Feeding birds

How often do you feed the birds---my friend keeps the feeders full constantly, while my Mom feeds them every morning and that's it.

Which is right? I'm thinking my friends birds are lazy, but Mom's still can forage for seeds when they need, she just supplements.

Hi threegardeners, Putting feeders out will not stop birds from foraging for naturals seeds, berries etc.

Theres really no wrong or right way to feed birds except to make sure that all foods are fresh, not stale or rancid and that feeders are cleaned often enough to help prevent spread of any illness. Obviously they need the feeders more during Fall,Winter and Spring.

Water is also Very important. :-)

It's a good idea to make sure feeders are empty, or taken down, at night - otherwise you risk attracting unwelcome visitors like rats, or (if they occur in the area) worse, bears.

Resin

I've never seen a rat here; probably too many cats around.

I've only ever heard of 1 person I know personally having rats, but they also had other pet foods around on the ground.

Racoons would be another one to consider.

If I had to take down feeders every night or fill them every single morning I wouldn't even bother putting out feeders; but thats just me. :-)

Hopefully some day I won't be forced to do that by an unfortunate incident. ;-)

With my setup as it is right the tube feeder and the finch feeder stay up and filled all the time.

I fill the tray feeder with some seed in the morning and again around 4pm after the squirrles have emptied it. It probably equals about 3 cups of a mixed assortment of seed/peanuts a day. This amount is adjusted as needed by weather, time of year etc.

Anything left in it at dark is put in a ground dish for the night critters. I have to bring in the woodpecker feeder at night or the raccoons get it right down and empty it out.