Taming Blackbirds

[pusskin]

What would you put on the ground to encourage blackbirds to come and hopefully get near you to feed off your hands? (I envy Barmaid!) lol
I have robins 2 foot away munching on porridge oats that i put out every day.
Any ideas please Abers x

[mrs.chappie]

^^^I mean looking out for the pheasant....not the rat.

[ladybirder]

Live Mealworms are absolutely the best thing you can feed this time of year. They are perfect for the adults and babies alike, moist and full of protein. Bread has no nutritional value for birds, it's junk food. 500g of live mealworms last me 14-21 days. I put some out in the early morning and a few more after lunch. I keep them in the veg compartment in the bottom of the fridge in the breathable package they come in. I chuck in a bit of bran a few times and a slice of apple or carrot for moisture every couple of days. I pay £8.50 for 500g of regular size with free postage from:

http://www.livefoodsdirect.co.uk/Category/Regular

I won't buy more than 500g at a time as I don't want them to last too long and hatch or whatever you call it.

If you put out raisins or sultanas, best to soak them first.

[Barmaid]

Ooohhh that's a good idea Ladybirder.

I do buy dried ones for my girls off ebay, but live ones sound so much better. Not sure Mr BM would let me keep them in the fridge though (he is a big girl's blouse).

[ladybirder]

BM, I was a bit squeemish at first but in the fridge they are very still, as you would be:-) They don't smell. There is usually a sheet of crumpled up newspaper in the bag and they hide in the creases. He won't even know they're there. He'll think you're mad mind, keep some crumpled up newspaper, in a bag, in the fridge.

[Barmaid]

He already thinks I am mad! I just hope he doesn't go for a midnight snack....... ;)

[ladybirder]

OMG. Just imagine it LOL.

[pusskin]

Mmm, think I'll go for that ladybirder.
Would only buy a small quantity at a time though. (put in fridge)
Barmaid will try it and so will I! These birds are precious and wouldnt it be horrid if they disappeared from our gardens.
Thanks to every reply i have recieved on this post.
Sleep well Abers x

[pusskin]

Ha ha why am i slow to reply to ya?
When i look up there are more aaaaaaanswers. lol
My sons have kept maggots and stuff in the fridges over the yrs--yuck yuck lol.

[paddywak]

They love worms. Years ago I used to do my dads garden for him and there was always a blackbirds nest in the hedge. Almost as soon as I appeared so did the blackbird who'd sit patiently about six inches from me waiting for me to turn up a worm were upon he'd pounce on it and off he'd go to the nest. A couple of minutes later he'd be back looking at me as if to say "get your finger out I've a wife and five kids to feed"

[ladybirder]

Maggots I couldn't stomach pusskin, but mealworms are OK. Honestly. Do not put them in a tupperware box tough or you'll suffocate them.

[horseshoes]

There used to be a tame (mrs) blackbird who used to come into our office for crumbs - up some steps and in through the glass door. Boss hated it because she used to poop on the carpet.

[ladybirder]

^
h

[mrs.chappie]

I buy mine (dried) from an eBay seller at £68 for 10 kilos, free postage.

[pusskin]

your posts are so interesting making me chuckle! haha
You've all given me so many good ideas x

[mrs.chappie]

In my old house I used to keep a tub of mealworms on my porch. A regular blackbird knew the tub held mealworms and he used to sit on the lid, waiting for me to put some worms out.

[Maydup]

We're luck enough to have a number of blackbirds in the garden They never feed off the feeders, always the ground, and definitely enjoy worms best of all. At a push and when they're feeding a family, they'll enjoy any left over fruit we put out such as apples and plums.

[sherrardk]

We have a cheeky blackbird in the garden but I find him creepy. I just don't like them for some reason, I like other birds and animals though (but not rats). Sorry.

[ladybirder]

They have a lovely song though sherr. I love to hear mine chuntering away in the border until dark and sometimes later. And they start again really early in the morning.

[sherrardk]

It's totally irrational. It's their super yellow beaks that get on my nerves. We have got a nest with four sparrow eggs in though - discovered it when cutting the ivy back yesterday (had to be done, it was dragging the fence down). Covered it back up and mam and dad went back to the nest. I'm not all bad.

[society]

There a all kinds on AB and I've just discovered the wormy bunch. x :)