Nuts for birds

[jon1968]

Hi all, I've a jar of mixed nuts (Brazils/hazel/almond) left over from the festivities - are these alright to put out for the birds - they only normally get peanuts!?

[Rubberduckie]

I can't see any harm in it as long as they're not salted but give the birds a sporting chance by chopping the nuts up first!

[Cetti]

Do you have any raisins to go with the nuts.... then they can have a real post Christmas treat?

No, there's no harm in giving them your leftovers, in fact these particular nuts are very high in fat so you're doing them a favour at this time of year. Please make sure they are salt free though.

[spudqueen]

Yes, as long as unsalted they are fine. Nuthatches love brazil nuts stuck in a crevice in a tree.

[jon1968]

Thanks everyone, I knew about the unsalted bit. Isn't there a time of year when you have to stop putting nuts out?

[Cetti]

Not any more jon, feeding birds is now a constant all the year round thing as they become reliant on this source to keep up their energy levels when the natural food is scarce, or during a very cold spell. The only difference being that during the summer the nuts should either be in the form of granules or in an enclosed wire or plastic feeder.

[WendyS]

Having decided to go on a diet, I'm generously donating the remains of my Christmas shelled mixed nuts to the birds but firstly rising off all the salt and drying them. The bigger ones I'll chop up with a rolling pin, otherwise the squirrels will raid the bird table and demolish the lot!.

On the question of not putting out peanuts when baby birds are hatching, I find my bluetits just nibble little pieces off from those in the cage but at this time I put out more softer foods like finely grated cheese, Atora suet pellets and fatty oats which are gratefully accepted. I've even been known to buy small quantities of cheap fatty minced meat and put small quantities of that out at breeding time.