Feeding Blackbirds Sultanas (1 Viewer)

[lozza_9]

Hi All

From reading other threads on this great web site I have learned that blackbirds love sultanas.

Can I give them normal sultanas that I can buy in the shops or do they need special bird sultanas.

Thanks
Lorraine

 

[Sleeper]

Hi Lorraine
Shop bought sultanas,currants etc are all fine. I find them cheaper in supermarkets where they are priced approx 42p per 500g bag. Beware the cost though as the birds demolish bag after bag especially if you have Starlings.

A big bonus for our garden over the last couple of years is the Mistle and Song thrushes that have come to rely on the sultanas particularly through the breeding season. Good luck with the feeding and hello to overtime to pay for the food!!

 

[helenol]

Hello Lorraine. I used to buy the supermarket own brand. They disappear very fast when put out for the birds. Blackbirds also like apples, used to put these out in winter. I even got some fieldfares and redwings feeding from the apples when passing through, which was a bonus.

 

[christineredgate]

Yep,the supermarkets own cheapie brand is fine,also raisins are very acceptable if the sultanas have run out of stock(Xmas pud/cake making time is about due).Also,Haiths bird food mail order stockists,do sell the 25kg bags,or 12 kg.

 

[Metermaid]

If I may add a question....what is the best way to feed them - bird table or scattered on the ground ?

 

[pduxon]

Beware the cost though as the birds demolish bag after bag especially if you have Starlings.

Thought world war III had broken out Sunday but it was only Starlings fighting over them!! They get a dish a day greedy wotsits. The Blackbird takes the odd one!!

 

[helenol]

If I may add a question....what is the best way to feed them - bird table or scattered on the ground ?

Why don't you do a bit of both? Mainly though, ground feeding is best.

 

[Nightranger]

Hello Lorraine. I used to buy the supermarket own brand. They disappear very fast when put out for the birds. Blackbirds also like apples, used to put these out in winter. I even got some fieldfares and redwings feeding from the apples when passing through, which was a bonus.

Slight word of caution with fresh fruit such as apples - do not leave the fruit out for too long if it is not eaten immediately. Apples start to ferment very quickly and thrushes have been seen to become drunk. This could be bad news for the blackbird but good news for the local sparrowhawk. Dried fruit can be presoaked over night to make it a little easier to deal with for the smaller birds but again, do not leave uneaten fruit out too long.

Ian

 

[helenol]

Slight word of caution with fresh fruit such as apples - do not leave the fruit out for too long if it is not eaten immediately. Apples start to ferment very quickly and thrushes have been seen to become drunk. This could be bad news for the blackbird but good news for the local sparrowhawk. Dried fruit can be presoaked over night to make it a little easier to deal with for the smaller birds but again, do not leave uneaten fruit out too long.

Ian

And I wondered what they were doing staggering around all over the place

Nahh, the apples didn't last very long, not even a morning.

Next door to us is an empty plot, with a few large apples trees, should I expect to see groups of drunken thrushes on the roadside?

 

[Nightranger]

Next door to us is an empty plot, with a few large apples trees, should I expect to see groups of drunken thrushes on the roadside?

It happens! Interestingly, elephants actively seek out fermenting fruit when they are under environmental stress. It seems that there is nothing that really sets us apart from animals.

 

[christineredgate]

It happens! Interestingly, elephants actively seek out fermenting fruit when they are under environmental stress. It seems that there is nothing that really sets us apart from animals.

I could perhaps try Barry(hubbie) with a few over ripe apples,may be cheaper than his trips to the local

 

[TwinBeaks]

Hello 2004! Thank you for the advice - the blackbirds love the sultanas I am putting out for them.

 

[KC Foggin]

Hello 2004! Thank you for the advice - the blackbirds love the sultanas I am putting out for them.

I'm just going to jump in here and wish you a warm welcome from those of us on staff here at BirdForum
We're glad you found us and please join in wherever you like

 

[jackrmee]

Hello Lorraine. I used to buy the supermarket own brand. They disappear very fast when put out for the birds. Blackbirds also like apples, used to put these out in winter. I even got some fieldfares and redwings feeding from the apples when passing through, which was a bonus.

 

[jackrmee]

Hi,
How do you serve your apples? I saw people simply stringing a whole apple up, but I tried this and not a peck.

 

[jackrmee]

Thought world war III had broken out Sunday but it was only Starlings fighting over them!! They get a dish a day greedy wotsits. The Blackbird takes the odd one!!

 

[jackrmee]

Hi,
So do you feed the sultanas separately on a plate? Or mix them in with other food?

 

[jackrmee]

It happens! Interestingly, elephants actively seek out fermenting fruit when they are under environmental stress. It seems that there is nothing that really sets us apart from animals.

I have a book called Intoxication by Ronald Siegel. There are many instances of animals seeking out consciousness altering substances. Very interesting. He calls it the Fourth Drive.