Raisins and Sultannas

[Gandalf]

I know people here feed raisins and sultannas to their birds, so, today while out shopping I bought a couple of bags of each, not the dried variety.
Is it safe enough just to put in a bowl and place on the ground?

Many thanks.

[70007]

I would not see any problem with that, unless you have rats in the vicinity. I used to do that but the vermin forced me to only put them on a table.

I would not put too many out at once at first, but when the birds discover them you may find you are bankrupted if you attempt to keep up with demand.

[Gandalf]

70007: Many thanks for your reply. Will take on board what you say.

[Gandalf]

Have just been reading that people recommend you soak sultannas and raisins before feeding to birds. I thought that would apply to the dried product only. Do the members here soak them first?

[70007]

I can see the logic to soaking them first, because they swell up before the birds eat them. Maybe there is a worry that they will swell in the stomach causing digestive problems, but to be honest I dont know.

The problem is that I would have thought they would then become too large for baby birds to swallow whole, especially raisins. I always put them out dry but I would also welcome some 'official' advice on whether this is not recommended.

Moisture (or lack of it) is a problem for babies in a nest, so I imagine soaked sultanas or currants would be an advantage in that respect.

[PiratesAhoy!]

Have just been reading that people recommend you soak sultannas and raisins before feeding to birds. I thought that would apply to the dried product only. Do the members here soak them first?

My answer is "it depends". Some of the cheap raisins and sultanas are very dry, and need to be soaked overnight. Others are quite moist and are usually ok. I buy the cheap ones from Morrisons in the red packet (41p for 500g) and generally don't soak them, but if I buy them from the Co-op they do need soaking.

I had the same thoughts as 70007 a while ago about swelling up, but I doubt that's a problem, considering the amount of time it takes them to absorb a meaningful amount of water, and the time in which they'd be digested. I seriously doubt any bird would feed raisins/sultanas to chicks/fledglings, so I wouldn't worry about that aspect.

Our blackbirds prefer the non-soaked Morrisons brand sultanas, but the raisins are almost as good. With the soaked variety, I get the feeling they lose some 'taste', and the blackbirds have to have a couple of goes at swallowing them. The pirates (starlings) never seem to have much trouble, but they have huge beaks anyway, and are far too greedy to worry about little details like that ;)

[Gandalf]

"I buy the cheap ones from Morrisons in the red packet (41p for 500g) and generally don't soak them."
This is the exact brand I am talking about PA. Mind you, not surprising, seeing as we both live in Cheshire.

Many thanks.

[Chris]

You're probably well aware of this already, but ensure that, should you place raisins or sultanas in a bowl on the ground, that if you have a dog, that it doesn't eat any. Grapes and therefore raisins and sultanas are toxic to dogs; they can cause liver damage and in high enough doses are fatal.

I'm not certain if this goes for foxes as well but it's possibly a consideration.

[PiratesAhoy!]

Actually I had no idea! But then again I've never had a dog.

Thanks for the heads-up, Chris :)

[Chris]

It's not common - and I don't think any cases have been reported in the UK, but it's now recognised on the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Animal Poison Control Center database. It seems that some dogs suffer a toxic reaction to grapes while others may have no apparent problems at all.

[Gandalf]

You're probably well aware of this already, but ensure that, should you place raisins or sultanas in a bowl on the ground, that if you have a dog, that it doesn't eat any. Grapes and therefore raisins and sultanas are toxic to dogs; they can cause liver damage and in high enough doses are fatal.

I'm not certain if this goes for foxes as well but it's possibly a consideration.

Cheers Chris. Yes I am aware having read the info in the online foods section of CJs catalogue.
Many thanks