Is porridge a suitable food for wild garden birds?

[Sandy-Wroe]

Not cooked, just the dry oats.

[dizmouk2009]

Yes.

[dizmouk2009]

Porridge, nuts, dried insects, etc just make sure it stays dry.

[dizmouk2009]

Oh also they love muesli, we feed our wild birds muesli every day!

[beejay1124]

hi sandy- i have fed them it in the past
might be better cooked tho as dry food likeporridge may swell up in their stomachs

[Sandy-Wroe]

I'll add an extra portion when I boil the breakfast later. I'll put it out with a few dry oats and see which they prefer.

[dizmouk2009]

The problem with putting cooked food out in this weather is that it can, if not eaten within a few hours, freeze. I have the same problem when trying to feed my chickens with food i've just cooked, it freezes so fast.

[beejay1124]

http://www.rspbliverp...rg.uk/helpingfood.htm
sandy - scroll down this---RSPB recommend dry porridge oats!

[dizmouk2009]

Although it doesn't happen very often because with 18 or so chickens food doesn't last very long. We have wild squrrels as well as wild birds so food doesn't hang about in the bird feeders either - we use old pig water troughs.

[Sandy-Wroe]

Dry oats it is then. To be honest, I'd have felt a bit foolish making a cooked breakfast for our feathered friends.
Thank you Beejay and Dizmouk

[dizmouk2009]

No problem. To be honest I would of thought that cooked food would attract animals due to the smell traveling, especially if you have neighbours with cats.

[beejay1124]

agree with diz's muesli suggestion too-
Sandy-Gerry Anderson show has had bird feed advice on it last couple of mornings- and someone had said they buy own brand muesli and feed it to the birds-works out cheaper than the wild bird seed

[dizmouk2009]

I buy 25KG bags for about £13 which lasts around 3 weeks or so. Better buying in bulk from a huge wholesale pet shop.