Garden Birds’ Favourite Peanuts: A Guide to Feeding Success
Best Peanuts for Birds | Safe Bird Food
Are peanuts good for wild birds? Peanuts for birds are safe and nutritious with high protein and fat to help them survive winter and breeding season. In this post we will go into the benefits of feeding peanuts to birds, suitable bird species, types of peanuts and how to feed them safely.
Summary
Peanuts are a good quality food source for wild birds, during winter and breeding season.
Different bird species like whole or split peanuts, and it’s important to offer premium, aflatoxin tested peanuts for their health.
Using the right feeders and a clean feeding area is crucial to prevent choking hazards and reduce disease in garden birds.
Why Peanuts Are Good for Wild Birds
Peanuts are a nutritionally dense, energy rich food source for wild birds, especially in winter. High protein in peanuts helps in muscle development and overall health, keeping birds active and healthy all year round. The fat in peanuts is a concentrated energy boost to keep body heat and energy levels up in colder periods.
Including peanuts in your bird feeding will boost the nutritional value of the food and support wild bird populations, so it’s no wonder peanuts are a favourite among bird enthusiasts who want to offer top quality bird food.
Nutritional Information
Peanuts have the right mix of calories, protein and fat, they are a great food source for birds. High protein for muscle development and repair which is important during breeding season and for young birds. Fat in peanuts is a concentrated energy boost to keep body heat and energy up during the colder months.
Providing peanuts all year round will give steady nutrition to adult birds and their young during breeding season. This steady supply of top quality nutrition will keep birds healthy all year.
Suitable Bird Species
Many bird species like peanuts, so they are great for attracting a variety of birds to your garden. Species like blackbirds, robins, song thrushes, dunnocks, chaffinches, collared doves, tits, finches, siskins, sparrows, corvids and pigeons are often seen eating peanuts. They love the taste and benefit from the nutrition.
Birds like whole or split peanuts. Larger birds like crows, jays, magpies and jackdaws prefer whole peanuts because of their size and strength. Smaller soft bill birds like robins and blackbirds prefer chopped or split peanuts as they are easier for them to manage.
Types of Peanuts for Birds
Peanuts come in different forms to suit different bird species. Whole peanuts, split peanuts and kibbled peanuts can serve different purposes. Knowing these options will help you provide the best nutrition and feeding experience for your garden birds.
Good quality is important when choosing peanuts for birds. Choosing premium peanuts that are free from harmful substances will keep your visitors safe and healthy. Ensure your peanuts have been tested for Alfatoxin, which can be common within cheaper produce that has not been processed and stored correctly.
Salted Peanuts
Salted peanuts are a health risk to birds due to high sodium content. Excess salt can cause serious health problems including hypertension and even death in birds. So don’t offer salted peanuts to your garden visitors, and buy peanuts designed for birds.
Go for unsalted peanuts or other bird friendly nuts and seeds instead. This way birds get the nutrition without the salt side effects. Choosing safer options will keep the wild birds that visit your garden healthy and happy.
Premium Peanuts
Going for high quality, aflatoxin tested wild bird peanuts will keep wild birds safe and healthy. Aflatoxins are toxic substances produced by mould on peanuts that can be harmful to birds if ingested. Always choose premium peanuts that have been tested.
High quality peanuts and sunflower seeds will give nutrition while keeping birds away from toxins. Investing in premium peanuts is good for the birds in your garden so it’s a worthwhile choice for any bird lover.
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How to Feed Peanuts to Garden Birds
Feeding peanuts to garden birds requires some thought to keep them safe and happy. Feeders designed for peanuts will prevent choking and keep the food clean and dry. Rigid mesh feeders are ideal for whole peanuts.
Year round feeding and keeping squirrels out is important to maintain a healthy feeding environment. Placing feeders strategically and cleaning them consistently will attract more birds and keep them safe.
Using Feeders
Rigid mesh feeders are essential during breeding season to prevent young birds from choking on peanut fragments. These feeders will only allow small pieces to get through, reducing the risk of choking for nestlings.
Squirrel proof feeders will help keep your bird peanuts away from squirrels. Hang feeders at least 5 feet off the ground and 7 feet away from vertical objects to deter squirrels.
Feeding During Breeding Season
Feeding birds during breeding season supports nesting and the health of the hatchlings. Rigid mesh feeders will prevent young birds from choking on peanuts and keep the feeding area safe.
Consistent feeding during breeding season will give parent birds a food source to feed their chicks. This is crucial for raising young birds successfully.
Year Round Feeding
Year round peanut feeding will support the ongoing nutritional needs of wild birds. This is especially important during colder months when natural food sources are scarce and birds need high energy food.
Good quality feeders that are robust and keep food dry will prevent spoilage and ensure birds always have access to fresh peanuts.
Keeping Squirrels Out
Squirrels can be a problem when feeding garden birds. Invest in squirrel proof feeders with mesh cages or weight sensitive perches to keep squirrels out of the peanuts. These feeders will allow small birds to feed while keeping larger animals out.
Baffles, dome shaped barriers, can also stop squirrels from climbing or jumping onto the feeders. Bird friendly spicy coatings on peanuts like cayenne pepper will deter squirrels but not the birds.
Common Concerns and Safety Tips
Feeding peanuts to birds has concerns like choking hazards and disease spread. Feeders that allow controlled portions will ensure birds can nibble safely without choking. Rigid mesh feeders will prevent birds from getting to large pieces that can be harmful.
Clean your feeders regularly and remove uneaten peanuts to keep the feeding area safe. This will prevent disease spread and keep the area clean and hygienic. Also encourage the birds to eat peanuts.
Cleaning Up Leftovers
Leftover peanuts left unattended will attract unwanted wildlife like rats to your feeding area. Cleaning up leftovers is essential to keep the area safe for the birds.
A clean feeding space will keep pests away and the birds in your garden will be feeding in a safe and healthy environment.
Storage Tips
Storing peanuts properly is key to keeping them fresh and mould free. Store peanuts in a cool dry place to keep them fresh. Airtight containers will keep peanuts dry and pest free.
Check stored peanuts regularly for spoilage and replace any food birds won’t eat to ensure you always have fresh and safe bird food.
Conclusion
Feeding peanuts to wild birds is a great way to support their health and enjoy them in your garden. By understanding the nutritional benefits, choosing the right type of peanuts and following safe feeding practices you can create a bird friendly environment. Remember to use high quality, aflatoxin tested peanuts and clean feeders to keep your feathered visitors safe.
We hope you enjoyed this guide and will start feeding peanuts to your birds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I feed salted peanuts to birds?
- Answer: No, feeding salted peanuts to birds is not recommended as they are high in sodium and can cause health problems and even be fatal. Offer plain unsalted peanuts instead.
What birds eat peanuts?
- Answer: Many bird species like blackbirds, robins, finches and corvids will eat peanuts. Feeding peanuts will attract a variety of birds to your feeder.
How do I store peanuts for birds?
- Answer: To keep fresh and mould/pest free store peanuts for birds in airtight containers in a cool dry place. This will keep them fresh for longer.
How do I feed peanuts to birds during breeding season?
- Answer: Feed peanuts to birds during breeding season using rigid mesh feeders, this will prevent young birds from choking on peanut fragments and provide a steady food supply for parent birds to feed their chicks. This will keep the young birds safe.
How do I keep squirrels off my bird feeders?
- Answer: To keep squirrels off your bird feeders use squirrel proof feeders, baffles and bird friendly spicy coatings like cayenne pepper. Do this and your bird food will be squirrel proof.
