Because I mentioned they can handle a tiny bit of salt but you dont want to feed them too much. There are several things you need to know before you start feeding your garden squirrels.
These give larger birds better access to peanuts.
Can you feed birds salted peanuts. There is no scientific data to prove that the periodic use of salted peanuts does harm to birds. This is partly because of the very small amount of salt usually found on peanuts and the fact that peanuts typically make up a small percentage of a feeder birds daily diet. What food kills birds instantly.
There is no scientific data to prove that the periodic use of salted peanuts does harm to birds. This is partly because of the very small amount of salt usually found on peanuts and the fact that peanuts typically make up a small percentage of a feeder birds daily diet. Why are peanuts bad for parrots.
The peanuts you should never offer to birds however are those that are designed for human tastes. No seasoned salted smoked or candy-coated peanuts are suitable for birds. The spices and seasonings can be unhealthy or even dangerous for birds to consume.
Similarly no baked goods or other sugary treats should be shared with birds. Birds will find the peanuts and eat them but it can also be pretty messy. The best types of feeder to put peanuts out on are open feeders like tray or platform feeders.
These give larger birds better access to peanuts. You can also put them in a mesh feeder to prevent birds from taking the peanuts away. How NOT to Feed Peanuts to Backyard Birds While some backyard birds love peanuts make sure you are ONLY offering peanuts and not other ingredients like salt sugar chocolate etc.
A handful of unsalted peanuts is fine but not salted or spiced peanuts or chocolate coated peanut treats for example. So no cake cookies or candy containing peanuts. There is no scientific study that concluded that you should not feed salted peanuts to the birds.
But the vets recommend sticking to crushed or raw peanut granules. The reason too much salt is not right for their body leading to salt ingestion issues in birds. Further this might lead to dehydration in them.
All posts above are correct that you should only use raw peanuts without salt or sugar. But since you have given the birds salt or sugar in the past I wouldnt worry too much. You can go to McDonalds and watch the McDonalds Sparrows eat salted french fries daily and continue to nest and breed all Summer long.
Roasted unsalted peanuts are the best whether in the shell or not. Rose and MaryE are correct in saying salt is a no-no for wild birds. Marine birds have evolved systems to deal with the salt content of water and their food.
Also be sure to always use roasted nuts too not raw. First off dont offer salted peanuts or give birds your leftovers from the ball game. Next if its damp or rainy in your area clean out those feeders because like other seed peanuts can get moldy.
If you know its going to be rainy conserve by just putting out a few peanuts at a time. Learn how to clean bird feeders. Even feeding human gradeorganic peanuts can be a health hazard to your bird.
If you cannot resist giving your parrot a peanut then feed only out of shell dry roasted and unsalted peanuts. Similarly are peanuts dangerous for birds. Aflatoxin is a liver toxin and is dangerous for parrots.
You can feed birds whole peanuts or shelled peanuts or peanut pieces. You can feed birds peanuts in suet peanuts mixed in with other bird seed and even peanut butter. Feed birds roasted peanuts not raw.
Legumes including beans peas soy beans and peanuts contain trypsin inhibitors. With that being said we do advise that you source your peanuts responsibly because they can cause health problems to birds if they are not to a decent standard. Avoid feeding roasted salted or any flavoured peanuts to wild birds as they are unable to properly.
The problem arises when those peanuts are salted because salted peanuts dehydrate the bird and they need to drink water to cope with it. However too much consumption of water can cause liquid droppings and even make them sick or lose appetite. If you are unsure whether peanuts pecans hazelnuts almonds or walnuts are salted taste them yourself before feeding them.
Because I mentioned they can handle a tiny bit of salt but you dont want to feed them too much. There are several things you need to know before you start feeding your garden squirrels.