Balcony Feeding Set-Up (1 Viewer)

[alize1364]

Hi all

This is my first post. I'm a very amateur birder in Westcoast Canada.

I'm hoping we can figure out a reasonable seed or suet feeder set-up for our balcony. We've had a humming bird feeder up for years and are wanting to attract other birds to our balcony now.

We live in a townhouse so no one below us is going to complain however, there is a family of rats that live under a planter box our neighbours built in their yard and we do not want to tempt fate.

From some basic research I've come to the following conclusions on how to help deter them:

1) pepper flavoured seed/suet
2) no mess seed mix (ie. Deshelled peanuts/sunflower seed)
3) have a catch tray below the feeder
4) bring the feeder in at night and clean catch tray as needed (ie. probably every day also)

Is there anything else folks would recommend?

And what type of feed would you recommend? Feed or suet?

I've also heard some mixed opinions on what to expect for bird waste as a result of putting up feeders on balconies so would love to see any opinions and/or advice on that front too as our balcony does have some furniture and a BBQ on it as well.

Thanks all!

 

[Montereyman]

Hanging the feeders greatly reduces rodent problems. Some seed mixes have filler seeds like cracked corn and red millet that birds will toss to the ground and this attracts rodents. I use two types of "waste free" seed mixes and a squirrel buster hanging feeder filled with sunflower kernels. With the right seeds you should not have a problem with dropped seeds and have need for a catcher tray.

 

[delia todd]

Agree with all that MM. I don't know why they insist on putting red millet into feeds, none of my garden birds will eat it either. I, also, try to avoid feed with corn in.

Hi Alize and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

 

[Roxanne Trees]

Hi all

This is my first post. I'm a very amateur birder in Westcoast Canada.

I'm hoping we can figure out a reasonable seed or suet feeder set-up for our balcony. We've had a humming bird feeder up for years and are wanting to attract other birds to our balcony now.

We live in a townhouse so no one below us is going to complain however, there is a family of rats that live under a planter box our neighbours built in their yard and we do not want to tempt fate.

From some basic research I've come to the following conclusions on how to help deter them:

1) pepper flavoured seed/suet
2) no mess seed mix (ie. Deshelled peanuts/sunflower seed)
3) have a catch tray below the feeder
4) bring the feeder in at night and clean catch tray as needed (ie. probably every day also)

Is there anything else folks would recommend?

And what type of feed would you recommend? Feed or suet?

I've also heard some mixed opinions on what to expect for bird waste as a result of putting up feeders on balconies so would love to see any opinions and/or advice on that front too as our balcony does have some furniture and a BBQ on it as well.

Thanks all!

I also feed birds from my upper balcony. A few years ago a family of wharf rats moved in and were breeding under my deck. I borrowed a .22 rifle from a friend and took care of the issue. I returned the rifle and bought one of my own. A must have for small pests!