Getting Started with Bird Feeding

What to feed garden birds

A garden featuring bird feeders filled with our food is certain to be a happy one. The choice can seem bewildering at first so let us simplify it for you.

In short, different bird foods are used to either attract different birds or to provide them with the energy and nutrients they require. To get started you'll need some bird food, at least one bird feeder and somewhere to hang the feeder.

Straights vs seed mixes

The foods and what they're for

Sunflower Hearts

Best all-rounder

These seeds are 'huskless', meaning the bird eats the whole seed. That makes them better value for money and means you won't get mess around your feeders. They're enjoyed by most garden birds. If you're unsure where to start, buy these first.

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Peanuts

High energy

Birds love peanuts. They've been a firm favourite for feeding birds for generations due to being rich in both oil and protein. Just remember to always feed peanuts from a mesh feeder - this is essential to prevent smaller birds choking on them.

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Niger seed

For finches

These tiny seeds are also oil rich, they're also tiny! They're absolutely loved by finches, especially goldfinches. If you'd like to attract thse to your garden, pick up some niger seed - just don't forget the seeds are tiny so you will need a special niger feeder or they'll all just pour out!

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Suet & fat

Cold weather

Suet foods are the best source of fat for birds. Whilst they need this all year round, the need becomes especially greatest during the colder winter months and the breeding season. They come in different forms: (fat balls, suet blocks, suet pellets, coconuts).

Coconuts (click to read more)

Coconuts are the easiest way to start here because they have a built in hanger meaning you dont need to buy a feeder.

Fat Balls and Blocks (click to read more)

Fat balls and blocks are similar - balls are a little better if you don't have too many birds yet because you can put out a couple at a time so the food stays fresher.

Suet Pellets (click to read more)

Suet Pellets can be fed by themselves, or mixed into other bird food.

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Mealworms

For robins

These are a high calorie, high protein treat and a particular favourite of robins and blackbirds. Being dried insects, they're a great natural way to feed birds.

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Seed mix types

Mixes are blended for several purposes and graded by quality and purpose:

• No-grow / no-mess mixes have the husks removed, so nothing sprouts beneath the feeder.
• All-season blends suit feeders and tables right through the year.
• Ground & table mixes are coarser, for birds that prefer to feed low down.
• We then offer value mixes and premium mixes to suit different budgets.

First, choose a suitable food. We've gathered our most popular options below — each one a dependable place to start. If you are unsure, we recommend either going for our Sunflower Hearts or our Premium No Grow Seed Mix. To begin with, we recommend going for a 2kg if you have a small feeding space, or 5kg for larger spaces.

Next, you'll need something to hold the food. Feeders can be bought individually or as a bundle.

If you want to feed different foods simply buy the feeder to match the food. For example if you ant to buy peanuts, buy a peanut feeder. You can buy these individually, or to save money we offer some bundles which include the feeers and feeding station at a discount.

If you want to test the waters buy a single food type and a small feeder.

Remember you can always add to these later, so just buy what yo uneed to begin with.

As a rule, match the feeder to the food: a seed feeder for hearts and mixes, a mesh feeder for peanuts, a narrow-port feeder for niger, and a cage for suet.

You might of seen we offer 'caged' and 'squirrel proof' feeders too. These are specially designed to stop other creatures from getting to your feeders - especially squirrels who love it when you put out a free, easy snack for them. The problem is, they have sharp teeth and will chew through a feeder to get to the food! We wouldn't recommend you go straight for one unless it becomes necessary.

If you'd rather keep everything in one place, a feeding station brings feeders, a water dish and a seed tray together on a single pole — tidy, self-contained, and easily moved to the perfect spot.

If you're lucky enough to have tree's in your garden where you could hang the feeders, take a look at our Hooks section and pick one large enough for your garden.

Allow a few days for the birds to find your feeders and then our advice becomes simple - enjoy!

If the birds haven't found your feeders within a few days, try moving them somewhere else. This is usually because the birds have seen something we haven't - for example if your feeders are too out in the open then they become easy prey for birds of prey. Similarly if they're too close to a fence, they might be worried about cats.

Contrary to older advice, feeding is worthwhile throughout the year. Put food out consistently and the birds will come to treat your garden as part of their daily round. With natural sources of food decreasing, feeding them regularly really does make a difference.