Feeding Wildlife?

Grace93 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 03:40 PM

Should I do it?
I have made a mixed feed that I'm going to walk around and throw in hedges. I live in a rural area and animals have nothing to eat these days. Here is what is mixed in the feed.

Dry Cat Food
Dry Dog Food
Carrots
Celery
Bread
Mixed guinea pig food
Rabbit pellet food

I'm leaving now to give it out, it will also help feed the huge feral cat colony we have.

Is it a bad idea?

thebeard · #2 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 05:30 PM

unfortunately the dog and cat food isn't really a great idea, like you say it'll attract cats, but also vermin as well. bread is ok in small quantities. not sure what will eat the carrots or celery. fruit is a good idea, so see if you can put out some apples/bananas/berries etc

Grace93 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 05:35 PM

I don't mind if rats and mice eat it to be honest

As long as they aren't in my house, I don't mind them. Plus I'm hoping the foxes will get it

The celery and carrots is for the hares, we have lot's of them.

I'll put out more fruit then the next time, I forgot to add I also added a handful of dried fruit and nuts mix.

thebeard · #4 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 06:19 PM

thats good then, can't fault you at all for wanting to help the animals in this harsh time of need!

Ukwildlifeo · #5 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 06:30 PM

Feeding feral cats might not be the best thing for wildlife

Grace93 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 06:32 PM

Thanks

If anyone has any idea of anything I should add in or take out let me know

Hedgehoggy · #7 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

Feeding feral cats might not be the best thing for wildlife

On the contrary, it'll stop the ferals feeding ON the wildlife!

Grace, the Cat Action Trust should be able to help with your ferals. Cat Action Trust - Rescue, Rehoming and Welfare of Feral Cats

And well done for all you're doing to help our wildlife

willing to learn · #8 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

Feeding feral cats might not be the best thing for wildlife

Ditto,
Regards
Colin

Picidae · #9 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grace93

I'm leaving now to give it out, it will also help feed the huge feral cat colony we have.

Is it a bad idea?

Yes, not only will it make it easier for cats to hunt, as you will be attracting weak animals/birds into a more concentrated area but the food you are listing isn't ideal for the smaller birds. Berries, fruit and wild bird seed is the best thing. There will be enough bird mortalities/dying birds anyway for the feral cats and foxes to feed on and enough weak birds for Birds of Prey to feed on. Putting meat products out will only attract Birds of Prey and other predators it's the smaller species that suffer more than anything in this weather.

If you see any starving/injured feral cats, the link posted above will help you.

DRIED cat and dog food is NOT a good idea for ANY wildlife .... it will dehydrate them unless there is a fresh supply of water. With the ground frozen it is the worse thing you can put out it swells up inside the stomach too.

Ukwildlifeo · #10 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hedgehoggy

On the contrary, it'll stop the ferals feeding ON the wildlife!

Grace, the Cat Action Trust should be able to help with your ferals. Cat Action Trust - Rescue, Rehoming and Welfare of Feral Cats

And well done for all you're doing to help our wildlife

What by boosting their population?

Try telling your local reptile recorder that more feral cats are a good thing....