Depending on your location and time of year a variety of birds will fill your garden. Watching them is both fun and interesting and to attract special types you can use a variety of different specialty feeders and food mixes.
Most feeders that hold seed can be used to distribute a number of different food types. Although most birds will eat any feed that you put out for them.
You should also remember that Bird feeders will provide food for other animals. Rabbits, chipmunks and small animals will eat food that is spilled on the ground under your feeder and squirrels will tend to find their way into any feeder that you buy. If you are lucky to have these animals in your area you may want to setup special feeding for them that way they will limit their attacks on your bird feeders. These guys get hungry too in winter spreading the love just brings more animals to enjoy.
Tray Feeders
Tray type feeders are the most simple to use. Simply place a tray on a stable wall or on the ground and place seed in it. Using a Tray will mean the seed stays clean and you can easily wash and remove the shells of the food. If you live in an area where the snow gets deep you can place the tray feeder on a poll or post. Locating it near water is also a good idea.
Hopper Feeders
Hopper storage feeders allow you to put out a quantity of food that will last over a few days.
Some hopper feeders have special ledges that birds can land on to open the feeder trap and allow access. You can adjust this to your liking and it may limit squirrel access to the food.
Tube Feeders
Tube Feeders are pretty much the same as Hopper feeder in the sense that the allow you to put out more food then will be eaten right away.
Tube feeders may have a number of holes that allow access and birds will sit on a perch to get at the food. They are often used for attracting smaller birds and a specific seed should be used for this reason.
Suit and Specialty Feeders
Some birds enjoy eating suit and a metal holder with large screen opening can be used to hold the suit while it is eaten.
Humming birds enjoy liquid nectar and use of this type of feeder is for the Summer and warmer months if you live in a Northern area. The feeder is usually a glass or plastic container that holds the liquid sugar or nectar solution and it will require refilling and cleaning often.
Installing Your Feeders
You should always follow the manufacturers recommendations for installing a bird feeder and adjusting its distribution of feed. Securing the feeder well will mean that it will not become damaged.
Locate your feeder in a place that you have easy access to. Although it may be nicer to have it in front of your sliding glass door if you can not get to it easy when it is snowing or bad weather then you will be less likely to fill it.
Some people that hang feeders from tree branches will use a steel wire cable that can be used to lower the feeder for filling. You may want to try a nylon cord but most squirrels will chew through soft materials in a matter of minutes.
Final Note
If all else fails just give up and place your feed or toasted bread crumbs or even cookies that didn’t come out right when you baked them on a patio wall or stone or a piece of plywood or throw it on the ground.
Birds will find the gifts you are giving them and they are not picky eaters. In the cold winter when everything is covered with snow you can believe any treat you have to give them will be thankfully accepted.
The YouRepair Store has a full line of Bird Feeders and Feed.
Look for Discounts and Free Shipping on most orders over $25
Squirrel-Proof (be nice feed them too!)