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Fat balls
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Message 1.Â
Posted by marcia (U14085462) on Wednesday, 14th April 2010
I know this isn't a gardening query but recently I heard a radio programme where panellists were laughing and mocking people who hang fat balls up for the birds "with the nets still on". One of the panellists was quite incredulous.
I've always done this but apparently the plastic mesh is dangerous to birds. I just pick up the empty nets and put them in for plastic re-cycling.
How else are fat balls fed to birds?
I thought I had to ask this bizarre question because I bought a bumper pack recently and the nets are all open both ends. It's got me wondering; are we supposed to crumble them first? -
Message 2
Posted by gerald (U3837061) on Wednesday, 14th April 2010
The birds can get their feet caught in the net when they are trying to feed but you can get feeders to put the balls in.
In the winter we make our own suet cakes and hang some in the trees and crumble some onto tables for blackbirds and robins. For the ones we hang in trees we use the plastic hanger from shop bought cakes and just keep reusing them.
Take a look at for some examples. -
Message 3
Posted by darren p (U8518743) on Wednesday, 14th April 2010
i would suggest the laughing panelist to be an idiot, but that is my view- i hang fatballs with the nets intact- never had a problem, in fact the birds only use the netted fatballs- the ones i put into a wire cage they ignore. never heard of a bird getting stuck- they are far too agile for that.
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Message 4
Posted by darren p (U8518743) on Wednesday, 14th April 2010
hey gerald- what recipe do you use for suet cakes??? i will have a try
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Message 5
Posted by koala_girl (U12702629) on Wednesday, 14th April 2010
I must admit that I put fat balls out in their nets for years and no birds were ever caught in them. I asked around at work and couldn't find anyone who had seen it either. I suppose somebody somewhere must have had it happen.
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Message 6
Posted by Lavande (U2362070) on Wednesday, 14th April 2010
This message is only related in that it was another radio programme comment that I found quite 'iffy'
It was about cuttings and swapping plants. One panel gardener said that if you receive a plant or cutting from someone it can only be because that person does not want it in his own garden. He was much more scathing than that but I don't want to misquote. It was the Â鶹Éç gardeners programme on a Sunday afternoon and I was quite taken aback because my garden is full of plants given to me in kindness and with good faith. Likewise I have given cuttings of favourite plants - always planting them in new soil to make sure I don't give away my weeds too. I never give plants away just because I don't like or want and I always hope they are given a good home. -
Message 7
Posted by marcia (U14085462) on Wednesday, 14th April 2010
Same here Lavande. I've given away lots of nice things from my garden that I have plenty of and can spare, to friends and family alike.
I can't think of any plants in my garden I don't like! -
Message 8
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Wednesday, 14th April 2010
I have loads I don't like but they're pernicious weeds that just come back all the time.
When I first started this garden I was given loads of free plants by a woman in the village and most of these turned out to be of the "one's you don't want" variety - perennial cornflower, valerian and other self seeding or suckering or layering thugs.
However, I'm always taking cuttings and potting up divisions of my garden plants to offer to or swap with other gardeners. Yesterday for example, I gave away a dozen hosta divisions I'd potted up last autumn and the recipients were delighted. Such plant swaps and gifts are half the fun of gardening. -
Message 9
Posted by joanybird (U11052594) on Thursday, 15th April 2010
One panel gardener said that if you receive a plant or cutting from someone it can only be because that person does not want it in his own garden. He was much more scathing than that but I don't want to misquote.Â
I can't remember the context exactly, but I think, to be fair, this was said very much 'tongue in cheek'
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Message 10
Posted by nanpickle (U14258493) on Friday, 16th April 2010
Well if anyone would like some ground elder, please come along and help yourself - you can have bucketsful all free of charge !! Nan x
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Message 11
Posted by butterflyblue (U14402996) on Friday, 16th April 2010
I have always put the fat balls out with the nets on(mock me if you wish..
)..just had a wildlife magagzine in the post and it does say in there to take the nets off just incase.
I have to be careful where i put mine, as the dog stands on the trampoline and scoffs them! -
Message 12
Posted by GraciePetunia (U14181526) on Saturday, 17th April 2010
I always remove the nets after a Bluetit got its leg trapped in one of the fatballs, it was left hanging there until I managed to rescue it. Not a pleasent sight and I would never want that to happen again!
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Message 13
Posted by JakiB (U4322875) on Sunday, 18th April 2010
Fat balls should always be removed from their nets before feeding, I've seen birds getting trapped before now. Fat ball feeders are very cheap and hold about 5 or 6 balls at a time - excellent!
As for dogs eating fat balls - you should move them out of reach of the dog. Fat balls are EXTREMELY DANGEROUS to dogs because they can clog up in the stomach resulting in severe pain and possibly death!
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Message 14
Posted by butterflyblue (U14402996) on Sunday, 18th April 2010
She got one once when she was younger, doesn't get the chance now! I use hangers and have still put them in with the net on...only the odd one left in the pack ever got hung out as is.
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Message 15
Posted by Lavande (U2362070) on Monday, 19th April 2010
Did you hear the programme too Joanybird? I tried to find the comment on the 'listen again' facility but it is 45 minutes long and the sun is shining.... Anyway, it is perfectly possible it was tongue in cheek – but not like me to miss picking up on that
) It's not hugely important other than the fact that, rightly or wrongly, I thought it a bit strong but that's why I didn't quote in case I was wrong because I do enjoy the programme. And it is fun to share and we love all our plants, some of which may spread more enthusiastically than others 
that point I do understand, but I think people genuinely give with the best of intentions. When starting out people tend to give the plants that spread quickly because usually (well me) we want a quick result – it's motivating and then we can start being choosy ourselves. I've gained and learned so much through these exchanges and certain ones I keep an eye on and give a warning if giving a cutting Thanks for the comments everyone and I'm sorry I highjacked the fatballs Marcia. I'm still hanging mine out and love watching the antics of the little bluetits -
Message 16
Posted by kathy (U10755526) on Tuesday, 20th April 2010
I have started to use the old coconut shell feeders when they are empty. I take the net off the fatball and sit it in the shell. Then I put it in the microwave (on a piece of kitchen roll!) for 15 to 20 seconds. I check to see if it's soft enough to squish down into the shell shape then leave to cool. Mind you,the birds have always preferred the original coconuts.
Kathy -
Message 17
Posted by joanybird (U11052594) on Tuesday, 20th April 2010
Hi Lavande. I had a listen to the replay of the programme I thought the comment was included in - and it wasn't. So maybe we just heard it differently
To keep 'on topic' - the birds in my garden totally ignore the fat balls, and any mixed seed I put out. I think I've spoilt them with the sunflower seeds -
Message 18
Posted by JakiB (U4322875) on Tuesday, 20th April 2010
Kathy -
That's a great idea, I'll have to try it. It will give the birds something different to hang on to!
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