Wild Birds

All about the birds, or chickens in this case!

Whether you already have chickens. Or are thinking about buying/rescuing some.,, is there anything better than fresh eggs for breakfast?!
We have a new exciting range of chicken feeders, bowls, troughs… as well as some new treats for your chickens.
Not forgetting the old favourites like layers pellets and mixed corn.

• We’ve got the new Supa Red & White Poultry Feeders and Drinkers range. Durable Plastic Poultry Drinker/Feeders with Twistlock Base fitting, Anti Scrape ring, hanging handle. Various Sizes From £3.79
• Supa Plastic or Galvanised troughs. 50cm in length with 2 different sized widths. From £5.59
• Supa Poultry Feed and Grit station £10.49
• Every Chicken keeper will need egg boxes, our are just £5.25.
• Whilst the smallholder may see their chickens essentially as a source of eggs, the new ‘suburban’ hen keeper, with a handful of bantams, sees them as much as pets as their cat or dog and would like to occasionally spoil them in the same way. Now with ‘Henny’s’ treats they can. Come and see our new range of Chicken treats from just £2.49.
• Johnsons ACV Conditioner 500ml at £5.69
• Johnsons Anti-Pek Pump Spray 100ml at £3.95
• Johnsons Poultry Antibacterial Powder 20g at £3.89
• Johnsons Poultry Corn N Grit Treat 270g at £2.89
• Johnsons Poultry Mite & Lice Powder 250g at £5.49
• Johnsons Poultry Scaly Cream 50g at £3.29
• Feathers & Beaky Free Range Chick Crumbs 4kg at £9.99
• Feathers & Beaky Free Range Chicken Easy Grow Wheatgrass 1.5kg at £4.99
• Feathers & Beaky Free Range Chicken Treat 5kg at £8.49
• Feathers & Beaky Free Range Layers Pellets from £6.99
• Supa Chick Flint Grit 1ltr £3.15
• Supa Hen Flint Grit 1ltr £2.99
• Supa Poultry Mixed Grit 1ltr £2.99
• Supa Oystershell Grit 1ltr £3.49

Some people have questioned whether feeding garden birds is a good thing to do. They argue that it artificially maintains bird populations and that the food that we provide is not part of their natural diet and is bad for them. That said both the RSPB and the British Trust for Ornithology now approve feeding birds all year round. Most people believe that feeding garden birds does more good than harm, especially during winter when nutritious food is much harder to come by.

Many small birds die of cold over the winter months. By putting out a little extra food you can really help them out and you get the added bonus of being able to enjoy watching these amazing animals close up and personal.

Some people have questioned whether feeding garden birds is a good thing to do. They argue that it artificially maintains bird populations and that the food that we provide is not part of their natural diet and is bad for them. That said both the RSPB and the British Trust for Ornithology now approve feeding birds all year round. Most people believe that feeding garden birds does more good than harm, especially during winter when nutritious food is much harder to come by.

Many small birds die of cold over the winter months. By putting out a little extra food you can really help them out and you get the added bonus of being able to enjoy watching these amazing animals close up and personal.

Top tips for feeding birds this winter:

• Don’t give too much. Amounts provided should allow for rapid turnover to reduce the chance of food becoming mouldy or contaminated.
• In cold weather good leftovers with a high fat content such as bacon rind, grated cheese, cooked rice and pasta will be beneficial.
• Don’t put out salted nuts, desiccated coconut, highly spiced food or very dry bread.
• Food that has been contaminated with droppings and saliva can be a reservoir for some diseases that affect birds so clean your bird feeder, table and bath regularly with boiling water and disinfectant.
• Always wear gloves when cleaning your feeders. Brushes and equipment used for cleaning bird feeders should not be used for other purposes and should be kept and used outside.
• Supplementary feeding can never provide all the natural proteins and vitamins that birds need so try to also include natural food sources in your garden. Why not plant a native hedgerow or a couple of fruit trees? Let your plants go to seed and don’t prune shrubs until late in winter.

Don’t forget the water!

• Make sure there is fresh water available year-round for birds that need a bath and a beverage
• Break the ice on a frozen bird bath – a light plastic ball can help to keep the surface from freezing by moving around in the wind

We all know the reasons for feeding wild birds in winter, but in summer birds will still be grateful for extra treats, as many are busy raising their young. We recommend little and often, as the birds may not eat quite as much as during the colder months.

Peanuts are suitable for birds all year.

Peanuts can be fed to birds but with caution at some times of year. They are often difficult for young birds to digest because of the size, so we suggest either breaking them into small pieces, or only using a peanut feeder, so birds just get bits out of them.  Or feed sunflower hearts and live food during the breeding season.

Peanuts are rich in fat and are popular with most garden birds. Avoid salted peanuts, as salt is toxic to birds

Bread and milk are not good for birds and hedgehogs.

Many animals are intolerant of the lactose in milk which can lead to diarrhoea, dehydration and death. It is also bad for hedgehog’s teeth. Milk is iron deficient and can cause dietary imbalance. It is also bad for garden hygiene and the spread of disease as it will readily curdle if left for any length of time.

Whilst bread won’t do birds any harm, it doesn’t offer any nutritional value either and can only act as a ‘filler.’

Fruit is good for birds

Fruit is an excellent supplementary food for many birds, particularly slightly soft apples and pears and soaked fruits. Rotten fruit isn’t as suitable – birds don’t like food that’s past its best any more than we do!

Mealworms can be fed live.

Live mealworms are readily available and are a great source of food for birds like robins, blackbirds and tits. Many people believe that they need to be chopped up and shouldn’t be fed live, but this is incorrect.