Warning! - Feeding Peanuts to Birds

wildone · #1 (**permalink**) 16-03-2006, 01:18 PM

Hello All Birdfeeding Members

I have noticed some photographs with Whole Peanuts on a flat surface, during the past few days. We are now coming to the time of year when early breeders will be hatching eggs and feeding young, so please be aware that BABY BIRDS CAN CHOKE ON WHOLE PEANUTS, OR EVEN LARGE PIECES OF THEM. Please make sure that ALL peanuts are in a mesh feeder or are not fed during the breeding season. Probably until late September/early October just to make sure.

Thank you, as I'm sure that you wish no harm to the birds you feed.

wildone

Alan · #2 (**permalink**) 16-03-2006, 02:51 PM

And also if you put bread out, wet it first as it can swell up inside the chicks!

cherrybee · #3 (**permalink**) 16-03-2006, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildone

Please make sure that ALL peanuts are in a mesh feeder or are not fed during the breeding season. Probably late September/early October to make sure.

Oh dear I am guilty as charged. It is only recently I have been putting seed and nuts out so I can attract the birds close to my back door to take photos.I didnt realise.I am sorry I will get a feeder tomorrow.

wildone · #4 (**permalink**) 16-03-2006, 03:25 PM

Cherrybee, the other seed is fine to be scattered, it is just that peanuts are a particular hazard. Because they are large and hard and don't melt or soften, baby birds get them caught in their throats and they can no longer breathe. This is a reminder to all members that they can cause harm if they continue to feed loose peanuts.

wildone

digi · #5 (**permalink**) 16-03-2006, 03:50 PM

This should be made a sticky if any moderator reads this.

Grantus · #6 (**permalink**) 16-03-2006, 04:29 PM

Just a question. Is there any evidence that chicks will choke on peanuts?

wildone · #7 (**permalink**) 16-03-2006, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grantus

Just a question. Is there any evidence that chicks will choke on peanuts?

I have just downloaded this from the RSPB site:

<If food shortage occurs whilst birds have young in the nest they may be tempted by easy food put on birdtables to make up the shortfall in natural food, initially to feed themselves, but if the situation gets bad enough, they will also take the food to the nest. If the food offered on bird tables is not suitable for the young chicks, it can do more harm than good, and can even be lethal to the chicks as they can choke on the food. It can be difficult for a human to gauge when food shortage in the wild occurs, and hence it is best not to put out food that is likely to create problems during the breeding season. Therefore, never put out loose peanuts, dry hard foods, large chunks of bread, or fats during the spring or summer months.>

I think that to go along with what an organisation like the RSPB is certainly not going to do harm and may save some from being done.

wildone

John · #8 (**permalink**) 16-03-2006, 06:06 PM

Absolutely spot on regarding the nuts and bread. I never put loose nuts out at any time of the year.

I have several peanut feeders spread around the garden plus a couple of feeders full of Kibbled Nuts and I find that just about covers all those birds that want to feed off peanuts.

John

Tragus · #9 (**permalink**) 16-03-2006, 10:10 PM

Hi Grantus

Yep, we have had birds in with nuts, peas and even whole caterpillars stuffed in their throats and crops. Some can be removed with careful tweezering (don't know if that is acrtually a word!!) It's okay to crush up your peanuts too using a food processor and scatter them about, but make sure the pieces are small. Or just buy peanut granules instead of whole ones!

Bread is a killer and should never really be put out,unless as digi says, wet, but this can dry out and I would advise avoiding feeding bread anyway. It fills the bird up but has little nutritional value for growing birds. Breadcrumbs are okay, but even giving it to ducks is not the best. Better to take a bag full of mixed corn and feed them that instead. We even have a pet shop selling small bags of corn to feed to the swans and ducks near to the River Severn.

Good thread Widlone

Jo

paulinemiller10 · #10 (**permalink**) 29-03-2006, 12:01 PM

I always chop my peanuts up in the mixer , but watching a nest of blackbirds last year on live cam, they were fed only worms and insects for the first two weeks even though their favourite sultanas were just below them in the feeder, the worms they brought were sometime s huge, and it would take them ages to push it down their throats, and I did think they were going to choke them lol, but I think the birds know what they are doing and what to feed their young, but no harm in being careful. Pauline