Hygienic Bird Feeding - Vital Precautions

When a number of birds are attracted into an area to feed, the danger of disease increases. It is therefore essential that tables and feeders are checked and brushed or swept clean regularly to ensure there is no build up of food particles. Monitor your food supply carefully. If the food takes days to clear either from containers or the ground, reduce the amount of food offered.

Occasionally scrub clean any containers and your bird table or any solid feeding area using 10% disinfectant solution.

Water containers should be rinsed out daily during the warmer months and fresh water added. Unless the sides of the container become slimy or discoloured, there is not need to use a bleach or disinfectant. Should the need arise, please rinse out several times after treatment to ensure all of the chemical has been removed.

Collared doves are susceptible to Trichomoniasis (canker), a parasite of the upper respiratory tract. If they start dying, do not put out any food, except in tit feeders, for at least a month, since the disease is spread via food particles picked up by a sick bird which, unable to swallow, will spit it out complete with the infection. If you need a confirmation of the disease, your local vet may be able to carry out a post mortem. Most are helpful over such matters but we cannot guarantee that you will not be charged. Always take extra hygienic precautions when handling suspected sick birds.

Salmonella is present at a low level in wild bird populations, and poor hygiene at feeding stations can fuel a local outbreak. Green finches and house sparrows are most susceptible to this infection, which is transmitted by droppings from an infected bird.

To reduce the risk of diseases among birds, move the feeding site several times during the year and take the precautions already mentioned to try to keep litter and droppings in the feeding area to a minimum.

Drinking water

Birds need a source of water for drinking and bathing all year round. In hard frosts or warm weather it is vital. You can buy birdbaths from the RSPB and at garden centres. The inside of the bath should be rough - many plastic ones are too slippery. You can make a simple, shallow birdbath by sinking a zinc or rubber dustbin into the ground. Place a few stones in the bath to provide perches. Keep the bath clean and change the water frequently to prevent fouling. One useful tip for cold winter weather is to line the birdbath with a sheet of sturdy polythene so the ice can be removed easily. Provided that the birdbath is not a concrete one, it is wise to tip the water out at the end of the day and replace it in the morning to avoid the worst of the ice. Alternatively, stand the bath on a square or triangle of bricks within which you can place a slow-burning nightlight. Never put salt or anti-freeze in the water.

Caution: It is very important to change water daily and remove uneaten food regularly in warm weather

To find out more please visit the RSPB website .