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Limousin, France Fr

Cats v. birds? I would so much like to put up a bird feeder in my garden but is this just a restaurant menu for cats (mine included) Do you think the benefit to birds over the winter is worth the risk?




Answers

 

Can you make it catproof, mine is one of those on a metal pole with hanging feeders

8 Nov, 2012

 

We have both cats and many bird feeders. The feeders are mostly ones that hang on poles but I often put food on the floor. The cats love watching the birds and the birds are well aware of the cats and it is very rare for one of the cats to catch a bird. I would go as far as saying that the sparrow hawks probably takes as many birds as do the cats. Go ahead and feed the birds, they need it in winter.

8 Nov, 2012

 

My 'Shepherds Crook' style bird-feeder is sited close to trees and shrubs, this gives the birds plenty of shelter to dart in and out for food before our cat can get to them. I gave up with the bird table on the lawn, far too open and easy for the cat to access! Could you hang fat-balls and/or peanuts in prickly shrubs at all? The birds would thank you for doing so.

8 Nov, 2012

 

I have both cats and dogs, also feeders and baths for the birds of which I have many visiting every day, my feeders are all around the garden in trees, on the fences and on poles, like Bulba I also scatter some on the ground on occasion, the cats do stalk sometimes, they get short shrift and know they are in trouble if I spot them, a short sharp slap when they were learning as kittens has helped, my cats spend ages just watching and really can`t be bothered, its well worth the risk especially as we head more into winter....

8 Nov, 2012

 

yes it is worth while. But i found a neighbours cat hiding in a shrub and picking birds off. it killed them and just left them. So the bird feeders are now clear of the shrubs. At least the beautiful sparrowhawk eats what it kills.

9 Nov, 2012

 

Many thanks everyone for this kind advice! Have now ordered a bird feeder on a pole and spoken severely to my cat... (she is one of those who bring their 'owner' a dead bird or mouse as a treat).

9 Nov, 2012

 

you can put a bell on your cats anyway which will help .

12 Nov, 2012

 

cats get a lot of blame for pulling fish out of ponds but they dont very often if the truthe be known .

12 Nov, 2012

How do I say thanks?

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