Feeding the animals

Cloud · 11-21-2010, 11:35 AM

I'd like to put out some bird food/seeds for the wildlife for the winter, and am wondering what is the best way. I'm watching chipmunks out my window now. (wish I could get a good pic of them--they're pretty cute). I also have doves, quail, roadrunners, owls, etc. Mainly doves.

I know doves like sunflower seeds, and have put out suet cakes attached to a tree before (which was eaten all up). I don't just want to put a bowl of seeds out there, because I think it will attract ants, mice, and other pests which might then come into my home.

Is there a right way to do this?

Glinda · 11-21-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud

I'd like to put out some bird food/seeds for the wildlife for the winter, and am wondering what is the best way. I'm watching chipmunks out my window now. (wish I could get a good pic of them--they're pretty cute). I also have doves, quail, roadrunners, owls, etc. Mainly doves.

I know doves like sunflower seeds, and have put out suet cakes attached to a tree before (which was eaten all up). I don't just want to put a bowl of seeds out there, because I think it will attract ants, mice, and other pests which might then come into my home.

Is there a right way to do this?

Doves and quail are ground feeders, so a hanging feeder won't work for them - I'd just toss a few cups of seeds out in a protected area once a day.

Owls are meat eaters, so I wouldn't even try putting anything out for them.

Chipmunks like cracked corn - I know because they sneak into the chicken coop and pick it out of the feed bins.

I recommend getting a good hanging feeder and putting it near a window, so you can watch the little boogers up close and personal.

If you do get a hanging feeder, get a solid metal/glass one, or the squirrels will chew into it to get to the seeds. The squirrel-proof feeders can be a bit pricey, but they're worth it if your main goal is to feed birds (squirrels are voracious eaters and tend to be quite aggressive so they keep the birds from feeding - in other words, the squirrels will end up with all of the food if you're not careful). And, if you think you'd enjoy watching squirrels FAIL!, get one of these:

Cloud · 11-21-2010, 04:33 PM

thanks!

monster · 11-21-2010, 04:47 PM

Is it time to post the squirrelapult again?

Cloud · 11-21-2010, 04:54 PM

oddly, I haven't seen squirrels out there

Glinda · 11-22-2010, 10:58 AM

Hmm? I thought squirrels lived pretty much everywhere. Are you in an extreme desert area or on top of Everest?

Cloud · 11-22-2010, 11:01 AM

no, there are squirrels around. I see them at work, which is two hills over. I just haven't seen them right outside my porch, which is odd, because I've seen all that other wildlife. There are pine trees out there where the doves nest; mesquite and scrub where the other birds, the chipmunks, the roadrunners are. I'm sure the squirrels are there, but I guess I just haven't seen them.

Sundae · 11-22-2010, 11:23 AM

We put out dried mealworms for the birds (as well as other things).

I'm pretty sure these don't attract mice or ants. Birds love them though - high proein in small amounts. You need to make sure you have water handy though - they lack the moisture birds consume when eating live worms.

11-21-2010, 11:35 AM	#1
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	Feeding the animals I'd like to put out some bird food/seeds for the wildlife for the winter, and am wondering what is the best way. I'm watching chipmunks out my window now. (wish I could get a good pic of them--they're pretty cute). I also have doves, quail, roadrunners, owls, etc. Mainly doves. I know doves like sunflower seeds, and have put out suet cakes attached to a tree before (which was eaten all up). I don't just want to put a bowl of seeds out there, because I think it will attract ants, mice, and other pests which might then come into my home. Is there a right way to do this? __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

11-21-2010, 04:33 PM	#3
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	thanks! __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

11-21-2010, 04:47 PM	#4
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Is it time to post the squirrelapult again? __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

11-21-2010, 04:54 PM	#5
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	oddly, I haven't seen squirrels out there __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

11-22-2010, 11:01 AM	#7
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	no, there are squirrels around. I see them at work, which is two hills over. I just haven't seen them right outside my porch, which is odd, because I've seen all that other wildlife. There are pine trees out there where the doves nest; mesquite and scrub where the other birds, the chipmunks, the roadrunners are. I'm sure the squirrels are there, but I guess I just haven't seen them. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

11-22-2010, 10:58 AM	#6
Glinda Fucktard Resistance League Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: 1.14 acres of heaven Posts: 1,512	Hmm? I thought squirrels lived pretty much everywhere. Are you in an extreme desert area or on top of Everest?

11-22-2010, 11:23 AM	#8
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	We put out dried mealworms for the birds (as well as other things). I'm pretty sure these don't attract mice or ants. Birds love them though - high proein in small amounts. You need to make sure you have water handy though - they lack the moisture birds consume when eating live worms.

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