Bird food
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Bird food or bird seed is food (often varieties of seeds, nuts, and or dried fruits) consumed by wild and domestic birds. While most bird food is fed to commercial fowl (chicken, turkey), people also use bird food to feed their pet birds or provide a feeding site for wild birds.
The various types of bird food reflect the species of bird that can be fed, for example, whether they are carnivores, herbivores, insectivores, nectar-eating birds, etc. Bird food can also differ by the feeding strategies employed by beaks in cracking the seed coat and obtaining the seeds inside (hooked versus straight beaks, for example).
Sunflower seeds attract the widest variety of birds, and so often form the mainstay backyard bird feeders. However, other varieties of seed can help attract different types of birds to gardens and backyards. In general, mixtures that contain red millet, oats, and other "fillers" are not attractive to most birds and can lead to a lot of waste as the birds sort through the mix,[1] as well as the potential for fungal and bacterial growth.
While it is a popular practice to feed wild birds from bird feeders, they can carry potential risks for the birds that feed there, such as disease,[2] malnutrition,[3] and predation by domestic animals.[4] Researchers recommend that bird feeders be disinfected every time they are refilled.[2]
Types
Natural
Seed
Black sunflower seeds are highly recommended for use in bird feeders because they attract a wide variety of birds, have a high ratio of seed material to shell, and are high in fat content (especially important for winter birds).[5][6] Other common bird seeds include Niger, or thistle seed, a favorite of goldfinches,redpolls. Millet for sparrows and juncos as well as safflower for cardinals, among others.[5][6]
Non-seed
Suet is recommended for insect-eating birds like nuthatches and woodpeckers.[5] Artificial nectar – essentially sugar water – attracts hummingbirds.[5] Bread and kitchen scraps are often fed to ducks and gulls (although this can lead to nutrient deficiencies and increased defecation for the birds in question). Chickens are commonly fed maize, wheat, barley, sorghum and milling by-products, in a mixture traditionally called chicken scratch. Pet parrots are fed fresh fruit, vegetables and nuts (in addition to seed).
These seeds and non-seed supplies are commonly obtained as by-products on farms, but can also be bought from independent retailers.
Commercial
Non Farm
Commercial bird food is widely available for feeding wild and domesticated birds, both seed combinations and pellets.[6][7]
When feeding wild birds the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)[8] suggests that it be done year-round, with different mixes of nutrients being offered each season. Selections should have additional fat content in the winter months, and additional proteins in the form of nuts, seeds, and dried worms in summer when birds are changing their plumage and maybe molting.
Farm
Farmed birds fed commercial bird food typically are given very specific scientifically designed pre-blended feed. Examples of commercial bird food for chickens include chick starter medicated crumbles, chick grower crumbles, egg layer mash, egg layer pellet, egg layer crumbles, egg producer pellet, and boilermaker med crumbles.[9][clarification needed] Pellet crumbles are often prepared for tiny chicks. Mash is more finely ground.
See also
References
- ^ "Feeding Birds: A Quick Guide to Seed Types". 20 April 2009. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Birds that eat at feeders more likely to get sick, spread disease". Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- ^ "Feeding birds". The RSPB. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- ^ "Backyard Feeders: Dangers To Watch Out For | Petcha". www.petcha.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- ^ a b c d "What to Feed Birds". Archived from the original on 10 August 2006. Retrieved 23 August 2006."Seeds and Grains for Birds". Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2006.
- ^ a b c Porter, Diane. "Winter Bird Feeder: Keep Them Coming Back". Archived from the original on 3 September 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2006.
- ^ "Choosing Bird Food". Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2006.
- ^ "When to feed wild birds". The RSPB. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
- ^ Jacob, Dr. Jacquie. "Feeding Chickens for Egg Production". Extension.org. Extension. Archived from the original on 16 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2019.