Wildlife Welfare

Wild Bird Garden Welfare Support

Garden feeding and habitat provision for wild birds provides welfare benefits through supplementary nutrition during resource-scarce periods.

Key Facts

Garden feeding is particularly valuable during cold weather and drought when natural food is scarce
High-energy foods including suet, black sunflower seeds, and peanuts are most valuable in winter
Clean feeders and fresh water reduce disease transmission at feeding stations
Native plants provide year-round food and nesting habitat superior to feeders alone
Cat predation at garden feeding stations causes significant welfare harm to visiting birds

Welfare Considerations

Garden bird welfare support through feeding, water provision, and habitat planting provides direct welfare benefits to individual birds while building public connection to wildlife. Hygiene and cat management are important to prevent feeding stations causing welfare harm through disease or predation.

What You Can Do

Clean bird feeders regularly to prevent disease transmission between birds
Provide a clean water source for drinking and bathing year-round
Plant native species including berry-bearing shrubs to provide natural food sources