Tell me about bird feeders (Katy, Premont: buying, live in, price)

[Over]

I'm thinking of buying a bird feeder to put in my backyard. I live in Katy. Will it see any action?

[tdhg566]

You're thinking that maybe there are no birds in Katy?

[cheryjohns]

Yes, it will - probably too much. Include a hummingbird feeder.

[SLoriginal'71]

Bird feeders provide great entertainment when you start having birds use it! Depending on your location and surrounding area will determine how quickly or how long it takes for birds to find your feeder. Don't get discouraged if it takes a while because the birds will eventually discover it. Then they will tell their friends! If it takes a while for the birds to find it, then you need to make sure you change out the food once a week or more often if it is raining. It will go rancid very quickly and make birds sick. Once you have birds coming then they will eat it very quickly and you shouldn't have to clean it out very often. Also make sure your feeder has good drainage holes. Some of the cedar ones have no holes and the feed stays too wet and doesn't dry out before it clumps and goes bad. Drill small holes in those type of feeders. Hope this info helps. Have fun bird watching!

[Over]

Originally Posted by tdhg566

You're thinking that maybe there are no birds in Katy?

Thats a good one

Originally Posted by SLoriginal'71

Hope this info helps. Have fun bird watching!

Thanx SLoriginal'71!

[Premont]

It will see a lot of action. The squirrels love it too. I had to stop with mine because my cats saw it as a bird trap.

[Trudysmom]

Yes, bird feeders are great and hummingbird feeders also, as Cheryjohns said. Also, a birdbath and good bushes and trees for the birds.

[tdhg566]

Originally Posted by Premont

...The squirrels love it too...

I bought my parents a Yankee bird feeder (link below) some years ago to eliminate their squirrel problem. It's hugely entertaining to watch the squirrels being spun off the ring. Highly recommended.

Droll Yankees

[Svensk08]

You might contact the local Audubon Society for their recommendations on bird feeders for this area. Not all birds are seed eaters and those that are frequently prefer only a few types of seed. Often, seed mixtures packaged in other parts of the country have little appeal for birds of the Texas Gulf Coast region.

One sad aspect of having bird feeders is that people find them very entertaining "toys" at first, until the newness wears off. Then they forget to fill them, or they find the seeds too expensive to buy regularly, or they're out of town a great deal, and so on. Birds that have learned to depend on our feeders as a primary food source can have a hard time surviving if that food is no longer available, especially in winter.

[SLoriginal'71]

Originally Posted by Svensk08

One sad aspect of having bird feeders is that people find them very entertaining "toys" at first, until the newness wears off. Then they forget to fill them, or they find the seeds too expensive to buy regularly, or they're out of town a great deal, and so on. Birds that have learned to depend on our feeders as a primary food source can have a hard time surviving if that food is no longer available, especially in winter.

Yes, you are very correct in what you said. Bird food can be very expensive if you aren't aware of your options. I buy a 20 lb bag of a nice "mix" of birdseed that has peanuts, black sunflower seeds, cherries and many types of seeds....for roughly 12.00. I also buy a 50 lb bag of chopped corn for 8.00. I mix it about 40% of the "mix" birdfood with 60% of the chopped corn. This has been a good blend for me and has also made it much more affordable. You can also buy 50lb bags of henscratch for around 8.00 and mix with chopped corn. I get it all at the feedstore. I think that petsmart is overpriced. Lowes actually has some reasonable deals on bird food. Definitely buy in bulk!Once you have birds coming you will quickly go through food!