Feeding mealworms in a feeder....

[hels]

Ok so I have some birds that love mealworms, but because I usually put em on the table or ground, the smaller birds tend to lose out to the starlings and magpie. So my question is, what kind of feeder is most suitable for mealworms? I wasnt sure which one to put them in!

Thanks, Hels

[solus]

You could try one of the ground-feeder cages. They come in two sizes: one with larger "mesh" lets Blackbirds and Starlings through while the smaller size openings restrict entry to smaller birds like Dunnocks and Robins etc.

I watched a magpie puzzling over mine - I have one of the large-size mesh ones. He couldn't stick his head through the holes far enough to reach the ground feeder in the middle, wherever and however he tried - and he walked all the way round, several times! Meanwhile, the Blackbirds run in and out and the Stalrings often dive in head-first through the top.

Edit: You can buy ground feeder cages from a number of Bird Food suppliers, like CJ, Jacobi Jayne and the RSPB. About £25 but well worth the expense to keep the Magpies, Wood Pigeons and other avain 'hoovers' at bay!

[actionfinch]

Its something im looking into its a pain the pigeons scoffing all my mix i put down, let alone the squirrels.....

[hels]

I put some into a peanut feeder, just as a trial, so will see how that goes!!!

[Elizabeth B]

I use two caged feeders like these for mealworms:

Haiths Live Food Bird Feeder & Cage

[nightshade]

Originally Posted by hels

Ok so I have some birds that love mealworms, but because I usually put em on the table or ground, the smaller birds tend to lose out to the starlings and magpie. So my question is, what kind of feeder is most suitable for mealworms? I wasnt sure which one to put them in!

Thanks, Hels

I find the plastic feeders with mealworm get "wet" and smelly, especially in sunshine then they stick together.
I am still trying to make a workable live mealworm feeder.

[Tringa]

Without a cage the only way I have found to keep the bigger birds away is to be near the mealworm feeder - it gives me an excuse to sit outside.

If the feeder is close then only blue tits, great tits, robins and sometimes sparrows will come near.

Dave

[Elizabeth B]

Originally Posted by nightshade

I am still trying to make a workable live mealworm feeder.

There are detailed instructions here for making a mealworm feeder, and "care information " too.

Bird Box Diary

[actionfinch]

such a brill thing to make.. i might have a go at that sometime....i wonder if they would use it as a bird box?

[nightshade]

I have tried one like that and it is the condensation that spoils it (I am talking about live live food) I will find a way that suits me