Tag Archives: fat

DO NOT USE VEGETABLE OIL WHEN FEEDING BIRDS -THEY NEED FAT SUCH AS LARD

1 Reply

Hi Trisha,
a new member here. Can I put Trex into my bird cake as
I’ m a non meat eater and don’t usually have lard, although I will make an exception for the birds

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Hi,

It’s great that you are feeding birds and care enough to ask this question. It must be difficult for you to think about using lard.

Birds do need fat. They do not need vegetable oil.

Lard or dripping is good.

Amazing Fact –

A BLUE TIT SPENDS 85% OF ITS DAY LOOKING FOR FOOD

So if we put bird food out (with lard if possible) we can help birds and help them save their energy and use it to see them through the freezing winter nights

Lard is good for birds in winter. I often melt some lard. When it is melted I pour it over bird food and mix it together. This does not make a fatball – it just gives birds fat coated bird food.

My daughter is vegetarian and I understand the reasons for being vegetarian.

I am a meat eater and think that as long as an animal is looked after properly then it is OK to eat meat and use lard or dripping. There are so many hilly / upland parts of Britain that cannot grow any crops, so grazing animals is a good way to feed the Nation.

Vegetable oil is not any good

Let me know how you get on.

Trisha

FEEDING FAT TO BIRDS – CONFUSION CAUSED BY BBC INFORMATION?

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.Liz said, on February 3rd, 2010

During the snowy/cold time we had recently BBC breakfast encouraged people to feed the birds in you garden (good for them).
I e mailed to suggest that people put out fat mixed with seeds and other suitable bits. Within half an hour they announced that you should not give birds meat fat as it might give them salmonella which would kill them. Is this correct?
If not please ask them to make an announcement to clarify as many people may have taken this as correct and are not giving fat to birds in the garden.

 Trish said, on February 4th, 2010
The world is turning upside down. 

It was a good idea of yours to suggest people put out fat mixed with seed.

I have always put out seed mixed with fat in winter. I think people have been doing it for years.

I have looked on the RSPB website to see what they say. They now seem to differentiate between lard and meat fat !

I wonder if the BBC have read this and misunderstood because they do not understand bird feeding.

I’m not sure how to get in touch with BBC breakfast but will take a look.

The RSPB site says
‘Lard and beef suet on their own are fine as they re-solidify after warming and, as they are pure fat, it is not as suitable for bacteria to breed on. ‘

It goes on to say ‘Fat from cooking is bad for birds.’ Then it goes on to explain why.

The RSPB site also says ‘Unlike humans, birds need high levels of saturated fat, such as raw suet and lard. They need the high energy content to keep warm in the worst of the winter weather, since their body reserves are quickly used up, particularly on cold winter nights. ‘

So feeding fat to birds is helping them survive the winter.

thanks for telling me about this. What was the email address you used to contact them?  Trisha at Bird Table News

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I hope we don’t confuse people too much and make bird feeding too complicated for people to do.

Does anyone have any ideas and opinions on the type of fat to feed birds.

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