What's wrong with the fat balls?

[deborah4]

Why won't they eat the Fat Balls?

Along with the usual seed feeders, I have two fat balls (well half coconut shells full of fat and seeds) hanging from line. The feeders are really popular so site isn't the problem. Last year, the starlings and blue tits loved exactly the same fat balls. This year they haven't even been touched. I thought they might be a bit hard so I gouged them a bit but it's made no difference.

What's wrong - why aren't they being eaten?

[IanF]

I had a similar problem with a fat filled half coconut I bought at Wilkinsons - not to knock them as we often buy the proper fat balls from them at a great saving over other sources and the birds love them.

The half coconut was never touched so it was thrown out in the end. I wondered if it was something in the mixture that put the birds off?

[Anthony Morton]

Hi Deborah,

I'm not sure from your post whether the birds are simply not going anywhere near the fat balls, or whether they are visiting them but refusing to eat.

If it's the latter, could it be that the fat balls are old stock not kept in the best of conditions and that the fat content has become rancid?

Anthony

[Reader]

Strange but we are experiencing exactly the same thing. I have a couple of cylindrical fat ball holders. I usually put 4 in each of them over two of the feeding stations I maintain.

Last year I couldn't keep up with the birds as they were munching through them at a fantastic rate. This year nothing. On top of that I also have a couple of those square suet blocks (one with a seed mix and one with an insect mix). Last year they were heartedly tucked into by the birds. This year nothing.

[tiomet]

I found this too.

I read, somewhere, on one of the forums about giving the birds a little grated mild cheese so I put this out instead, with the Atora granules and they seem to have renewed interest.

I figured that on bitter mornings they want fast food rather than to hang around pecking away on fat balls so leaving loose stuff ( insects, fruit, Atora granules, chopped peanuts - all the stuff you would put in fat balls plus a little grated cheese) in the mix of seed would save them precious minutes in the cold.

Having said all that I am genuinely concerned at the drop in numbers and types of birds feeding in my garden at the moment. In the summer it was dozens of sparrows, starlings, magpies and other more commonly seen birds now it is a couple of jays and a handful of starlings. No sparrows at all and the robin seems to have gone plus the lone bluetit and goldfinch.

[deborah4]

Hi all

It sounds like it could be a mixture of factors: As Ian says, it could be something in the fat itself, although this does not seem to explain why last year they were so popular unless they now contain a new additive. My first thoughts were as Anthony suggested and they are simply 'old' before they reach the customer - (I bought 6 of them at £6.99!) - I did think this recently as I had to cut down a very large net fat ball and leave it for the squirrels and foxes as that too remained completely untouched - so basically the birds have eaten no fat at all this year. Tiomet's suggestion sounds quite logical, I do recall the most popular time for the fat balls last year was early spring when the starlings were out in flocks so it may simply be the need for 'fast food'. What surprises me most though in this, is the starlings lack of interest - considering they were like gannets last year. In answer to your query, Anthony, I have seen several birds land on the fat balls then leave without eating, including a few starlings, a robin and a couple of blue tits, but not recently.

Tiomet, I do share your concern re: decline in garden visits - I've not see robins, wrens, sparrows, great tits or coal tits for a couple of weeks (since a very cold spell here). The Greenfinches are back and so is a solitary blue tit, a couple of ringed collar doves and ferral pigeons but that's about it.

I'll think I'll try scoping out the fat of a new batch of coconut 'balls' and adding some wild seed & sunflower with it as well as some porridge oats to make a crumble mixture. (I have an empty hanging bird bath to put the mixture in which I'll hang from the line instead!)

[walwyn]

The fat balls the we put out are very popular with the Tits, we gave up on the blocks as they starlings gobbled them at a furious rate, which was pretty expensive and they left nothing for any other birds. However, some were more popular than others the peanut ones went in no time, the fruit ones survived a little longer. What we now do is make up our own mix of seeds and lard which the Starlings gobble, and they leave the fat balls for the others.

[Mary Evelyn]

The fat balls here are going down well.

[deborah4]

The fat balls here are going down well.

Hmm ...maybe I should just try and buy some more but then again, messing around with squidgy lard sounds like so much fun!

[Cathy H]

We use the church candle type of fat cakes and they go down a treat. During the last few weeks we've had our annual invasion of long-tailed tits who completely surround it feeding away. We also have large numbers of chaffinches (70ish) as well as blackbirds, robins, jays, blue great and coal tits, collared doves, pigeons and even an odd heron but no starlings or sparrows (we never get either of them).

Cheers, B (:

[deborah4]

We use the church candle type of fat cakes and they go down a treat. During the last few weeks we've had our annual invasion of long-tailed tits who completely surround it feeding away. We also have large numbers of chaffinches (70ish) as well as blackbirds, robins, jays, blue great and coal tits, collared doves, pigeons and even an odd heron but no starlings or sparrows (we never get either of them).

Cheers, B (:

That does it! I'm changing me fat balls! B (:

[David FG]

I have given up on fat balls as they were left untouched. Birds had no problems with anything else, though.

[Trevor Lee]

Our fat balls are gone, we go through 8 a week and the bird cant sem to get enough of them. We buy them in bulk now.

Incidentally has any one tried the dried mealworms? if so how do the birds rate them and how do you present them to the birds. I'm not sure what to put them in as if its raining they are likely to go soggy.

Suggestions would be greatly received.

Regards

Trevor

______________________

Growing up is mandatory, growing up is optional!

[Duck_Pond]

I think the squirrels eat the ones I put out... but the blocks of fat, those with berry / apple or seed mixed in, last a mere day or so, attracting starlings and all manner of tits. They're far more popular... but more expensive too.

[Duck_Pond]

I buy loads of the dried meal worms - the robins love them. One of the first things to disappear from the bird tables.

I just put them out as they are. The packet suggests that you can soak them in water to make them softer, but they get eaten just as quickly if you don't.

[walwyn]

Incidentally has any one tried the dried mealworms? if so how do the birds rate them and how do you present them to the birds. I'm not sure what to put them in as if its raining they are likely to go soggy.

I've been trying dried mealworms for some weeks now. At first I put them in a Robin nest box but none of the birds found them. Then I scattered them under the bushes where the Dunnock and Robin tend to forage, no takers. I've scattered them around about where the Tits group, no takers either. However, in the morning most of them are gone so something is eating them, but I don't think its the birds. At least during hours of daylight I've not seen any of the birds take any.

[Trevor Lee]

I buy loads of the dried meal worms - the robins love them. One of the first things to disappear from the bird tables.

I just put them out as they are. The packet suggests that you can soak them in water to make them softer, but they get eaten just as quickly if you don't.

Thanks I will try them in the bird table first and see if there are any takers.
I had thought of using them in the summer to put near the Blue Tit nestso the adults dont find it to difficult to find food. Has any body had experience of this?

Trevor

[Richard Bryce]

Ref the Wilkinson half-coconuts. I bought a couple. One I hung in my garden remained untouched until my home-made suet cakes had gone, then the starlings soon made short order of it. Another I hung in my mother's garden remains only half eaten some weeks later, despite a huge flock of starlings being regular visitors.

For home made suet cakes I melt cheap lard, mix in quantities if raisins, nuts and seeds, stiffen the mix with oats and flour, pour into plastic moulds and harden in the freezer. They go on the table and in cages. I only ever see starlings on them and they are soon devoured. The moulds are margarine and soft cheese cartons, and the plastic and foil cases individual cakes come in.

[Cathy H]

On the subject of dried mealworms, I've been using them recently, and was surprised to find how dry they were. I don't know what's eating them but something is. I put them on the bird table where we have jays, blackbirds, robins, chaffinches and various tits feeding. I've checked below the table each morning and ther are none left. The ones I've put in a dish have been rained on and become softer (I wouldn't call it soggy) but yet again, something is eating them, and in this case, I think it's the blackbirds.

Hope that helps, B (:

[tiomet]

I think it's the blackbirds

Aye, I was watching this yesterday wondering the same. I had been sprinking them around the shrubbery hoping the wren would feed (and it may still be but so hard to spot!). I noticed a female blackbird poking about eating there though, and a male a bit later, so was glad. Longing for the spring songs.

[Reader]

[COLOR=Indigo]Longing for the spring songs.

And me, but for now we have a Song Thrush in full voice each day at dawn to welcome the day in. Beautiful.

[deborah4]

Since my first post, I have subsequently removed the coconut shells as they remained uneaten, as did the new ones I had put up.

Following other's suggestions: I made my own mix from suet fat, mixed seeds, and cereal. This also remained untouched. I had put this in a small hanging empty bird bath, but the offground birds preferred the normal feeders and even stopped coming to them.

Today I took the bath down and emptied the contents on the ground. Apart from a tentative feed by a blackbird and a few pigeons that too was largely ignored. (I thought at least the seagulls would eat it!) The finches and tits returned to the feeders about 15 minutes later. Was this a coincidence?!!

I know others here have said their fat mixes and coconuts have been popular and some have said not !!

What, if anything, is making the difference?

[gi2012]

I've been buying the 4 pack fat balls from Wilkinson's for 50p each pack at the moment, and they have been eaten and at home and work. They are in a special fat ball holder - like a metal peanut holder with larger spacing, the birds can get their heads inside, this was only 1 or 2 pounds from Wilkinsons. I have not tried their half coconut fat holders though.

The birds in my garden do not seem to eat the peanuts but at work they go quite quickly - I wonder if their choosiness depends on what they are getting in the vicinity, if they can tell the food is old stock as previously mentioned or maybe it is the brand/mixture of food they are getting. I am trying a different brand of peanuts at the moment to see if they are more likeable.

Could be local tastes! ;)

Gi

[Renee Redstart]

Since my first post, I have subsequently removed the coconut shells as they remained uneaten, as did the new ones I had put up.

Following other's suggestions: I made my own mix from suet fat, mixed seeds, and cereal. This also remained untouched. I had put this in a small hanging empty bird bath, but the offground birds preferred the normal feeders and even stopped coming to them.

Today I took the bath down and emptied the contents on the ground. Apart from a tentative feed by a blackbird and a few pigeons that too was largely ignored. (I thought at least the seagulls would eat it!) The finches and tits returned to the feeders about 15 minutes later. Was this a coincidence?!!

I know others here have said their fat mixes and coconuts have been popular and some have said not !!

What, if anything, is making the difference?
I think you've got very fussy birds, Deborah! I started with the RSPB peanut cake, and that went down very well. But as it's expensive to keep up at the rate my birds scoff, I've been making my own. It's basically the cheapest lard melted, and mixed with chopped and ground peanuts that I do in the food processor, set in large yoghurt pots. No seeds, and it's a general consensus that the black sunflower seeds in shells aren't popular in fatcake. I also make a second type of fatcake mixing in insectivorous mixes, such as Prosecto, Softbill mix or Mealworm Crumble, half and half with ground peanuts. I cover the fat ball holders in cling film and surround with foil for support, then fill with the mixture. When they are set, I remove the wrappings and hang out in the bushes. these are very popular with Blackbirds, Starlings and all manner of Tits. They have even attracted a Blackcap pair!
Good luck from Renée

[Renee Redstart]

Incidentally has any one tried the dried mealworms? if so how do the birds rate them and how do you present them to the birds. I'm not sure what to put them in as if its raining they are likely to go soggy.

Suggestions would be greatly received.

Regards

Trevor

______________________

Growing up is mandatory, growing up is optional!

Hello Trevor.
I sometimes use dried mealworms. Not as much as I would like because they're quite dear. I tried putting them out as they were at first, and no-one was interested. So I started soaking them overnight and they're always eaten. So if it's raining, it wouldn't hurt. I just put them out next to the ground feed mix.

[rin]

Wow, I hadn't realised what a debate was going on about fat balls.

I too notice that the birds are either 110% on these containers or else ignoring them altogether. I assumed it was due to what else was on offer in the garden. I get in bother from him indoors, he says the birds are better fed and looked after than he is !!! (it is true too, they don't make demands!)

My regulars are always starlings, sparrows, dunnocks, blackbirds and collared doves. The starlings and sparrows are the only birds to munch at the fat ball containers whilst the starlings and dunnocks enjoy the debris that falls to the ground below.

I have noticed that during the periods when I scatter peanuts, raisins, apples, pears, bananas that the fat balls don't get touched.

The blackbirds absolutely love pears, the apples get ignored until these are finished. It was an old lady that told me about the birds love of bananas, it is something that I hadn't ever considered disposing of in the garden.

I very rarely see a greenfinch, blue tit or coal tit and it saddens me as I love these wee birdies. Any tips as to how I could encourage them?

I haven't seen many thrushes in the last year again this is disappointing. I haven't seen any chaffinches in many months and they used to be regulars. My robin hasn't been around for weeks either..........now I am becoming depressed..............I hadn't really thought about the lack of species in my garden until starting to write this mail item.......

I am never short of sparrows and starlings to watch. I get 6 dunnocks mingling amongst them and I used to think that the were solitary birds.

I have one blackbird that has a ginger bib and another with a ginger head. They look quite scary........arggghhh. Anyone else seen that?

Thanks for the ideas of making own fat balls. How long do they take to harden? Do you put a string into the soft mixture for hanging purposes?

I will continue to watch this thread with much interest.

Happy birding, Rin x

[Renee Redstart]

Thanks for the ideas of making own fat balls. How long do they take to harden? Do you put a string into the soft mixture for hanging purposes?

I will continue to watch this thread with much interest.

Happy birding, Rin x

I usually leave them overnight to set and harden, but putting them in the freezer helps if I'm in a hurry.
I tried putting string in once, but it was a complete failure for me. The squirrels managed to knock the whole lump onto the ground. It's much easier to fill a fat ball holder.

[Reader]

I usually leave them overnight to set and harden, but putting them in the freezer helps if I'm in a hurry.
I tried putting string in once, but it was a complete failure for me. The squirrels managed to knock the whole lump onto the ground. It's much easier to fill a fat ball holder.
Hi Renee

I must admit that when I do my own fat ball I place a piece of twig at the bottom of the string and let the fat ball harden around it. That way I have kept them intact (so far).

[rin]

Thanks for replying girls, this is an excellent idea. Keep me posted if you come up with any others.

Rin x

[Reader]

Thanks for replying girls, this is an excellent idea. Keep me posted if you come up with any others.

Rin x

Err!! I'm not a girl, well I wasn't when I last looked. :D

[Richard Bryce]

I've had mixed success with fiddling about with string and twigs. Now I just mould in old marge/soft cheese containers, leave in the freezer overnight to harden and pop in plastic coated wire cages from Wilkinsons (99p or £1.99p from memory). I also harden some of the mix in earthenware pots (the ones pate comes in), or in yoghurt pots to transfer to the heavier ones, for the bird table. If strapped for time I just unwrap the cheap lard and scrape some in to the pot or pop the block in the cage - afterall it's the fat that's most attractive. The rest mix they can get off the table in the pick 'n mix.

[2spot Ladybird]

I find the ready bought fat feeders way too expensive so I make my own. Here's my mix:

A large handful of chopped soaked sultanas (I use Supermarket's cheapest own brand)

Left over heels of bread

Lard (again Supermarket's cheapest own brand)

I break up the bread into small pieces, mix in the sultanas and then mix in melted lard, leave to thicken a bit then spoon into a half coconut. Any remaining is put into empty jelly pots then half coconut and jelly pots are left in fridge over night to harden.

Coconut hung up on washing line pole, stuff from jelly pots chopped up and put on bird table and ground. My birds, especially the Starlings, love this mixture. The Starlings go through half a coconut's worth a day but could quite easily consume more.

[deborah4]

I find the ready bought fat feeders way too expensive so I make my own. Here's my mix:

A large handful of chopped soaked sultanas (I use Supermarket's cheapest own brand)

Left over heels of bread

Lard (again Supermarket's cheapest own brand)

I break up the bread into small pieces, mix in the sultanas and then mix in melted lard, leave to thicken a bit then spoon into a half coconut. Any remaining is put into empty jelly pots then half coconut and jelly pots are left in fridge over night to harden.

Coconut hung up on washing line pole, stuff from jelly pots chopped up and put on bird table and ground. My birds, especially the Starlings, love this mixture. The Starlings go through half a coconut's worth a day but could quite easily consume more.

Hi 2spot

That sounds the cheapest and simplest 'do-it-yourself' so far! I was getting overwhelmed with all the Cordon Bleau for Starlings and Blue Peter construction ideas!

I'm afraid I've 'cheated' again and bought a different type of suet feeder today (a block) and a 'very-probably-not-squirrel-proof' feeder to put it in. I got into a bit of a mess with my homemade stuff - most of which needed a pick-axe to get into, let alone a small beak.

(I still have the coconut containers so there's start at least!)
I will persevere - they WILL eat fat !!!!!!!!!! :eat:

[willowa]

I put fat balls on the floor out of the netting. All the birds seem to enjoy them better that way.

[deborah4]

I put fat balls on the floor out of the netting. All the birds seem to enjoy them better that way.

Yes mind end up on the floor it they haven't been eaten off ground but unfortunately, its not an ideal solution for me as my neighbours cats would enjoy the birds better that way too!! :cat:

[Mary Evelyn]

I put fat balls on the floor out of the netting. All the birds seem to enjoy them better that way.

I crumble them onto my bird tables and the birds love it.(Bought)Fat balls can be hard work in freezing temperatures,they do become difficult for the birds.They love them ,but can go through them on a warm day so much quicker,as they soften.Come winter,they do become quite solid and turning them to crumbs is a good idea.I also pop a couple out of the nets in my front garden on a bird table hidden amongst the evergreens and the bluetits have such fun.Working full time,I really can't make my own but the birds here do like the fatballs I buy,they just don't like the fact, that on a freezing cold day they are solid.Tough work being a bird :flyaway:

[Drean Mollagh]

I was just about to start a new thread about fat balls and safety, when I noticed it had already been done - and that readers were being invited to join this thread.

For those of you who are keen British Isles gardeners as well as garden bird watchers, you may buy 'Garden News'. This week features a design for a bird feeder made from the nets used to hold nuts (Brazils, Walnuts etc). The nets are filled with seeds etc and put up for the birds along with millet strings. (I bought some of these strings once from a pet shop - no interest at all from the birds.)

My question is:
1. Are not the supermarket style nut bags sold around Christmas just as potentially dangerous as the still widely available green and red nets sold as bird feeders? Perhaps a letter to Garden News is in order.

[deborah4]

I was just about to start a new thread about fat balls and safety, when I noticed it had already been done - and that readers were being invited to join this thread.

For those of you who are keen British Isles gardeners as well as garden bird watchers, you may buy 'Garden News'. This week features a design for a bird feeder made from the nets used to hold nuts (Brazils, Walnuts etc). The nets are filled with seeds etc and put up for the birds along with millet strings. (I bought some of these strings once from a pet shop - no interest at all from the birds.)

My question is:
1. Are not the supermarket style nut bags sold around Christmas just as potentially dangerous as the still widely available green and red nets sold as bird feeders? Perhaps a letter to Garden News is in order.

:hi: Hi Drean

I think the general view on netted fat balls is that they could cause injuries. I don't know about the nets used by shops to sell nuts in. However, I personally now don't use nets of any description - even if the holes were large, I think I'd be worried about the risk of strangulation. A lot of people here have suggested fat ball feeders (rather like peanut feeders) which can be purchased at pet stores. I'm inspired by the people who've posted to this thread to start making my own fat balls. There's plenty of recipes here and original ideas for containers (if you have the inclination and the time!!)

Regards

PS. I have been raising this issue with my local pet store recently

[deborah4]

Just an extra note: The starlings have now returned to the garden and have started to feed in flocks on the homemade fat mix I scraped out of a hanging feeder and tipped on the ground - sounds like the problem was the fat mix was too hard for the smaller birds to eat comfortably as Mary (et al) suggested earlier.

[Cathy H]

Hi Rin,

If you're listening out, I just thought I'd let you know what's happening here on the west coast - we get absolutely no starlings and although there are sparrows locally they don't venture as far as us.

We do get various tits - coal, great, blue and long tailed, as well as green finches, goldfinches, chaffinches, jays, gs woodpeckers dunnocks, robins, blackbirds, and even this morning, a pheasant.

I'm sure there are folk on this forum who live nearer to you who get a variety of species visiting them. Hopefully, yours will return too soon.

Regards, :t:

[nickb]

Hi all,

Interesting subject and I think that a lot of the problem is the fat starting to go mouldy, particularly when the garden centres etc sell in bulk, ie large tubs of 20+. I get no activity on any of these unless I break them up out of the nets and place on the table or ground and even then its limited. Within a matter of days they seem to smell off and soon after mould starts appearing so I throw them away, put a new one up and same problem in a few days.

I guess the answer is to make your own or buy selectively from a good source etc and remove from nets and place in suitable feeder.

Cheers
Nick



Hi Rin,

If you're listening out, I just thought I'd let you know what's happening here on the west coast - we get absolutely no starlings and although there are sparrows locally they don't venture as far as us.

We do get various tits - coal, great, blue and long tailed, as well as green finches, goldfinches, chaffinches, jays, gs woodpeckers dunnocks, robins, blackbirds, and even this morning, a pheasant.

I'm sure there are folk on this forum who live nearer to you who get a variety of species visiting them. Hopefully, yours will return too soon.

Regards, :t:

[deborah4]

:-O Birds love the new fat balls!

Since previous posts have been making my own fat mix - birds in garden have since increased, including new visits from pied wagtails, grey wagtails, and a song thrush. All, including blackbirds, robins and starlings feeding!

(This morning I put a freshly made batch out, unfortunately, herring gull swooped in and made off with the lot - even the squirrel didn't get a look in) - will have to grind up pieces even smaller, the gulls can stick to bread, its cheaper.

[Chris Oates]

After reading the good advice here I've started making fat mix too, I use lard (microwave melted in TV meal containers) and meusli mix with some raisins.
I feed from a wire cage suet feeder, blocks hung from string attached to a twig set inside the block - don't use it on a bird table or on the ground as I've seen a rat using my peanut feeder - I have to hang all my feeders from thin Fuschia branches which won't take the rats weight - he's given up now.
I find feeding fat has added interest for me as it's mainly used by the Thrush, Blackcap and Robin which now stay longer as they're not competing with the seed feeding birds.
Morning feeder watching has become much calmer (I'm a new feeder) - the birds are getting used to seeing me with not too many clothes on staring at them thro' a scope - more recent amusement from the Blackbirds & Thrush who come to the window and sit on my security light looking for me to go out and give them their chopped apples & raisins.
I put out ice cream containers as economy bird baths which have been very popular, sometime I'm going to have to sweep up all the leaf debris that the groundfeeders enjoy hunting through but the neighbours don't like walikng through.

[deborah4]

Hi Chris

Its the neighbours we scare off by our 'weird' garden birding! - mine probably think I'm certifiable - 'Honey, who is that strange woman in No 38 staring out the window wearing just a dressing gown and a pair of binoculars'?

Needless to say, Ive seen many a new pair of curtains go up in the neighbourhood recently!

How do 'your' thrushes and blackbirds get to the feeders? I think I need to design something a bit more sophisticated than tipping it out on the ground - mainly because of cats - but it so time consuming, the downfall of making your own suet mix. I like your recipe by the way - I put porridge oats, breadcrumbs and black sunflower seeds in mine.