Fat Balls in Netting

[starlight]

I often read that putting out fat balls in the netting they're sold in is not a good idea. At the same time, I also see illustrations in some respectable bird books showing these being hung on feeders in their netting.

So, it is OK or isn't it? :confused:

[Solomon]

Birds can get trapped in them. They certainly make life easier, but when you think of the size of the holes, and the size of a birds foot, its easy to see how they can get stuck.

[starlight]

Hi Solomon and thanks for your reply :)

What you say is what I'd read and thought it made sense, so I've never used the netting. But when I saw books, one being the very delightful "Secret Lives of Garden Birds" - a RSPB book - filled with illustrations of fat balls and peanuts in netting, it made it look like the RSPB condones netting and it made me wonder if perhaps it's a question of the quality of the netting, in the same way as cheap seed mixes can be filled with all sorts of rubbish...?

[Solomon]

I think its more a matter of the size of the holes. With the bird fluttering about (in my garden, they are usually fighting for "pecking rights"), a smaller hole will probably trap the bird faster than a larger one. The only thing is, the smaller holes are needed to stop the brocken down bits of ball dropping out of the net.

Ive made my own feeders out of 6mm mesh (availble from Wickes, B&Q etc), the galvanised stuff that wont rot. Its pretty easy - get the size of the balls, add on 1/2 an inch, wrap the mesh around and tie off.

[starlight]

Very interesting, thanks.

[storye_book]

Re the RSPB - in their latest (Winter 06) members' mag their star reader's letter (which won a free pair of £100 bins) says all plastic mesh bags for peanuts should be banned, and so should photos and publicity for same (from all sources). It seems that the RSPB has at last made up its mind. I too have one or two good classic monographs on tits, and these carry pix of nuts in plastic nets - sadly these books can't be recalled and replaced. I've noticed in the past few weeks that some birdfood sellers feature fatballs in plastic nets in their catalogues, but they advise in the small print that the nets are removed before feeding, saying that the nets are to keep your hands clean only. I have also seen netted fatballs and peanuts in supermarkets recently - again the reason given is clean/convenient handling/packaging. CJ is influential in these matters - perhaps Mr Whittles can do something?

[starlight]

It makes it all a bit confusing though, doesn't it?

I have to admit that whereas I'm not condoning the use of the netting, I'm not sure I buy the excuse of it being there to keep one's hands clean... if one removes the nets (with fat balls at least, maybe not for peanuts) then one still needs to clean one's hands as they get greasy and smelly afterwards. As for packaging, they could package them in celophane in that case, same as with fat and suet blocks. One can also buy various purpose-made hangers for fatballs in their netting, some being even really very nice decoratives ones (not those usual ones with the little flat robin at the top).

I certainly agree that some sort of decision or "official" recommendation should be made regarding the use of these nets, whether for or against; and if for, then to specify the type and quality of the netting?

[storye_book]

hi starlight - yes i agree with you - some companies are just making excuses, and the matter should be cleared up officially.

[Solomon]

The only advantage Ive seen with regard to netting is the hanging of the ball with it - just hook it onto something, and away you go. No muss no fuss. Ive come across mesh feeders though (the same ones you use for peanuts) that the balls will fit into, which makes life a bit easier. Instead of having balls all round the garden (like I used to), they're all in one place, and its easier for the birds to grab onto, too.

Ive made my own feeders, and just use them now. The holes in the mesh are about the same size, but they are fixed in place, so the birds have no fear of getting their legs stuck.

I think they are put in mesh now because thats what people expect to see them in. And I suppose a bright green mesh makes them slightly more attractive to people? They dont exactly "stand out" otherwise, do they?

[storye_book]

Hi Solomon. You are to be congratulated for designing good, safe feeders that work. Shops selling fatballs would make more profit if they sold fatball feeders too. I daresay they could easily be persuaded by wholesalers.

[Jenny]

Totally agree with you Solomon - I never use nets. I've got a couple of the oblong red metal peanut feeders from CJ (can't recall if they still do them) and fill these with made up peanut cake mix plus some fruit or berries using a medium sized marg tub (fits almost perfectly). For the round peanut cake feeders (for starlings/blackbirds), those plastic tubs they sell very expensive soup in are also just about the right size!

And, thanks to advice from other forum members, I'm saving my marg/ice cream tubs ready for the meal worms next year - haven't told the posties yet - I might be banned after previous escapologist grubs!!:o

[Solomon]

LOL, have you had them escape too? My dad was most upset when the postman told him off. As if he could somehow do something about how the worms were packaged...

[Jenny]

Hi, Solomon

Yes - twice! They got loose in the post van on the ferry or en route from Glasgow - some got into letters for island residents and some made it back by return post. Our local sorting office was inundated (not just by mealworms but hysterical staff of both sexes!!) . Didn't get told off till second occurrence though, so your Dad had a rough deal - in fact my postie thought it so funny he refused to deliver the admonishing letter! But then, if one lives on a Scottish island, there's a different outlook on life!!

Confess (apologies to the birds) I've not ordered any for a couple of years owing to complaints but now that the staff and some residents who caused the most upset (NO sense of humour!) have gone, feel a bit safer for next spring! Daren't order a sackful though - can you imagine the chaos??????!:)

[Lisa]

Hi

In response to some of the issues raised regarding fat ball netting, Chris Whittles has issued the following statement:

"Firstly, let me say how pleased I am that the forum is proving so popular. It is very rewarding to see so many people sharing their knowledge and experiences. Recently I have seen a number of comments regarding fat balls and want to add my thoughts to the debate. Whilst there are risks involved when using red netting to feed peanuts, reports of birds becoming injured or distressed where red netting is in use is lower than those from fat ball netting.

Fat ball netting, or monofilament netting, is very fine. This means there is a greater risk of birds getting caught in the netting whilst feeding, potentially causing injury to their feet or tongues and becoming trapped.

To avoid any risk of the birds becoming injured, we recommend that any fat balls purchased should be removed from the netting and placed in a feeder or on a table to allow safe feeding.

Alternatively, why not try CJ’s Peanut Cake Squares or Peanut Cake Tubes which are safe, highly nutritious and easy to use. They are much better for the birds as they contain the perfect blend of animal and vegetable fats and are more attractive to a wider range of species all year round".

Mr Chris Whittles
Chairman, CJ Wildbird Foods

[Jenny]

In response to Mr Whittles' comments, could those of us who make up your peanut cake mix (and that's great value for money) have some advice on the proportion of animal and veg fats to use when doing so?

Also, would it be possible to have a cake mix like that including dried insects and/or berries? I've used your squares and they're extremely popular mixes but when two of them can be eaten in a day, a little too expensive for my pensioner budget! The tubes are a disaster here (not your fault) because the starlings, hoodies and seagulls wreak havoc on them, protected or not! The seagulls and hoodies round here are a bit like grey squirrels - it takes longer for me to set the problem than for them to solve it!! Maybe I'm just getting a bit brain dead!:rolleyes:

[Lisa]

Thank you for your feedback. The blend of fats that we use in the cakes has been formulated to a recipe specifically for the fat bars and squares we manufacture at CJ's. For the purpose of mixing the Bird Cake at home, the recommended mix of 90g of bird cake mix to 30g of beef or lamb suet is the optimum ratio for home mixing.



With regards to your comments about the additional ingredients in the bird cake mix, this is certainly something I will look into.




Thanks again for your feedback.