Bird feeders are your best option if you want to attract a variety of birds to your garden. There are many different kinds of bird feeders available, such as feeder trays, hanging feeders, window feeders and many more. But during wet weather spells, using these feeders is not very feasible since the water creates a lot of problems for feeding the birds. If the wrong type of feeder is used, the seeds will get wet and spoil. In the event of water collecting in the feeder, your bird feed can quickly rot.
However, there are a few things that you can keep in mind which will help you to continue feeding your garden birds during wet, rainy periods and to protect your feed from getting spoilt.
Guarding against rain
To guard against rain, it makes sense to use bird feeders that are in the form of tubes rather than the trays. There are special feeders available with rain guards. These rain guards are domes that can be fitted to the feeders to protect the feed and also provide shelter for small birds. These guards help to keep the feeder seed dry and free-flowing.
There are also the seed saver feeders available that are specifically designed for mealworms. These feeders are durable and perfect for feeding live as well as dried mealworms. Again, these feeders come with an adjustable dome that protects the feed from getting wet.
Choosing your bird feed
When considering your choice of bird feed during wet periods, it is better to opt for a free-flowing bird mix that is high in energy as it can flow with relative ease even if it becomes a little damp. It is also wiser to not fill your bird feeders completely with the feed - instead, maintain small quantities at a time and replenish them when necessary. You'll also need to keep your feeders as clean as possible during rains.
In case of spoilt feed, you should promptly remove the feed and scrape off the dirt and discard it.
These are some small yet effective tips that will help you to maintain and protect your feeders during wet spells.
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