Bird food
Want to know more about bird food?
What are all these seeds with which I'm feeding my bird? What kind of food is good for it?
If you are asking yourself these questions, please read the following material:
First of all the bird food depends on the species, different birds prefer different kind of food, Whether the birds are wild or domestic... Mainly there are two kinds of bird food: natural and commercial:
Natural:
Seed
Black sunflower seeds are highly recommended for use in bird feeders because they attract a wide variety of birds, have a high ratio of meat to shell, and are high in fat content. Other common birdseeds include niger, or thistle seed, a favorite of goldfinches, millet for sparrows and juncos, and safflower for cardinals, among others.
Non-seed
Not all birds eat seeds. Suet (beef or mutton fat) is recommended for insect-eating birds like nuthatches and woodpeckers. Nectar (essentially sugar water) attracts hummingbirds. Bread and kitchen scraps are often fed to ducks and gulls. Chickens are commonly fed corn, wheat, barley, sorghum and milling by-products.
These seeds and non-seed supplies are commonly obtained as by-products on farms, but can also be bought from independent retailers.
Commercial:
Nonfarm
A wide variety of commercial bird food is available to bird owners, combining a variety of seeds in a single mix. Individual types of bird tend to pick out their favorite seeds and leave the rest uneaten, to be picked up by other birds.
Farm
Farmed birds fed commercial bird food typically are given very specific scientifically designed preblended feed. Examples of commercial bird food for chickens include chick starter medicated crumbles, chick grower crumbles, egg layer mash, egg layer pellet, egg layer crumbles, egg producer pellet, and broiler maker med crumbles. Pellet crumbles are often prepared for tiny chicks. Mash is more finely ground.
There are a few rules for preserving bird food, which you should follow. Since bird food is mainly dry you think that it can last for very long and it is true most of the time, but if you are neglecting it you may loose all you've got in a short period of time.
The first and most important one is to keep the bird food in a dry and cool place! A plastic container is a good idea, because it isolates the food from the surrounding environment, which could get wet. You can keep large quantities of bird food like that for around six months.
Also a very important thing is to keep the feeders clean! Wash and dry them regularly! If you are watching the birds outside after each rain go out and clean the feeders. Dirty feeders are a serious cause for common death among domestic birds.
Don't forget to keep your hygiene too, especially if you are feeding wild birds. Wear gloves and wash your hands with warm water and soap every time after you give bird food.
Birds do not need only bird food, don't forget about the water. You must provide your birds with clean, fresh water regularly!
Choose bird food which has recognized quality. Biscuits are not bird food, they are for us humans. If you want to watch your birds longer spend a little bit more money on some good food for them, not something cheap and unhealthy.
Also take in mind what is the period for the birds, whether they are breeding or something else. There are all sorts of bird foods which would ease you in the choice.
If you have a time visit the near vet and ask him for more advices on what bird food is good for your bird species.
Here is a video on how to make baby bird food: