A lot of people like to feed birds in their garden, but there is a common leftover you need to stop leaving out in April
Baby chicks can be greatly harmed or even die if you leave out certain leftovers in spring (Image: sandra standbridge via Getty Images)
April can be a lovely month and, despite the frequent showers typical of this time of year, it’s when flowers burst into bloom and more birds begin visiting our gardens. Spring marks the nesting season for birds, when they require extra food to help their chicks develop properly and stand the best chance of survival.
Many gardeners put out food for birds, and while this is a thoughtful gesture, it can actually cause serious harm – even proving fatal to chicks in severe cases – if you’re simply leaving out scraps. Plenty of people scatter bread on their garden sheds or lawns for birds, but experts at the RSPB have cautioned it’s among the worst things to leave outside at present.
Bread is one of the worst things to feed birds in spring(Image: Getty)
The experts warned: “You should never put out dry, hard foods or bread during the spring or summer months. Parent birds might take these back to their nests and their young can choke on it.”
Why can you not feed birds bread?
It’s a widespread misconception across Britain that bread is beneficial for birds, as many of us have cherished childhood memories of feeding the ducks with it.
However, bread consists mainly of carbohydrates and lacks the nutrients birds require to maintain good health.
When birds consume large amounts of bread rather than their natural diet of insects or seeds, they may feel satisfied but can actually become malnourished despite not feeling hungry.
Bread poses a choking risk for baby chicks, but the bigger concern is nutritional deficiency. Without proper nutrients during their early development, they can develop Angel Wing, a permanent deformity they’ll carry throughout their lives.
Bread can really harm baby chicks in spring and stop them from growing properly(Image: Getty)
While a modest amount of bread is unlikely to seriously harm adult birds during most of the year, they should never receive excessive quantities. Right now in April, it can genuinely harm baby birds and could easily prove fatal.
During this period, parent birds are more inclined to seek food at garden feeders rather than venturing far from their nests, making it vitally important to understand what to feed birds if you want your local wildlife to thrive and remain healthy.
What should you feed birds instead?
Currently, the very best option is high-protein, soft foods that are simple for them to consume. Birds particularly enjoy mealworms or waxworms, which provide essential nutrients and deliver substantial energy.
Seeds such as sunflower, nyjer or premium quality mixtures available from local pet shops are also popular. If purchasing bird seed isn’t within your budget, chopped apples and pears make excellent alternatives, packed with vitamins that particularly benefit baby birds.
It is safer to leave out soft and cut up fruit or seeds for birds(Image: Getty)
It’s wise to steer clear of suet balls. While beneficial for birds generally, they tend to liquify rapidly in warm weather, potentially coating bird feathers and hampering their ability to fly or groom themselves properly. Regardless of what you’re feeding birds, they’ll always truly value having a secure spot to drink water, so maintaining a functioning bird bath is one of the most vital ways to keep your local wildlife content in spring.
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