I Wanted Maximum Visits at My Bird Feeder. A Wildlife Expert Gave Me These Tips
Taking day out of your busy day to take a seat and hearken to the birds may sound hokey, however as a wellness author and birdwatcher, I can let you know firsthand that it will probably rework your daily routine. Hanging out with the birds or listening to birdsong has actual advantages like lowering stress, easing anxiety and even serving to scale back signs of melancholy. It may not look like a lot, however it’s a simple approach to decelerate and join with nature.
Till lately, I lived in an residence within the coronary heart of a metropolis. I needed to actively hunt down nature and the benefits of being surrounded by our avian pals. I now dwell in a home with a yard and mature timber, the place birds flit among the many bushes and bounce alongside the fence line.
I dove headfirst into my long-time dream of getting an outdoor space with chicken feeders, and I shortly realized I wanted steering on selecting the best feeder and the place to put it.
Tru Hubbard, city wildlife training coordinator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife, got here to the rescue with professional perception. From feeders and seeds to chicken security suggestions, this is every part you have to find out about the place to put and the way to care to your chicken feeder.
The place is the perfect place to place your chicken feeder?
Location, location, location — it isn’t only a time period for actual property brokers. The place and the way you arrange your chicken feeder can have an effect on the birds and different wildlife. The details to contemplate when selecting the perfect spot to your chicken feeder are correct protection and proximity to timber, distance from home windows and top off the bottom.
Protection and proximity to timber
Birds want to feed in areas with some protection, permitting them to shortly escape to close by timber or bushes if wanted. Inserting your feeder close to timber or shrubbery will increase their safety from predators and gives shelter from inclement climate like rain or wind — however they should not be too shut. The usual guideline is to place your feeder between 10 and 15 feet from bushes and timber.
Hanging your feeder in a tree with simply accessible branches is not suggested. “We additionally wish to scale back the flexibility of different animals to entry the meals, which is why generally hanging them in timber may be an invite to our smaller mammals. Inserting it about 10 ft away from any tree or construction squirrels or raccoons may use to leap off will assist cease them from stealing meals,” stated Hubbard.
A chicken feeder hung near branches or constructions may be a simple goal for squirrels, raccoons and different animals.
Correct placement may also scale back the chance of birds being stalked by neighborhood cats from the bushes. That is necessary to contemplate as a result of feral and home cat predation is the primary driver of bird mortality within the US.
Distance from home windows
“There are a number of components to contemplate that may range for every individual and yard. Prioritizing the chicken’s security must be primary; thus, avoiding spots that would enhance the possibility of chicken strikes on home windows must be on the high of the record,” stated Hubbard.
There’s a candy spot relating to how distant your feeder must be from home windows. One approach to keep in mind that is the Rule of 3 or 30, which suggests putting your chicken feeder inside 3 ft of a window or not less than 30 ft away. In case your feeder is lower than three ft from a window, the probabilities of a chicken getting injured are diminished because it will not be flying at excessive pace if it hits the window.
The most secure possibility is to place your feeder effectively away from home windows to eradicate the danger of collisions totally. “Ideally, a chicken feeder must be positioned greater than 30 ft away from any home windows, permitting loads of time for them to navigate round potential hazards, or inside just a few ft of a house, which does not enable birds to achieve sufficient pace to injure themselves in the event that they do contact a window,” defined Hubbard.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that over one billion birds collide with glass and home windows in the US yearly. If birds are colliding along with your home windows at residence, check out these tips for protecting them secure.
Shade versus solar
“Hanging feeders in shaded areas is usually most popular as a result of it should stop meals spoilage, present some cowl from the weather and maintain birds out of the new solar for a extra comfy feeding atmosphere,” defined Hubbard.
Along with protecting them cooler in the course of the hotter summer time months, a shaded location might help reduce sun glare and stop confusion for the birds flying in your yard.
The peak of your chicken feeder can even play a task in the kind of chicken you appeal to.
Peak off the bottom
The height of your feeder can even affect the species of birds that can dangle on the market. Floor-feeding birds, resembling sparrows and towhees, naturally want to eat decrease, whereas others, like woodpeckers, feed greater in timber.
“About 5 to 6 ft minimal is really useful as a consequence of different animals that can be making an attempt to entry the feed, together with squirrels, raccoons and deer,” stated Hubbard.
You possibly can actually set up a chicken feeder above that five-to-six-foot candy spot, simply take into account that positioning it too excessive could make it much less handy for cleansing and refilling.
What kind of chicken feeder must you use?
Bird feeders are available in all sizes and styles, starting from trays and platforms to hoppers and tubes. Shopping the various choices at my native plant nursery was a bit of overwhelming. I spoke with a educated worker who defined that in terms of deciding on the kind of feeder, it in the end boils right down to the chicken you hope to draw.
Hubbard echoed this sentiment. “Your chicken feeder choice relies upon totally on the species of chicken you want to feed. As an example, platform feeders are typically higher suited to bigger songbirds like cardinals, whereas feeders with numerous little perches are higher for small songbirds and might scale back competitors for meals. Issues you can even take into account are sturdiness, how simple they’re to scrub and squirrel-proof options for those who count on this to be a problem,” Hubbard defined.
Except you are making an attempt to draw one particular kind of chicken, offering a mixture of various feeder kinds and meals in your yard will appeal to the best selection. For extra, this is a breakdown of the types of bird feeders and the birds they’re finest for.
It was three days earlier than I noticed the primary customer to my platform feeder.
After putting in my hanging tray feeder, the primary customer was a California scrub jay. This species may be reasonably aggressive and aggressive with different birds, and is usually referred to as a “bully chicken,” so I hoped it would not hog the feeder. Nevertheless, I am happy to report that many different birds have since been repeatedly stopping by the feeder, together with chickadees, home finches, mourning doves and American robins.
What must you feed the birds?
Just like the kind of feeder, the meals you set out will decide which birds (and different animals) will go to. “The kind of birdseed used varies relying on what species you are hoping to draw to your yard,” Hubbard stated, sharing analysis printed by the National Audubon Society. Challenge Wildbird was a formidable research involving the statement of 1.2 million bird feeder visits to find out the highest seed preferences of birds.
The number-one alternative? Black oil sunflower seeds. They’re simple to crack open and supply a nutritious, high-oil snack, which means much less work and a better reward. It is most popular by birds such because the black-capped chickadee, Cassin’s finch, northern cardinal, home finch, tufted titmouse, red-breasted nuthatch and plenty of extra.
The birding part at my native plant nursery shows indicators displaying which seed is finest for attracting sure species of birds.
Excessive-quality birdseed will enhance the chance of birds flocking to your feeder. Low-cost store-bought combined baggage usually embody fillers resembling cracked corn and red milo. These low-quality alternate options to sunflower and different protein-rich seeds lack dietary worth, and birds usually will not eat them. Smaller birds have a tougher time consuming these with their tiny beaks. An accumulation of leftovers can develop mildew and appeal to undesirable wildlife or pests to your feeder, so it is best to keep away from a budget stuff in any respect prices.
Mealworms and suet muffins are different nice choices for offering the birds with nutritious and energy-rich meals.
I selected a wide range of birdseed mixes from Wild Birds Limitless.
I opted for numerous birdseed mixes from the respected model Wild Birds Unlimited. The corporate gives an assortment of chicken meals starting from suet muffins to high-quality seed blends. Giant bulk baggage of birdseed can be found for buy, however I selected to go together with just a few smaller baggage first to see which is the preferred among the many birds in my yard.
Don’t give them human meals
Keep away from setting out human meals or snacks to guard your wild chicken guests and their digestive well being. Sure meals, together with avocado, fruit seeds and pits, bread, milk, chocolate and meals excessive in sugar or salt, are toxic to birds.
“We don’t advocate feeding any wild chicken human meals. An unnatural weight loss program does not present the required vitamins that wild birds must be wholesome, and it will probably additionally lead to behavioral modifications, will increase in sicknesses and illness unfold,” explains Hubbard.
Is it OK to have a chicken feeder in your yard?
Typically, having a chicken feeder in your yard is ok, however it depends upon your scenario. Whereas chicken feeders appeal to numerous birds, they might additionally attract different animals, resembling mice, squirrels, raccoons, deer and bears. The presence of rodents close to your chicken feeder can appeal to predators like snakes, coyotes, hawks and owls to your house.
“Some situations the place it might be a good suggestion to take away your feeder, not less than in the interim, are while you’re made conscious of high wildlife activity in your area, together with animals resembling bears or coyotes. These animals are drawn to virtually any meals supply they will discover, particularly when they’re simply accessible. Securing meals sources may be a simple adjustment to assist maintain wildlife from creating a behavior of visiting your yard,” stated Hubbard.
In case you dwell in bear nation, it is necessary to safe any attractants when there are sightings in your space.
“In case you do not wish to take away the chicken feeder utterly, strive eradicating it in a single day when lots of wildlife is most energetic, then place it again out within the morning. You may as well strive scattering some small quantities of birdseed in your yard in the course of the day, which can be simple for birds to select by means of however not value it for our bigger animals. Understand that this may increasingly additionally appeal to smaller rodents to your yard, which may, in flip, appeal to predators. It’s good apply to maintain up with sightings in your space, and you can begin by eradicating and securing the feeders at evening,” Hubbard emphasised.
How usually must you clear your chicken feeder?
“Typically, it’s endorsed that chicken feeders be cleaned each different week or twice a month, however this frequency must be elevated if sick birds or illness is suspected. An alternative choice is to scrub the feeder each time it’s emptied,” stated Hubbard.
The frequency additionally depends upon the kind of feeder and meals concerned, in addition to the local weather. For instance, hummingbird feeders require extra frequent cleanings (round each three to 5 days), as do feeders situated in particularly sizzling or humid climate.
Most chicken feeders may be cleaned by eradicating the previous seed, taking them aside and putting them in a dishwasher on a sizzling setting or handwashing with cleaning soap or a diluted bleach solution. Correctly rinse and completely dry the chicken feeder earlier than refilling it with new seed. Cleansing the bottom beneath your feeder is really useful to stop the buildup of uneaten seed and chicken waste.
How lengthy will it take for birds to seek out the feeder?
I’ve two several types of feeders: a dangling tray and the Bird Buddy Smart Feeder. The latter has a traditional hopper or home form with a solar-powered roof for protection and a digital camera for capturing images and movies as they munch.
I needed to fend off disappointment when my little chicken buddies did not instantly swarm across the new feeders, however I discovered it will probably take up to a few weeks earlier than they’re going to work together with a brand new one. Birds are creatures of behavior, and testing a brand new meals supply and touchdown sample takes time.
The primary chicken to go to my platform feeder took about three days. It took 12 days for a chicken to land on the Chicken Buddy feeder. I used to be leaping for pleasure after I acquired the notification from the Chicken Buddy app that I had a customer — a cute mountain chickadee coming to test issues out for the primary time.
This little mountain chickadee was the primary to take a look at the Chicken Buddy feeder 12 days after putting in it.
Too lengthy; did not learn?
An important factor to contemplate is the well being and safety of the wild birds in your space. Along with the position of your chicken feeder, the kind of feeder and seed you utilize affect the species of birds that can go to — in addition to the presence of different animals and potential predators.
I benefit from the light coo of the mourning doves which have been visiting my hanging tray, however they positive do depart a large number.
Ideally, you must place your chicken feeder round 10 ft away from timber or shrubs to stop squirrels from leaping onto it. It is best to maintain your feeder not less than 30 ft away from windows or glass to scale back the danger of collision, a number one reason behind damage and demise for birds.
Use high-quality feed and keep away from providing human meals or snacks, as many are poisonous to birds. In case you dwell in an space the place bears, coyotes or foxes are incessantly noticed, securing your chicken feeder and every other attractants is essential to maintain these animals secure and out of your yard. Moreover, cats pose one other enormous menace to chicken populations. When you’ve got a cat that roams outdoors, it is best to not use chicken feeders in your yard to make sure the birds’ security and safety.
Common cleansing of your chicken feeder is important to stop mildew and micro organism development, which might result in the transmission of chicken illness.
As enjoyable as it’s to convey all of the birds to your yard, being a accountable birder is essential to making sure the birds (and also you) keep secure, wholesome and glad. When you’ve got questions relating to your birding journey, the National Audubon Society is a superb useful resource for chicken feeding and care. Your state’s wildlife division is one other improbable supply for inquiring about native pointers and help.
It is fairly easy — the chicken feeder and sort of seed you set out will affect the birds that come to your yard. Making certain their security is the highest precedence.
“It’s a widespread false impression that wild birds turn into reliant or rely solely on chicken feeders for survival. Chicken feeders is usually a invaluable meals supply throughout harsh climate or sure instances of the 12 months, however birds will proceed to seek for pure meals sources as they enterprise by means of areas,” stated Hubbard.
“In case you select to cease feeding, wild birds can regulate fairly shortly to meals supply modifications, as that is one thing that naturally happens within the atmosphere. The one time we might not advocate eradicating a meals supply is throughout excessive chilly.”
“Just like meals, our wild birds can be advantageous if they don’t seem to be supplied with a chicken tub as an possibility for water, however you are greater than welcome to have one. Chicken baths can present a readily accessible water supply for consuming and bathing, but when not correctly maintained, they will additionally pose points when it comes to illness transmission and attracting different undesirable friends, resembling predators and bugs. Contemplate the placement the place will probably be positioned and the design, ensuring you possibly can clear and alter the water repeatedly,” stated Hubbard.
“Offering chicken nesting websites (i.e., chicken homes) might help scale back the variety of birds that make nests in unsafe locations on properties that may later turn into an issue. Once more, placement is necessary and completely different species can have completely different nesting necessities,” defined Hubbard.
For extra info on offering nesting websites to your birds, take a look at the Alaska Division of Fish and Sport’s guide to building and placing birdhouses.
My favourite, Merlin Bird ID, is a well-liked free app for figuring out birds in your space. Developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, it lets you report birdsong and calls and add images that will help you determine birds, offering an array of knowledge and enjoyable information about them.
One other improbable free bird-identifying software is the Audubon Bird Guide App.
2025-07-28 17:22:00
