wild birds

[BRIGHT SPARK]

i love to feed the wild birds that come into my garden, but the peanuts and fat balls are very expensive. bread is not suitable for them can anyone suggest any other cheap alternative foods. ps i also have a fox, squirrel, badger, hedgehog and rabbit feed.

[RATTER15]

Make your own fat balls with bird seed and suet!!!

[bimbo123456]

Also possible to use dripping or lard. You melt it in a pan, allow to cool until just starting to resolidfy then add the bird seed. If you are really keen you can keep the fat from cooking red meat by letting it cool and skimming it off the top. Melt is same was as shop bought. Birds aren't vegetarians! FYI be care not to leave any out overnight as it will attract rats. eeugh! Maybe you should change your ab name to Dr Doolittle? Good luck

[paddywak]

One I saw on Blue Peter years ago, cut the bottom off a small plastic bottle, wash out and thread a string thru, fill with a mixture of nuts and seeds and then pour in your melted fat. When it has set cut away the plastic and use the string to hang up in trees bushes etc.

[masterchef]

I buy bags of small apples from Tesco. quarter them and put them out on the bird table.
They also like cake and biscuits crushed

[bensmum]

I buy the cheap scones from supermarkets and mix in some more dried fruit and they love it. They also like old bits of cheese grated up. I have a very enterprising squirrel who manages to get into the supposedly squirrel-proof feeders but they love peanuts as do badgers. I know that cat food can be left out for hedgehogs but that could attract rats too.

[Cheekystar]

try going to poundstrechers they always have wild bird food at really reasonable prices!

[Cetti]

They don't need fat balls, particularly at this time of year, or even peanuts, as the natural food is in plentiful supply. But as a supplement I buy economy digestives and rich tea biscuits which has all the nutrients they need, plus they love it!