I put 2 bird feeders out in our yard; 1 with peanuts and 1 with seeds but despite there being a few birds around and about (I live in a terraced house in the centre of town), none have come to feed. Is it because we have a dog?? The feeders are dangling from the washing line, well out of reach of the local cats and our dog and have been there for about 2 weeks...
2007-02-17 07:38:16 · 22 answers · asked by Mehera 2 in Pets ➔ Birds
Take them off the washing line and hang them off a fixed bracket somewhere where they can be seen. Sunflower seeds are the best to put in. I use the sunflower hearts, no shells. Try hanging some fat balls near the feeders as well. I get 6 for a quid from the poundshop. I live on the edge of our city where it`s fairly open with tree belts, but I`ve noticed that not so many birds are feeding this year. I think it`s due to the mild winter and the fact that there has been more natural food around. The time they usually feed though is early morning. If you live in a town centre you won`t get so many varieties as you would nearer the country. Could you could put a birdbath out somewhere too? I had a sparrow hawk sitting on my fence the other day! I couldn`t believe it!
2007-02-17 07:55:50 · answer #1 · answered by The BudMiester 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It does take a while before they get to know that the feeders are there. One thing you need to do though, is make sure that they are in an area where the birds feel secure. If there are lots of bushes nearby, or a place where predators could be hiding, then they are less likely to try the feeders. There needs to be a clear view for at least a few feet all around, so the small birds can feel safe. But your dog shouldn't be putting them off, unless he's around the feeders a lot. Patience, they'll come!
2007-02-17 07:51:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anna 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The most important factor is that the birds must feel safe and because you have placed the feeders in a very open place with no close proximity to hedge/bushes this takes much longer than a few weeks.I moved to a flat with balcony,hung a bird feeder and waited.Only now a year later do they feel confident and I have the joy of watching ,chaffinch,sparrows and even a little robin visit me , I would suggest that you fix feeders to a more secure source than washing line,then be patient and you will be rewarded. Good luck
2007-02-17 21:44:26 · answer #3 · answered by fifties kid 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Give them time, they will come. Maybe try another kind of seed. The really cheap seed from the market isn't appealing to them. I guess the're pretty smart. Try and find out what kind of birds are in your area because some birds like different kinds of seed. Call a outdoor bird retailer to find out the seed after you identify the birds, you also have to feed them all year, not only in the winter
2007-02-17 07:46:07 · answer #4 · answered by jan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have 3 big dogs and birds still empty the bird feeder, it takes them a while to find it, and make sure its high so the dog doesn't scare the birds.
2016-05-23 23:21:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well most birds are afraid of dogs cause they think that the dog will harm them and attack and might eat them for foods . plus some birds arent hungery yet some of them can wait til everything else is clear out there isnt any other animals and humans around by the foods . well dont worrying about it maybe later on the evening you will see some birds eatting the seeds . but some birds also like to drink out water or take a bath to keep them feel freshing and clean . thirty too.
2007-02-17 07:50:03 · answer #6 · answered by sk 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it took a while after we put the feeders out for the "word" to get out to the bird population, but keep them out and keep the food reasonably fresh and they will come...one way to draw them in is to take an orange rhind (or grapefruit) when you cut the fruit in half and squeeze the juice from it (or eat it) put jelly in the middle of it and put it out where they can have it and be safe from the dog and other predators...we did that and have a regular grandcentral station around our yard with all the birds....they are fun to watch...
2007-02-17 07:46:25 · answer #7 · answered by captsnuf 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would spread seeds on the ground under the feeders and ground birds will come and cause others to feed. Birds are like us all, they get hungry and you have the meal. They will come!!
2007-02-17 09:50:22 · answer #8 · answered by oldrooster 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think because of the dog try to keep him inside the house for few days. Then the birds will start to feed
2007-02-17 07:46:11 · answer #9 · answered by gramatin24 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Birds are prey animals and are sometimes very cautious about things that are different in their environment, it may take longer than 2 weeks.
Try adding a waterer. In reading about wild birds, the thing that is hardest for them to find in urban areas is water, so they are very attracted to waterers.
Good lucj
2007-02-17 08:09:20 · answer #10 · answered by axel_jones2001 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋