Fat balls question

[laura1985]

Im about to make some fat balls for the birds in my garden.. Im wondering if its ok to use stale bread in them also? I have wild bird seed and berries to put in them but to bulk them out more would it be ok to use bread?

Reason i ask is not sure if breads actually good for them or not (this is brown wholemeal) i know people throw bread out for birds but is it actually ok and good for them?
many thanks

[clarebear]

As long as it's not mouldy or there's too much of it it's fine:
The RSPB: Advice: Household scraps

[laura1985]

Thanks i shall get on and make some.Bought some last week and got a lot of different birds come to the garden.Anything else i can do to help them in this cold winter?

[Wild-Woman]

Water, fresh and ice free daily is just as important.

[clarebear]

Providing foods regularly is important and a variety if you can. Also, a source of water. There are some tips and ideas here: It's snow joke for hungry birds - Notes on nature - The RSPB Community

[Sparklebug]

Hi Laura, and welcome to wab. I just made some homemade lard cakes for the birds, and in mine I have put crushed peanuts, raisins, mealworms, sunflower seeds and, mixed seeds. They look good! Just hope the birds like them, they are quite shy around here.

[laura1985]

Thanks guys i never knew they could eat so many different things!!
I will definatly be saving leftovers and making a big effort to feed them and put water out.

I have a bird table.. but how do i give them water? Should i put it in the birdhouse in a dish?

[Elizabeth B]

Originally Posted by laura1985

I have a bird table.. but how do i give them water? Should i put it in the birdhouse in a dish?

As well as a very old fibreglass birdbath, I put a couple of large plastic plant pot saucers on the lawn, and replace the water in them every day - and at the moment, I have to remember to empty them each evening otherwise they'll be solid the next morning.

[Cowgirl]

After reading on here about feeding which type of fat for birds, can't remember the thread sorry. I've put in a call to a local butcher (who frequents hubbies local) & he is going to save me some suet next carcass delivery time (he normally discards it).

It's always worth asking, you don't get if you don't ask

As to water, I use an upturned dustbin lid which is laid tilted on the ground so they don't have to jump in if they only want a drink. I just keep tipping the ice & old water out & fill it each day.

[Elizabeth B]

I think this might be the thread - there are 59 posts in it!!!!:

Going to make my first bird cake