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Post by Lyn N Trousers on May 31, 2009 19:39:49 GMT
I've finally got the birds to use the feeder in my garden. They seem to spill quite a bit on the ground and I noticed today that this seed has started sprouting. Am I over feeding? If I don't fill the feeder would they scrummage on the ground 'clearing up'? If I leave the seed and it grows, will they then eat that?
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Post by Fi on Jun 1, 2009 11:41:06 GMT
I don't think you're overfeeding - some birds prefer specific seeds, so rummage around looking for them in a seed mix. Unless cats are a serious threat, others, along with other wild life, will eat those that are on the ground, but some seeds may be missed and germinate. If the plants grow to maturity, they will produce seed which birds will then eat, but they won't eat the growing plants.
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Post by Peek on Jun 1, 2009 12:09:06 GMT
Our bird seed is placed on metal trays that are meshed so that rain can drain through, and we use those because we have mainly ground feeding birds. However there are certain types of seed in the mix that they just won't eat, and it's those that get strewn around the paved area it's laid on, causing nice little plants to grow in between the slabs. In late autumn last year we had a squirrel visit regularly and he/she hoovered up all the odds and ends and then kindly planted them in the lawn and some plant pots for us, lol, but it's our dog who tends to eat the greenery of the seedlings of any plants that gro from the leftover seeds.
So I don't think you're necessarily over feeding, it's just that there may be some seed that your birds don't like.
Incidentally, we have fat balls in holders for the blue tits/starlings and other non ground feeders, and the collared doves and wood pigeons regularly pick about under the feeders to find bits that have been dropped.
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Post by Mahatt Micoat on Jun 1, 2009 16:49:08 GMT
Just so long as it's not hemp seed that falls to the ground and germinates, the police take a dim view of people growing that...........
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Post by troykerr on Jun 1, 2009 17:53:45 GMT
We had the same problem such that the lawn developed a mound. Now I read one suggestion that feeders be moved around after a while to prevent disease as well as the mounds.
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Post by Sharon Sharealike on Jun 1, 2009 21:09:57 GMT
I have just swapped from sunflowers chips from Vinehouse Farm to whole sunflower hearts from another (cheeeper!) source.
They seem to be dropping more of the hearts and I sweep some up if they get too many on the floor but the pigeons and doves do a good job of hoovering!
Just watch it if it turns wet - as they can go mouldy and can be dangerous then for the birds.
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Post by Lyn N Trousers on Jun 2, 2009 11:53:37 GMT
There's a couple of pigeons which do some hoovering but it's not enough I think. MM - I don't think it's hemp but will keep you posted I'll let it grow for now and maybe change the food. Thanks for your replies
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Post by royalarcher on Jun 3, 2009 7:53:47 GMT
There's a couple of pigeons which do some hoovering but it's not enough I think. MM - I don't think it's hemp but will keep you posted I'll let it grow for now and maybe change the food. Thanks for your replies I chuck budgie seed on my path for the woodmice.
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Post by Lyn N Trousers on Jun 4, 2009 6:48:19 GMT
There's a couple of pigeons which do some hoovering but it's not enough I think. MM - I don't think it's hemp but will keep you posted I'll let it grow for now and maybe change the food. Thanks for your replies I chuck budgie seed on my path for the woodmice. I can't get budgies to grow in my garden - must be too far north for them. ;D
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Post by Phil Occifer™ on Jun 4, 2009 7:27:32 GMT
I chuck budgie seed on my path for the woodmice. I do the same...then chuck the cat out ;D
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Post by Sharon Sharealike on Jun 4, 2009 8:16:04 GMT
I chuck budgie seed on my path for the woodmice. I do the same...then chuck the cat out ;D *kicks out Jester* That'll sort them out!!!
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