Why we don't add vitamins and preservatives to our bird food blends

2 min read
Why we don't add vitamins and preservatives to our bird food blends

Some bird food brands advertise the fact they supplement their foods with calcium, vitamins and preservatives. Often the additives are give fancy names, and the preservatives might be referred to as "microbacterial".

When I started mixing my bird foods, I felt like I was missing a trick - should I be including an extra vitamin in my foods? Were my foods of lower value because they didn't contain a preservative? Would customers choose a different blend over mine because mine was lacking the extra supplements? It was only when I started really doing the research that I learned that the lack of additives in my food was actually a good thing.

 

When bird food blends are made up of lower quality ingredients, such as wheat, maize (or even the dried peas, rice, lentils and dog biscuits included in some commercial blends), they need the nutrition to be added back in. When foods are less likely to be eaten, they hang around in the feeder and rot, so are more likely to spread diseases.

 

I leave out wheat and filler ingredients that other manufacturers use to pad out their recipes. They are already packed with nutrition that can be easily absorbed, so there is no need to add any extra. My bird food blends contain fatty acids, protein, fats, essential oils, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium, vitamins A, E, C, B-3 and B-6, iron and amino acids. I change the recipe seasonally to ensure the birds are getting what they need throughout nesting, breeding, moulting and the cold winter weather. When the birds need a little extra calcium during breeding season I use oyster shell grit - a natural ingredient packed with naturally occurring calcium.

 

As any of my customers will tell you, my bird food doesn't hang around - the birds can empty a feeder within a matter of minutes, so your food blend from A Little Bird Co is unlikely to sit for long enough to need any kind of preservative or antibacterial additive. I suggest putting out just enough food for the birds to get through each day, emptying any uneaten food (in the unlikely event there is some) at the end of each day and thoroughly cleaning your bird feeders with a warm water and mild detergent solution every couple of weeks to prevent bacterial growth. The Squirrel Buster feeder that I recommend is well ventilated to ensure that air is getting to the food.

 

Just like it's not ideal for us to live on McDonalds supplemented by a multivitamin, it's not great for the birds in your garden to eat nutrition-free food containing additives!

 

My bird food blends are available in three sizes, so you can buy just the right amount for your garden, and all of my packaging is compostable.

Learn more about what your garden birds need throughout the year in this blog post.

 

Get your bag today at alittlebirdcompany.co.uk!

Meet the author!

Clare Cahill is an enthusiastic bird lover with a passion for observing and learning about the incredible variety of birds around us. While she doesn’t have a formal degree in ornithology, Clare has dedicated countless hours to reading birding books and exploring nature, constantly expanding her knowledge and deepening her love for wildlife.

For Clare, birdwatching brings a sense of calm and connection to the world, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. She believes that the more we connect with nature, the more we can do to protect and conserve it. Through her writing, Clare hopes to inspire others to take a moment to pause, look up, and appreciate the wonderful birds that share our spaces.

Meet Clare

The seasonal bird food brand

We're a little company, supporting little birds. Find out more about what sets us apart.

  • Seasonal

    Birds have different dietary needs throughout the year, from nesting to moulting and surviving colder months. To support these changes, we’ve created seasonal blends – order a Seasonal Bird Food bag, and we’ll adjust the blend to match the season, making it easy to do something great for the birds.

  • Sustainable

    Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We don't farm, process, and transport cheap filler ingredients that birds simply kick to the floor. Instead, we focus on premium ingredients they love. Our packaging is compostable, and our bird feeders and nest boxes are tested for durability and longevity.

  • Songbird

    We design our food and select our range of feeders with little birds in mind. Every ingredient in our blends is chosen because small birds love it, simplifying your bird feeding routine. Our feeders provide safe access to food while helping to keep out larger, more dominant species. Look out for robins, blue tits, wrens, finches and more visiting your garden for our food.

  • Support

    With birds in your garden, you’re never alone - they’re the friends who always visit. Feeding them supports wildlife conservation while bringing joy and calm. Whether spotting a new species or simply watching their daily routines, just ten minutes a day strengthens your connection with nature and boosts your wellbeing.

When life feels busy, the birds keep it simple.

There’s something lovely about how feeding the birds becomes part of the rhythm of your day. A scoop of seed, a clean dish of water - and then a pause, just to watch who turns up. It doesn’t have to take long, but those moments can be surprisingly grounding. A little burst of mindfulness, fresh air, a chance to notice your garden as it changes throughout the seasons, and the cheerful flutter of wings - it’s good for the soul.

Join our flock of bird enthusiasts who share a passion for sustainable and thoughtful bird feeding.

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From our popular seasonal bird food to the Squirrel Buster squirrel resistant bird feeder, our range is designed to help you to create a haven for little birds in your garden.