With it being cold outside lately, I replaced our hummingbird feeders with suet feeders for now. I can’t put the suet feeders out during the summer because they melt, and that’s not pleasant. We have a thistle sock in the tree year-round and then a hook in the front and back to hang other feeders on, normally the hummingbird feeders.
I’ve discovered that the suet feeder in the back generally lasts about three days while the one out front lasts about nine. The birds up front get spooked a lot more with neighbors coming and going often, so the birds don’t spend as much time there as they do in the back. But all that means that we’re going through a lot of suet blocks right now.
I was at the store buying more suet blocks a week or so ago and commented to the cashier that the birds were going through them quickly. She replied by saying it could quickly turn into an expensive hobby.
An expensive hobby? Each suet block costs less than a dollar. With two suet feeders we are probably going through them a lot faster than if we just had one. I bought my bag of thistle seed so many years ago that I can’t remember when I actually bought it. And the hummingbird feeders take less than a cup of sugar a week, even in the summer when it goes quickly, and even with two feeders.
I tend to think of it as cheap pets. We didn’t have to purchase the pets in our backyard. We don’t have to take them to the vet. We don’t have to provide shelter for them (although that is a definite possibility). We don’t have to take them out for walks or clean up after them. And if we stop feeding them, it isn’t a case of animal cruelty and they won’t die.
In my opinion, back yard wild birds are the best pet ever. All the enjoyment without any of the responsibility! And they’re a lot of fun to watch, especially when they get suet all over their faces.
I am an educator and PhD. I quilt, belly dance, run, read, and try to grow things. I am a Mormon. I am infertile. I am a daughter, sister, aunt, grand-daughter, friend, wife, and mom.
Brett L. Dennis
Mama g
Giggles
AmandaStretch
We love to feed the wild birds and then everything else that comes to the feeders. At one time we had 28 bird feeders out side. When we went to buy all of our seeds and suet at Tractor Supply, they asked us if we needed the farm discount and if we had a farm card. 🙂
I think when you get to 28 feeders it can become an expensive hobby. Keeping it to three right now keeps our costs down.
Our yard would be crazy if we had 28 feeders in our small backyard! :bird:
What I’m worried about is that feeding them is a case of animal cruelty and they might die. Have you seen the way they fight over your suet?
I like the picture at the bottom where he’s looking right at you.
Any chance you could put out a penguin feeder? :brett:
You figure out what a penguin feeder looks like, and a way for it to not smell like fish, and I’ll put one out there. :brett: :lisa:
Ooh. I could get a bird feeder for our balcony!
How fun to have hummingbirds. I do love them and the pictures are wonderful
I love Pippin because I don’t have the responsibility but I can enjoy him when Kim comes over.
Hmmmm…. ideas…. Bird feeder for the summer…
Hey!!
I nominated you for a Liebster Award! No idea how many followers you have, but it is just something fun!
Check it out here:
http://southernhope1229.blogspot.com/2013/02/liebster-liebster.html
I love birds. 🙂
Pingback, 5 January 2014 at 7:41 pm
Summary of 2013 on the blog | Random Giggles