feed the birds
Posted By: birds need to eat on 2008-12-15
In Reply to: I am feeling very depressed this Christmas season. I feel guilty because I - Anyone else?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/His_Eye_Is_on_the_Sparrow
Complete Discussion Below:  marks the location of current message within thread
The messages you are viewing
are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select
the boards given in left menu
Other related messages found in our database
I feed birds on the lake
quite often and really enjoyed doing it. I have seen others do as well and I do not see them becoming aggressive as a result of this. I also see the geeze and ducks feeding on their own when not being fed by humans. I have deer in my neighborhood and as much as I would love to feed, know this is not a good idea and should not so I don’t. I think that other mother is a total jerk for her reaction, though.
I feed the 6 of us
with about 120/wk. We eat ham & beans, pasta, eggs for dinner, and different casseroles. I always make my dinner list for the week, and plan my shopping from there. It helps me to stay on budget, and not impulse shop. I stay stocked up on personal items (like tp, deodorant, shampoo, etc) by catching them on sale or getting one item each week. I don't let the kids snack alot because that adds up.
birds
Your Goffin found a perfect home! That's EXACTLY what they want and need!!
I had a pink Mollucan (like a Goffin but bigger) who was my "baby" and she too had to be held all the time with her head resting on my chest or she'd scream so loud you could hear her houses down the block from me. Sometimes only the hard of hearing can find them to be acceptable pets because of this but they are SO affectionate!!! They are said to have the intelligence and demanding nature of a toddler. Your former Macaw comes in at around a 5- to 7-year-old. Greys are rated at 9 years old intelligence-wise but I disagree and think Macaws and Greys rate higher based on owning many and seeing what they can do. I've bred/owned many kinds of birds for many years. If you want a small parrot who just pretty much sits and thinks and keeps quiet but is company, get an Eclectus. They are affectionate but quiet and pretty much trouble free, not obsessed with curiosity like a Grey! Pionus are good too.
Just watch whatever you use around the house that has an odor or scent. Birds can die in a matter of minutes before you realize what is happening. Reptiles react too so be careful with them. And never use Lysol around a rabbit, especially to clean the cage.
Feel free to e-mail me if I can ever be of any help. I'm posting this here in case others watching this thread have birds, use candles and self-cleaning ovens and Teflon, especially this time of the year.
birds
I am originally from NY/NJ and am fairly new to NC but last week saw a whole bunch of robins in the yard. I thought it was early for them. Then, we had snow. Does anyone know what is going on? Also, have what I think is a hawk that I see all the time on the roof top across the street. He has a tail with strips. I think it is a hawk. Amazing..
You might feed the cat up on the counter.
That's what my sister does. Otherwise you could use a baby gate. I used to lean a baby gate in a doorway. The angle left an opening for the cat, but the dogs were afraid of tipping the baby gate.
You are buying great food though.
Hummingbird feed
God bless you guys with a green thumb. I CAN grow plants but just don't have the time to get out there and do it. No excuse either, I have no children. Guess I'm just not garden oriented. MIL lived here before so she planted beautiful flowers that are still flourishing, but I end up making my own mix for the hummingbirds. Ours will not touch the red store bought feed.
We use red feeders with the yellow flowers, preferrably with a roosting or resting stem. Ours like to sit a while, while some flutter around. I mix 1 cup sugar with 3 cups water. You can bring this to boil and let cool or you can heat 1 cup in microwave, add sugar and stir to melt and then add 2 cups of icewater (including the cubes). Always 3:1 though. If I alter this they won't eat. I make sure to wash and change feed every 3 days, if it happens to last that long. Mine feed mainly in the early morning and late evening but they will eat throughout the day. They are all over this stuff. The other day one stopped about a foot in front of my husbands face just looking like...where are you going with that? There will be up to 15 at a time fluttering around we have definitely seen more. These are some friendly little birds we have. You can hold the feeders out at arms length and they will come and eat. We have actually filled our mouth with the sugar water before and held a plastic flower and they will come and feed.
they should force feed the
troll....If you or I, we would spend more than 3 days there.
I usually try the feed store first,
they used to carry something called yellow marlin, but I warn you, it is highly poisonous, a consideration if you have young ones about or curious animals inside. They carry a small jug like contraption you put water in to draw wasps and they can't get out, but I don't know about fruit flies or gnats. Good luck.
Help feed the kitties too! sm
http://www.freekibblekat.com/
Birds of a feather....
well you get the idea. I just saw a picture of them in my weekly dirt magazines so guess they are still hanging out.
Cats eat birds.
I no longer put feeders anywhere near my yard but I'm not going to punish my cat for eating a bird.
Watching birds
That is so cool. I know there are lots of beautiful birds around here (N FL), including woodpeckers (have pecked trees to prove it lol), but I never thought to actually watch and document them.
The other night around 1 a.m. I was walking my dogs and there were probably 4 or 5 owls (I counted 4 for sure) situated within may a 100-yard radius. They kept 'talking' to each other. Each would repeat the previous 'chant.' It was really interesting to listen to them. They really had a rhythm goin'!
My son's GF said she saw a hawk on the fence a couple days ago. Wish I could have seen that!
But... shameless confession... my favorite bird is the vulture. They are magnificent... I know many people don't like them because of what they do for a livelihood, but I love them.
Anyhow... happy bird-watching. And thanks for sparking a potential hobby over here :-)
Complaints about birds sm
Have one of those neighbors who complains about everything, dogs, cats, and birds. I have a few feeders, do not feed from the ground, etc. Anyway, even in this cold northeast weather, I can hear the birds chirping away. I tell my husband they are saying "thanks for keeping up the feeding," as many must be totally confused with the on-off weather we had this winter. Week after Christmas it was near 70 one day. I love the cardinals and we have one what we call "crazy bird" who loves to make noise in the dark. I will not stop feeding my feathered friends, use squirrel-proof feeders but find some, along with cats, will sit under the feeders just hoping to get themselves a bird who happens to be within reach. Haven't seen a "capture" yet. How can people complain about birds? Geez, I love to hear them sing and I love it in the summer when they keep the bugs off my flowers. I guess I'm just venting. I don't understand how people can hate animals, birds included. BTW I have 3 feeders, one back, front and side, not an over-abundance.They say they like to keep pristine cars and property. In my mind, they may as well be dead.
Because wild birds are not usually fed
grain that has been tampered with by man and has all kinds of questionable additives, and even usually contains dead chicken waste. I grew up in the poultry capital of the US and it's a wonder I even still eat chicken!
You are ignorant about feed lots.
There are many large feed lots for horses that are fattened up and then sent to one of the 3 big slaughter houses in Texas to be sent off to Belgium, Japan, etc, in the form of steaks. I have myself rescued riding horses from auction by outbidding the killer buyers. There are bills pending that will outlaw this terrible thing, but the administration of Bush is against the bill and is supportive of the horse slaughter trade. I have known individuals over the years, being a horse owner and lover, that would buy horses and then fatten them up and resell them to kill buyers or to the slaughter house themselves. Many of these were horses that weren't fast enough on the track to make money, and also good riding horses, they were just worth more as meat. Go to any horse auction and you will see good horses going for slaughter just because that is who is the highest bidder. It is a heartbreaking experience.
I do feed the squirrels a mix with peanuts
and seeds and sprinkle it on the ground. Unfortunately they bury the peanuts instead of eating them. I've had as many as 20 squirrels in my yard before when I spread food out on the ground for them. They're pigs and it's quite ridiculous, but yes, I do put food on the ground and in a plastic bowl in an attempt to get them to stay on the ground. They have broken 2 nice feeders already, and for those reasons, many people like to keep them off the feeders.
What kind of food to you feed him?
Is it a high quality food? Sometimes supplements such as Missing Link or Nupro can help control skin odor.
How often do you give him a bath, and what kind of shampoo do you use. And do you rinse and rinse and rinse?
He could have a skin infection which might require oral antibiotics.
What kind of dog is he and what's his age?
I, too, would make a vet appointment to be on the safe side.
Feed DD supper before DH comes home so you can
x
I feel the same - I feed the squirrels too
they are fun to watch. Clever little devils. I have a peanut feeder with a lid on and they lift the lid up and take out the peanuts. I have a pair of crows that come to eat too. I have my own little wildlife sanctuary. Now my neighbors probably aren't too happy, they're not animal people. The guy across the street puts out those poison peanuts - so mean.
I do believe it's illegal to feed the deer in PA
because of the harm it causes (see other postings). Your neighbor might get in some serious trouble for doing this. My father and uncles were deer hunters and every year would put salt licks out for them, but about 30 years ago, they stopped. I really don't know the reason, but I would seriously do some checking on this.
You could tell your neighbor that she's making it easier on the hunters as they will start trusting humans and think that they (hunters) are coming to feed them. If that doesn't get her to stop, then show some printed material on the laws. DH isn't hunting this year or I would look it up in the manual he used to get.
Yes, indeed, it is illegal to feed deer in PA.
It's never a good idea to feed them, anywhere. I was just reading an article about this. When deer are fed, they tend to concentrate where the food is being left for them. The local population of deer increases, the food left out for them is not enough to support all of the deer, and so many of them starve. It's actually counter-productive. Deer adapt to the winter weather. They spread out in their environment. Their metabolism slows. They move less and eat less. Some die over the winter, of course. It is nature, after all. But feeding them is not good for them. Your animal loving neighbor is actually hurting the deer.
I'll feed your animals before I'd even
offer her a Kleenex to wipe a kid's nose!
Why should she offer to feed the twit? - sm
he was violating a restraining order, I certainly would not make him feel at home. She did the right thing calling the cops. He mouthed off because he was mad at her and wanted to cause trouble.
As for CPS, clean the house, why you still have his lousy magazines there is beyond me if kicked him out. Get rid of all the clutter for sure. Obviously be straightforward with the inspector. I highly doubt from your story that you are in imminent danger of losing your kids. Just be truthful and explain the whole situation, CPS has seen it all and can quickly figure out who the good and bad parents are.
You don't offer to feed someone you have a restraining
x
Snakes mean one thing to birds......
xx
Speaking of cats getting birds...sm
We have 2 feral cats that we feed (they've been trapped, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, then released, as the feral cat groups advise). They're actually very tame with us now. We've named them Isabelle and Nigel.
We have a covered patio area, almost entirely enclosed, where we feed them and have beds for them, so our dogs can't get to them (we call it the *cat house* LOL).
About a month ago, we went out to feed the cats at night, as usual, when what should fly into the cat house but a baby/young bird! It caught Isabelle's eye *immediately* (Nigel didn't seem to notice/care) but it was up high and she didn't move towards it. She seemed to be more focused on my husband as he prepared her food. I thought about trying to shoo the bird away with a broom, but I didn't want to startle it and send it right towards the cats.
Well, next thing you know, the baby bird decides it's time to fly away. As soon as it did, Isabelle took off after it at warp speed. It was amazing, really. She was up and over the fence after it in the blink of an eye. We stood there in shock, thinking there's *no way* she could have caught it. She was too far away from it when it took off. But then a few seconds later she jumped over the fence back into the cat house with it in her mouth, already dead.
Poor little thing. I wonder whatever possessed it to come in the cat house with 2 humans and 2 cats, at night. So sad, but that's the circle of life, I guess. ;o(
You were surprised she got it? A cat's instincts for birds, especially, are sm
great. They keep their eyes on it and it's over. Especially a young one. So sad. I hate the circle of life. All of our goats were attacked and killed by neighborhood dogs a few weeks ago and people are telling me, "Oh well, that's what dogs do!" I wanted to slap them.
Not nice to insult birds like that. nm
!
Birds and Mother Nature sm
The birds tell us a lot. The morning of the Great Blizzard of ྊ I could not hear myself think for the noise of the birds everywhere. I live in the NE, I had a feeling they were trying to tell us something. I packed up everything I had that day and left for home and stocked up. I was not able to get out for the whole next week and my husband could not get home. I was fully prepared, but did not know for what. They do warn us! Lots of acorns here this year as well which means it is supposed to be a bad winter. The same thing happened in 1978 with the acorns. We shall see!!
I have been noticing birds at night
also. I did find out some owls don't sound like owls at all, so that might be one explanation, but it is very strange to be walking the dogs and having birds calling out. Or being in the house and coming outside at midnight to see why birds are squawking.
Used to have one at Wild Birds Unlimited
think there is a web site - that was mirrored on the other side. It has been a while but they had one at their store where I shopped and the goldfinches were right there outside the window totally oblivious.
Fun, huh? I love watching the birds
and I have my desk set up by the picture window so I can watch them and the squirrels, too. I have a pair of red-breasted nuthatches that are regular visitors to my back yard. They are new here this year and they are just adorable. We also have a few Cooper hawks that cause trouble from time to time. My favorite bird is a Carolina wren. The bird I would like to see most is a pileated woodpecker. Do you have a back yard list or just a life list? I only have the back yard list.
The Birds by Alfred Hitchcock.
x
I don't feed sea gulls. It's generally a bad idea.
It's not a good idea to interfere with the feeding habits of any wild animal, and they are wild. They may be very accustomed to having human food, but it's still not right to feed them. The birds do become accustomed to humans as their source of food, and that will encourage them to fly too close to humans. Then, they'll become a nuisance. Do check for signs or other information in the area about feeding the wildlife. I know that in my area, more and more signs are being posted.
That being said, it's also not right for someone to use such language, especially in front of children, or for anyone to throw sand at you. So, I think the other woman's reaction was out of line.
Next time you go to the beach, bring sand toys and leave the bird food at home.
Small birds keep nesting in my ferns on the
xx
Have seen lots of birds do this with those fake bird-like
sdf
Just something so soothing about watching birds. BTW, one of my cats
defintely knows there is a new bird in the house. Don't worry, it is impossible for him to get to them. Still working on a name, my daughter went to the site suggested above and has a list for me.
My kitty has her own video, with birds, squirrels, etc. - sm
She gets a real kick out of it, especially the moths and the chipmunks. She always trys to reach out and grab the chipmunk!
Now that it's summer, though, I've got bird seed and hummingbird feeders outside the window, so she can watch the REAL THING all day long.
global warming...I'm in S. Florida and birds
this is NOT normal......been in Florida 30 years and never heard birds in the middle of the night unless one is in the Everglades....and I'm not located there.
Been going on for almost a year.........it's very bizarre to me.
I'm in SoFla, but have my air conditioner on to sleep. Birds
xx
The birds in my yard need body guards
I have a few birdfeeders out in front of my office window for something to enjoy while I'm working. The squirrels come and the birds visit. Lately there has been a hawk (for lack of knowledge I'll just call it a hawk, it's some kind of big predator), swooping through and picking off birds right off the feeders, and now it has even tried to fly off with the squirrels. He sits up in my trees and waits to attack. Now I fully know this is the way of nature and he needs to eat to, but does he have to do it while I'm watching. Is there anything I can do to get rid of him (keep him away, not kill him or anything)?
things that kill birds and their care
You have to be careful what is in the candles. I don't burn them with birds around. Self-cleaning ovens will also immediately kill birds, as will a Teflon-coated pan that overheats. Also be careful with home permanent solutions, room deodorizers, and DO NOT USE FEBREZE (yes, I am shouting because so many people use this and it is a KILLER for birds). Just be careful with any of these types of things. Birds are ultra sensative to inhalants. Better not to use them at all.
Regarding the eggs, if you remove them she will just lay more before she's had a proper rest and that will deplete her of calcium. While she's sitting on her eggs, her body is rebuiding for the next clutch. Try to find things that resemble the eggs in size and color, like marbles, beads, etc. Put them in place of the eggs. Don't let her see you doing this. Warm them in your hands first (NOT HOT) and sneak them in one at a time when she's not looking. She should sit on them and you can pitch the eggs. But let her sit until SHE abandons them so that she maintains proper calcium.
Also, if the eggs aren't fertile, there is no problem in letting her sit on them. Take them out and hold them up to a light, like a light bulb or a flashlight, and look into the egg. If you see red lines or a solid dark mass, you've got babies. If you see just space and yolk, you've got a dud. She can sit on duds and get her rest and you won't have to worry about babies. Not all eggs are duds, though. You have to look at each one. Date them lightly in PENCIL and then you can tell when you last looked and keep checking until you're sure they are duds.
Keep plenty of cuttlebone around for her calcium and sprinkle baby bird handfeeding formula on her food to give her extra supplements for the egg laying whether duds or not. It's good for her. Even if you don't want babies, her body needs to be replenished with this stuff to keep her healthy. This is a good treat anytime for a bird.
I'm sorry to hear about your experience with babies before. Many times the youngest die in the next because the larger ones get on top of them and they don't get the food. Finches are tricky. I'm crazy about them but they do need careful watching. Parrots are SO much easier to raise!!! Guess you don't want to suggest that to your kids, though LOL!!!
Feel free to e-mail if you have questions!
wrong - God gave you breasts to feed your babies
I believe God gave women breasts to feed their young and did NOT give us breasts for *sexual pleasure* regardless that we get sexual pleasure from them.
The reality is that God gave women breasts to breast-feed........not just for poor people in 3rd world countries. I breastfed mine until they were 6 months old..........it's an individual thing but I went by the teeth thingy - once teeth are in, time to start weaning.
Paper feed problems here, too. I thought it was just mine,,,,
x
Feed in separate rooms, leave in with food for 1/2hr.
x
Help feed hungry dogs! I saw this young girl SM
last weekend on the Today Show. SInce she was tiny she has loved animals. Just click and answer the question and each time someone visits this site a donation of 20 pieces of Kibble is made. Doesn't matter if your answer to the question is correct or not. I do it every day. They allow one hit a day per person. Just takes a few seconds and does so much. 
http://www.freekibble.com
go to the site, click the purple tab to help feed animals.
nm
Love birds, too, but once you get hit on the head or in your eye with a plop of poop,
s
I feel like I am in an Alfred Hitchcock movie, The Birds.
I am sitting here at home, at my desk, and a bunch of black birds are flying past my window. When I got up to look out my window, and my front entire front lawn and side lawn are covered with black birds. Glad I am not in a phone booth. Very strange to have so many of them in one place. Guess they are getting ready to go south for the winter, but today it feels like a muggy summer day, 70 degrees at 9 a.m. in northern NJ.
freerice.com tests your vocabulary and helps feed the hungry sm
if you are a mom there is cafemom.com with a huge variety, if you are diet-conscious there is threefatchicks.com. You can advertise on craigslist for a platonic e-pal or chat buddy.
Larege amount of horses at packing plants/feed lots
coincidentally happen to be TBs. They are a huge throw-away market. Once they are done racing, unless they are one of the incredibly lucky few to be adopted out to knowledgable homes for other careers or are of breeding quality, they usually don't wind up in too good of a place afterwards. I'm a nobody, and I've had 3 of these throw-aways land in my lap. Yes, there are some responsible owners/breeders who ensure these animals are taken care of for the rest of their days, racing career or not, then there are an awful lot of others who see them as the cash crops they are and nothing more.
|
