Feeding birds correctly: year-round feeding?

Opinions on the subject of bird feeding differ greatly in some cases. Does year-round feeding make sense? What should you feed in winter? We answer these and other questions and show the advantages and disadvantages of year-round feeding.

Regardless of whether it is scattered feed, sunflower seeds, food cakes or tit dumplings - you can buy birdseed in every hardware store and, at the right time, even in the supermarket. Bird feeding has long since ceased to be an aid to isolated conservationists, but has developed into a widespread hobby. And the offer is gratefully accepted by many wild birds, because in our increasingly intensified and barren landscape they can often no longer find enough natural food. However, so that the well-intentioned support does not turn into potential dangers for the birds, there are a few things to consider when feeding birds appropriately. Scientists and hobby ornithologists have long been arguing about year-round feeding in particular. In this article we would like to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of year-round feeding and answer other important questions about correct wild bird feeding.

Feeding birds: advantages of year-round feeding

Nowadays our landscape is increasingly dominated by poorly structured agricultural areas, unnaturally tidy forest forests and gardens with English lawns and foreign ornamental flowers. For this reason, native wild birds can no longer find enough habitat and food in many places, even in the spring and summer months. Year-round bird feeding can therefore support the wild bird populations in the medium term and provide a large number of garden birds with an important additional source of food. Particularly grain-eating bird species such as the goldfinch or the Goldhammer look forward to year-round feeding.

Year-round feeding: disadvantages

In general, birds have different requirements for their food in winter than in summer. Classic litter made from seeds and nuts is made up of components that birds only find in the wild in the late year. The high-fat kernels are ideal for the cold half of the year, as they provide a lot of energy for heat production.

In summer, however, expectant bird parents need more protein-rich feed for egg production and the development of the young. Although adult birds still accept fatty seeds, there is a risk that they will feed them to their young if there is a lack of natural summer food. Young birds, however, often cannot tolerate fatty food and particularly large seeds, such as whole sunflower seeds, can clog the small stomachs of the young animals.

Conclusion: Does year-round feeding make sense?

In view of our rapidly dwindling wild bird populations, year-round feeding is definitely makes sense, because it supports a large number of bird species in their daily struggle for food and Survive. However, in order not to cause adverse consequences, one should be aware of the food requirements of garden birds and use different feed in summer than in winter.

What should be fed in summer

Both fresh and dried fruits, protein-rich seeds of wild herbs, oat flakes, finely chopped nuts or kernels and also farmed insects are suitable for summer feeding.

Our specially developed Plantura all year round feed For example, it offers many protein-rich components that are suitable for the beak, with a wide range of nutrients and an extra portion of feed lime for egg development.

What should be fed in winter?

As the name suggests, the year-round feed can of course also be offered in winter. Our Plantura scatter feed at. The mixture of nuts, seeds and peeled sunflower seeds provides an additional energy boost in the cold season.

Furthermore, a large number of high-energy plant seeds - such as peanuts or sunflower seeds -, fat cakes and tit dumplings or fresh fruit are suitable for winter feeding. In principle, it is always an advantage to offer different feeds. In this way, a wider range of nutrients is provided and at the same time more bird species are supported. After all, birds also have different food preferences.

tip: When using tit dumplings, we recommend using Tit dumplings without a net. You can find out what advantages these offer in our special article.

Feeding birds properly: this must be observed otherwise

Of course, there is more to the question of how to feed birds properly than just the right food. So that your garden birds feel as comfortable as possible, we have put together a few points that need to be considered when feeding birds:

• safety: Always place feeding places out of the reach of domestic cats and other predators - preferably hanging under a canopy or on a high, smooth stele.
• hygiene: So that the feed does not go moldy, it should be protected from moisture. Feeding places should therefore always be covered Birdhouse cleaning easy to do. Ideally, feeding stations are also designed in such a way that the birds cannot sit in the feed and contaminate it with their droppings.
• additions: Particularly pure grain eaters need a balance to the dry seeds. Year-round feeding is therefore optimally supplemented by the offer of a water point. There the birds can quench their thirst and take a refreshing bath on hot days.
• Less is more: Despite all hygienic measures, feeding places are always exposed to the elements and the feed rarely stays dry for long outdoors. For this reason, only small amounts of feed should be applied at once and the feeding and watering points should be cleaned regularly.

tip: If you don't have your own garden, you can too Feed the birds on the balcony.

A feeding station in the garden is not only a great way to support wild birds, it also offers numerous opportunities to make them at home Bird watching. You can find further practical tips for getting started with hobby orithology in our special article.