If you often watch birds in your backyard you will notice they spend a lot of their time on one essential activity….eating. The search and discovery of food is never-ending. In fact it is no surprise that with a small stomach they need to eat a little bit at a time frequently through out the day. It takes quite a few small meals and snacks to fill up their small belly, particularly when it is regularly consumed one seed at time.
There are quite a few varieties of backyard birds that are year round residents even in cold climates. Placing a bird feeder in your garden is so vital to the health and safety of these birds. By doing so you are ensuring that they have a source of food during a difficult time of the year. Knowing this they will come around frequently and continue to visit during the more pleasant summer months of the year. In our terms it’s like having a free buffet restaurant in a convenient location that never closes. Wouldn’t you visit every day if the price was right?
In order to avoid contamination of the food from damp conditions, mold and bacteria it is critical to take a few precautions. Of primary importance is the requirement to ensure that moisture does not build up in the feeder and water can drain properly. Residual accumulation can easily result in moldy build-up which is toxic for birds.
The feeder needs to have a narrow access area where food is dispersed to prevent birds from getting into the seed box or standing on the food. This will prevent birds from defecating on the food itself and spreading disease to other birds.
Another feature that will make it easier to reduce contamination is if the feeder has a perch that is a small distance away from the feeding area forcing the bird to hold itself back from the main station.
Of course cleaning the feeder often is a must and any feeder made of plastic or metal will be fairly easy to sanitize with a basic soap and water mixture. Bleach can be used in these instances however a wood feeder will fade so vinegar is an adequate substitute to ensure its hygiene.
Seed that accumulates on the ground will become unsanitary for the birds so the feeder can be placed over a patio where the fallen seed can be removed easily. Another option is to have wood chips placed below the feeder so the seeds fall beneath and cannot be seen. Ground feeders can search out the food themselves in this scenario.
These few tips will create a clean and sanitary environment around your feeder for the birds to enjoy. Happy Feeding!
