Feeding Peanuts to Wild Birds

We all know how helpful it is for us to feed the wild birds that visit our gardens all year round. I would also say a lot of us are pretty set on what type of seed we put out for our winged visitors. Some of us will opt for a basic seed mix, maybe sunflower hearts; or even something more exotic like nyjer seed. But what about something to mix it up a bit? What about Peanuts? Here, we’re hopefully going to answer the questions you have about why should add peanuts to your buffet of wild bird feed!

Are Peanuts safe for birds to eat?

Yes, absolutely! (We wouldn’t be telling you about them otherwise!) Peanuts are a great source of oils, fats and protein. Perfect for the winter months, as well as a nutritious meal all year round. With that being said, we do advise that you source your peanuts responsibly because they can cause health problems to birds if they are not to a decent standard. Avoid feeding roasted, salted or any flavoured peanuts to wild birds, as they are unable to properly digest the salt, and that again can lead to major health issues.

What kind of birds will Peanuts attract?

Peanuts can attract a large variety of wild birds to your garden, as they are incredibly popular with almost every kind you are likely to see in your back garden. The most common of these visitors are likely to be finches, tits, woodpeckers and nuthatches. If ground up into smaller pieces, they can also attract other small birds such as robins, especially when mixed with other seed.

Are there any special guidelines for feeding?

There are a few things to consider when feeding peanuts to wild birds. The first thing is, you are going to need to get a Peanut Feeder. These have bigger mesh holes compared to regular seed feeders, which is needed for the much bigger peanut. However, you can still use a regular seed feeder if you wish to crush the peanuts and mix with a regular seed. As mentioned, you can feed the peanuts whole and as they are, or you can crush them up or you can purchase Split Peanuts, which is basically the peanut broken up into smaller pieces. This is recommended so that smaller birds are able to eat and digest them, also when larger birds are gathering food for their chicks, as they are prone to choking on the larger pieces. It is also recommended to feed only a bit at a time, as Peanuts left outside over time can build up mould and can harm wild birds. Also clean up any spilled on the ground and around the feeding area. Sold on Peanuts yet? Great! At Farm and Pet Place, we have on offer quality Peanuts from a trusted source, available now at 2 for £59.99 plus free delivery! We also have a huge variety of Wild Bird Food to choose from in our store.]]>