feeding station

snapharry · #1 (**permalink**) 24-12-2011, 02:17 PM

hi my wife wants to feed the birds in the garden we dont have a great deal off spare cash so im looking at making are own feeding station has anyone got any plans/drawings i could have please and also what food can we put on it thanks very much

RaptorMan101 · #2 (**permalink**) 24-12-2011, 02:31 PM

Hi, sorry to say I haven't got any plans for a bird table but I am certain someone on here will have!

In relation to your question about what to feed when on a budget I would recommend a wild bird seed mix from a local supermarket. I know tesco and asda do packs of wild bird seed which will attract many different species (depending on what's in your area) will bird seed can be bought at just over £1 a kilo but if you bought in bulk then it can be much cheaper!
Also poundland do have certain bird foods as well, last time I checked 8 fat balls was £1 (obviously

and they also sold a small bag of sunflower seeds which will attract finches and tits plus many other species!

Fat balls are always a good option in winter and can be bought at below 20p per ball at the right pet shop or local store. (they may come in a light green mesh, make sure you remove the mesh as birds can get tangled in them!

And quickly if you have any spare fruit (apples, pears etc) the birds will enjoy these on the table or on the floor around it!

Just a few ideas

AfternoonLemon · #3 (**permalink**) 24-12-2011, 03:08 PM

As mentioned - excess fruit isn't going to cost you anything extra, even apple cores are worth putting out for the Blackbirds. Also soaked sultanas and raisins are relatively cheap, again mainly Blackbirds, and Starlings will take these.

It also really depends which birds are in your area, and how exposed your garden is etc. If you haven't got much in the way of shrubs or trees for close cover, the smaller birds are less likely to chance it.

And of course - a dish of water is a must!

rossy · #4 (**permalink**) 24-12-2011, 03:55 PM

fat balls 50p for 6 . and seeds 79p. suet pellets 1.39p. all at bms. if you throw out bread always soak it first, nuts, raisins, bacon rind, biscuits, fruit, grated cheese .any left overs will be taken care of at this time of the year, but choose where you place it carefully. as predators will ambush.

rossy.

Kayleigh · #5 (**permalink**) 24-12-2011, 04:18 PM

We made a bird table from a fence post we had in the garden then used an old broken top of the bird table to put on the top.
If you have a tree hang a few feeders from them, my local garden centre sells them for about £4 each and the bottom pulls off for easy cleaning.
Don't go to Tecso for seeds they are expensive shop around in local garden centres or pet shops they tend to be cheaper.

Hedera · #6 (**permalink**) 24-12-2011, 04:35 PM

Skins of baked potatoes and bits of leftover mashed ones go down well too. especially if buttered. You can make your own fat balls if you have a friendly butcher who will give you fat trimmings: cook them down and add stale crust crumbs, bits of cheese and some seed, porridge oats, nuts etc. Set in a cup or plastic container. Don't use bacon rinds or salty food though.

Madmills · #7 (**permalink**) 27-12-2011, 10:48 AM

If you have shrubs and small trees in the garden hang feeders from them - this way the birds will have the cover they need whenever predators are around.