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Bird Question

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  • 03-03-2011 9:11pm
    #1
    Stained Class
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,808 ✭✭✭


    Hi All

    During the snows of last Winter, we took to feeding birds by throwing old scraps of bread out into the garden.

    We got used to the habit & I'm sure the birds have too!

    The thing is, is that I'm going to start planting some Veg sometime this month. Mainly container crops.

    With this in mind, is it still a good idea to keep feeding our Feathered Friends?

    Thanks in advance for any replies.:)


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    #2
    Antiquo
    Registered Users Posts: 290 ✭✭Antiquo


    Absolutely keep them coming into the garden they will soon be supplementing their diet with insects, slugs, snails, caterpillars and other pests that will if left unchecked would be eating your veggies.

    Also please don't use insecticides on your garden (you should never use them on food crops anyway) as this poison is passed onto the birds if they eat poisoned insects.

    They will repay you by removing these pests so do keep feeding and if you have any old bruised apples split them in half and they will tuck into them as well.


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    #3
    redser7
    Registered Users Posts: 2,730 ✭✭✭redser7


    Yes they are great for going after slugs and snails. Leave a flat rock around and you might even help some birds smash snails open :-)
    Just pop a bit of mesh over the top of the containers to protect the seedlings from birds for the first while. Especially if you are planting onion sets, they love to pull them up.


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    #4
    Dizzyblonde
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Politics Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,110 CMod ✭✭✭✭Dizzyblonde


    Definitely keep feeding them, soon they'll be feeding their young so they'll need lots of food.
    I put onion sets and garlic down last week and covered with a net to keep the birds off - otherwise they'd pull them up thinking they're worms.


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    #5
    fodda
    Registered Users Posts: 947 ✭✭✭fodda


    If you keep and help the birds around your home you will have the best most natural garden pest service you could possibly get.

    Just think how many insects they eat every day and what damage those insects could do to your vegetables if left untouched.


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    #6
    Stained Class
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,808 ✭✭✭Stained Class


    Thanks for the replys everyone.

    Looks like our Avian friends shall continue to dine Chez Class!:)

    Could be a good idea to install a few nesting boxes aswell!


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    #7
    Antiquo
    Registered Users Posts: 290 ✭✭Antiquo


    Stained Class wrote: »
    Thanks for the replys everyone.

    Looks like our Avian friends shall continue to dine Chez Class!:)

    Could be a good idea to install a few nesting boxes aswell!

    Good stuff. You'll find some good info and links in this thread for nest box ideas.


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    #8
    Stained Class
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,808 ✭✭✭Stained Class


    Antiquo wrote: »
    Good stuff. You'll find some good info and links in this thread for nest box ideas.

    Great thread Antiquo!

    Just spent the last hour reading it. :)


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