
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Yes they fight VERY vigorously, but keep coming back for more! I'll try and capture them together on my 'new toy'! Interesting point re salt! I often make my own fat balls from the left overs of Sunday lunch, which does have a high salt content especially if its been roast pork! Does that include chickens? We regularly give them leftovers from our meals, we lost two chickens earlier in the year and you've now got me thinking if that was part of the cause? The vet couldn't establish why they were sick?
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08/11/2008 04:12 PM
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- miranda
- Oxfordshire
- 17 Nov 2004
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2,971
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I wonder if that could be it with the robins, Susiq, you're on the spot where their territories meet. I bet your garden is desirable territory! Looking at the photos, no wonder they fight over it, it has everything they need. I think the salt thing may include chickens, as they are birds, but I don't know. I did a search but it mostly came up with recipes! You could ask on a chicken keeping forum, they'd probably know. As for the wild birds, the RSPB say to avoid anything salty on their FAQ page. They look like fine chickens, by the way :-)
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08/11/2008 07:32 PM
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- sue1002
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- 06 Sep 2005
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5,199
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 miranda:Something to consider with things like peanut butter is the salt content as birds can't digest salt and it makes them ill. I don't eat it myself so don't know what's in it apart from peanuts.
Just checked my jar Miranda, the contents are 91% roasted peanuts, peanut oil, brown cane sugar, palm oil and sea salt and the salt content is 0.4g per 100g.
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09/11/2008 04:34 PM
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- Phot's-Moll
- The sunny South coast.
- 06 Jan 2007
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3,347
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There's an apple tree near my house and each year the apples fall into the road and get squashed. I've just collected a bag of them and will put them out for the blackbids.
Whether you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, you are right.
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10/11/2008 12:24 PM
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- miranda
- Oxfordshire
- 17 Nov 2004
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2,971
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Sue, I really don't know how much salt is too much for birds - it would be good to find out! Maybe the RSPB should have that information. I like to put apples out for blackbirds as well, Phot's. They eat them with such obvious pleasure, don't they.
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10/11/2008 02:01 PM
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- Susiq
- Northumberland
- 16 Feb 2008
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1,104
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Thanx Miranda - I'm gonna make some enquiries thru my RSPB membership.
Sue1002, obviously your birds come back for more so I don't think it can be doing any damage! That said, when we buy shop bought fatballs - we've no idea what the salt content is in them either!?!? Where does all the surplus fat come from that go into making the balls? - they are so cheap to buy, we pay £1.00 for 5 balls.
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10/11/2008 02:40 PM
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- sue1002
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- 06 Sep 2005
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5,199
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I have no idea where the fat comes from in the commercial fat balls, it's not something I had thought about before. I do buy them in the summer as the home-made ones (lard) melt in the sun and we have a place locally where we can get a tub of 50 for £7.
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10/11/2008 03:14 PM
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- Susiq
- Northumberland
- 16 Feb 2008
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1,104
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WHAA-AAAT? 50 for £7.00!?!?! and there woz me thinking we were doing well - obviously NOT!!!
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10/11/2008 04:55 PM
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- sue1002
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- 06 Sep 2005
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5,199
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On the plus side Susiq, your £1 for five is cheaper than our smaller packets of 4 for 99p. I thought the £7 was good until I just googled the same make ones and find they are only £6 in Wilkos http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/invt/0259596
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10/11/2008 05:39 PM
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- Susiq
- Northumberland
- 16 Feb 2008
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1,104
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Just checked out that link to the site Sue1002 - am going to Newcastle on Wed (eye checkup) and will definately be popping into Wilko's!!
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10/11/2008 06:57 PM
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- sue1002
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- 06 Sep 2005
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5,199
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Hope the check-up goes ok Susiq. When you've finished with the fat ball tub, you can use it in the garden, I use mine to make the comfrey feed as the lid fits nice and tight.
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12/11/2008 10:48 AM
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- Phot's-Moll
- The sunny South coast.
- 06 Jan 2007
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3,347
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The fat balls are very pricey round here. I bought a small pack, but I'll take a trip to Wilkos once they've gone.
Whether you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, you are right.
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12/11/2008 02:26 PM
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- miranda
- Oxfordshire
- 17 Nov 2004
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2,971
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Good luck with the eye test, Susiq. That's a good idea, Sue. I use those old buckets for putting weeds and other bits into. They don't get heavy or awkward when they're full.
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12/11/2008 03:32 PM
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- sue1002
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- 06 Sep 2005
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5,199
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The buckets do come in handy outside, OH is using one as an ashtray in his shed after I moaned at him for the amount of dog-ends that were scattered about at the top of the garden. I told him that if he was going to use the garden as an ashtray then I would start doing the same to the floor in his car - it worked 
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