Fat balls for Birds

[Pudcat]

I read recently in a RSPB publication that it is unwise to buy Fat Balls enclosed in RED nets for birds but to try to always purchase those in Green nets or other colours.. Is this because they are third rate nuts or because Birds are just frightened of the colour Red?

[MrsJo49155]

Not sure about the green / red colour netting issue but this was found on a RSPB site : "Peanuts and fat balls are regularly sold in nylon mesh bags. Never put out any food in mesh bags. These may trap birds' feet and even cause broken or torn off feet and legs. Birds with a barbed tongue, eg woodpeckers, can become trapped by their beaks. " So perhaps we should just buy the fat balls and take them out of the net altogether!

[logman]

I've been using fat balls in the green bags for many years without any problems, but i always put them in the wire mesh (fatball holders) and the birds hang onto that and peck through the wire.

I think what can be a problem with tangling is when people use types of net bags that are not intended for bird feeding ie the ones used for packing oranges, nuts, onions etc, i imagine birds could easily become tangled in these as they are of a finer weave and different material..

[smudge]

We always discard the netting first, then place the fat balls into the containers we have for them.

[lankeela]

Birds are actually more attracted to red nets, as it is like the red berries on a tree, whereas the green netting blends in with the greenery.

The best thing is to put the fat balls in a proper wire feeder.

As for nuts in nets, these should be put in a wire feeder too. Now that spring is on its way (!) make sure you feed ALL nuts from a feeder, so the birds cannot take whole nuts to feed their babies. They have to break bits off to feed them and they won't choke as they could with whole nuts.

[Breezy23]

I feed the birds in my garden regularly and have always bought the fat balls in netting to supplement the food when I go away. Was devastated to be told by my neighbour who feeds my cats and tops up bird table and seed holders that he spotted what appeared to be a bird's foot and leg in one of the fat ball netting. I took a look and yes there was a foot all caught up and the poor bird had obviously wrenched so much he finally got away minus his leg and foot. I now never leave the balls in the netting. It looked like it belonged to a starling and lo and behold we had a one legged starling visit our garden for the season so guess he made it after all but I still feel incredibly guilty.

[Pudcat]

Thank you all for repling to my question.

I think we all seem to agree that the bast method is not put the fat balls and nut in nets but to take themout and put them in wire cages.

I feel very sorry for Breezy who feels guilty about making a starling lose it's leg but Iam sure we all feel that he was not to blame in any way and in a way he has made us all wiser by informing us that such a risk is possible and to ensure that we do not allow this to happen in our gardens.

Regards Pudcat