Keeping your backyard birds healthy

I love backyard birds! I saw this article in my Birds and Blooms magazine and thought it would be a great topic for Pet Talk on caring for our beautiful backyard visitors.

Dishes that humans eat are generally not good for birds just like us eating junk food. They consume many foods that can fill them up but contain non-nutritive calories. Malnutrition is a reality if birds are not receiving the food they truly need. They can become susceptible to disease.

Here are nine foods recommended not feeding your backyard birds: Bread causes them to become full quickly and the birds may skip foods that have more nutritive value. Raw Meat can quickly go rancid and spoil. It also attracts unwanted guests. Seeds and nuts for people contain large amounts of salt. Bird seed is formulated for birds and does not have the added sodium. Bacon fat has additives, salt and spoils quickly outside. Many people use in suet. Try to find a non-processed source of fat. Potato chips do not provide proper nutrition for birds. They contain large amounts of salt. Honey has a tendency to grow mold and become sticky and troublesome. Red dye is harmful to your hummingbirds and does not attract more birds. Get a feeder with some red on it and make your own nectar with 1 parts sugar to 4 parts water. Old birdseed should not be fed. It can be rancid and contain molds. Pet food, such as dog and cat kibble, lacks nutrition for birds and may attract mice, rats, and other backyard pests.

I hope this information is helpful and provides information that bird seed and bird products are the safest to feed your backyard visitors.

If you have questions about pet care, please contact Dr. Norette L. Underwood of the Trumann Animal Clinic at catdoc56@gmail.com