To feed or not to feed, that is the question?

[Hedge Witch]

Following on from an earlier thread, I realise I have a moral dilemma. I have now counted 6 Robin chicks in my shed, and as I said before, my instinct is to help the baby Robins out. Realising I was running out of mealworms, I've been busy digging to get whatever I could find (mainly worms) to supplement their diet. I don't intend for "my Robins" to die of starvation. But I think it is a pointless exercise, since the local area cannot support this many more Robins, even if they do survive. So I should let Nature take its course, I think. But I can't (I won't) do this.

Should I just save my back and try and ignore the situation? Does anyone else identify with me?

[Pippa]

Nooooooooooooooooooo HW ofcourse not.It is never pointless and always worthwhile.Anything that helps wild-life is a Yes Yes.You should be so proud to have 6 live Robin chicks.I had 3 a couple of years ago and i was so thrilled.They have such a tough life and mostly short lived anyway so anything that makes it easier is good.

I do identify with you but i say "Never give up"

[Jenny W]

I just said this in another thread but....

I don't believe that birds become dependent on supplementary feeding - although it's important to supplementary feed as a way of replacing the loss of some natural food - birds aren't daft, if a food source dries up they will move onto another.

Your Robins should be fine, the adults will find another source of food for them, after all it does appear to be turning into a good year insect wise judging by my moth traps and the general number of inverts that appear to be around (anyone else think this?)

[NickCantle]

Originally Posted by Jenny W

it does appear to be turning into a good year insect wise judging by my moth traps and the general number of inverts that appear to be around (anyone else think this?)

Absolutely Jenny.

[camo]

Hedgie

If youv'e got the time dig the worms if not buy some mealworms, I now you usually cultivate live ones but dried are better than none. They will probably survive even if you don't feed them but if they are lucky enough to have been born in Hedgie's garden then let them enjoy their luck. As for territory if an Osprey can fly to Africa an back I am sure a Robin can fly far enough to find a tiny piece of England. A second reason is we may have a really bad winter and you may need some fresh Robins to take over your vacant garden.

Roy

[Hedge Witch]

Great, thanks for the advice, everybody! I will continue feeding them tomorrow with renewed vigour and a clear conscience

(I love your confidence in my garden Roy )

[Kayleigh]

You started feeding so should carry on...get a compost bin I have an endless supply of worms for nothing.
Don't feed at the beginning of the season if you thing its keeping the numbers artificially high

[Hedge Witch]

Yes, you are right K. I only started feeding them more (beyond my means) when I noticed what I thought were 5, turned out to be 6, chicks. Thankfully, both parents are still living (the reason I am thankful for this is that I believe the male (I think the male, as he sings a lot in his own strange accent) came from a single parent family when the local Sparrowhawk took one of his parents). Two parents should help. They seem to be finding beakfuls of food, but 6 well, it does seem a lot.

[Elizabeth B]

Originally Posted by Hedge Witch

Two parents should help. They seem to be finding beakfuls of food, but 6 well, it does seem a lot.

One of our bluetits is incubating 12 eggs - we thought they might hatch some time this (long) weekend, but nothing's happened so far. I've laid in a stock of mini mealworms too, and hope they'll soon be needed.

Well done HW - and good luck to your robins!

[Hedge Witch]

Twelve, WOW! Thanks Elizabeth, and good luck with your brood too