To any Blue Birders, what is the best way to feed them

Matt@atx · Wed Apr 20, 2011 4:35 pm

when their eggs hatch in order to help them out? This is our first year for Blue Birds and we want to get them in the circle of care and protection with our Martins.
I hear Blue Birds are pretty receptive and become trusting with the people that look after and help them. Our male BB is one cute fellow always checking me out and what Im doing.
Should crickets or meal worms be fed live or frozen to these guys?
If meal worms, use the really small ones?
we will probably have to use a elevated feeder for them since my mom has pet cats at her place so we can keep these guys off the ground.

D'Nese · Wed Apr 20, 2011 5:02 pm

We started by using a dish from a planter. It should be made of ceramic so it won't blow away. I started by putting meal worms in the dish and placing the dish on one of the BB houses. Once they got use to it and were eating from it I made a makeshift hanger and hung it from a sheppards hook. With that you can slowly move it closer to a window, patio or deck. Our guys now eat from the deck on the rail. I've even gotten them use to my calling them. We mostly feed in the winter as usually they have plenty to eat in the spring and summer. Good Luck and I hope this helps. Let me know if it does

Gobbler T · Wed Apr 20, 2011 6:03 pm

I feed mine live crickets. I sit in the yard with my grandchildren and throw them one or two at a time as far as I can out in the grass. About 10-12 feet. And watch the BB swoop down and get them. The children love it! The BB sit high in a tree or on a line and once they catch on watch out

It don't take long! I guess what really matters is how comfortable your BBs are with you.

pugsleyhall · Wed Apr 20, 2011 7:55 pm

I "feed" mine exactly as D'Nese does, ceramic dish on top of house. The local Lowe's now carries dried mealworms, the bb prefer live but will settle for the dried ones, pet stores have them also. The bluebirds seem to wait for me to fill their dish everyday the babies are there and always start eating them before I walk away. I have never used crickets but they should be available lots of places also. Bluebirds are a blessing and being their landlord is an honor for us. Good luck.

Melissa

chickadee · Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:27 pm

I feed meal worms in the summer, to help out in the spring and when their young hatch. They perch in a apple tree about 20 ft from their box. I took a wood platform feeder that you put corn on for a squirrel,and put it on the tree. They found it and would eat from it. I have a bench under the tree and I sit right by them while they eat. I put live or dry meal worms in it. I also put grapes blue berry's in it.they have been coming for 3 years. This year a robin is in the aPple tree and found the worms. So I took a big songbird suet feeder cage and cut out the square suet part out of it, so it was just a cage. I put their dish in it so they could squeeze threw but not the robin. Great feeder but since the robin could not get the worms out she chases them away from it. So they now get their meals on the back of their box. The blue birds are pretty and fun. They are my next favorite next to the martins.

Guest · Thu Apr 21, 2011 7:18 am

There are Bluebird feeders available. Google to see your options. The one I like best is glass and cedar. It keeps the mealworms in the feeder, if you are using live worms. http://www.bluebirdsforever.com/feeders.html

Matt@atx · Thu Apr 21, 2011 9:23 am

Thank you to all of you for this helpful information. I will probably print this thread for reference and to allow my mom to read it for reference too since she would be the one feeding them. I do not think she realizes the interface she will enjoy with these birds by doing this.
I also have placed a Blaine Johnson's Sparrow Spooker up now which my mom keeps threatening to take down once I leave her place because she thinks its scaring other song birds from her feeders which are located close to The BB's new house.
I have warned her not to do this since there are Sparrows through out the land. No chances should be taken with every method of protection used as proven and shared by the experienced.
we are using a BJ's DRST on an elevated plateform as well so all is being done to aggressively address HOSP threats but I worry for their safety should my mother decide looking at finches eating HEB bought wild bird seed is more important then the protection of 2 first time Blue Bird adults and 5 Blue bird babies 10 feet away.

I got to get some meal worms
I will keep you updated D'nese..=)

KellyG · Thu Apr 21, 2011 2:16 pm

I use a tuna size can that I screwed to an electric fence post from Tractor Supply. It has a spike on the bottom and you can push it in the ground with your foot. I start with it near their house and then move it closer to my window. I feed them live mealworms when I feel that the parents are struggling to find enough bugs.

Matt@atx · Thu Apr 21, 2011 4:48 pm

Thank you for that information Kelly. Thats a good idea. I movable elevated feed stand using a fence pole with a spike you can punch in the ground with a foot stomp.
I have a similiar elevated platform to about face level for my Deluxe Repeating Sparrow Trap except I pound a 4ft long piece of Rebar in the ground with a sledge hammer, then insert the platform with the trap on top. This allows me to move it around.
didn't think of a smaller faster version with a spike and a tuna can for BB feeding... =) ..thanks!