Wildlife Welfare

Wild Bird Garden Feeder Hygiene Disease Prevention

Dirty bird feeders spread fatal diseases including trichomonosis and salmonellosis among garden bird populations, making feeder hygiene a welfare priority.

Key Facts

Trichomonosis caused by Trichomonas gallinae has caused major greenfinch declines in the UK
Chaffinch and greenfinch are most affected by trichomonosis spread at feeders
Salmonellosis at feeders primarily affects house sparrows and finches
Feeder cleaning with mild disinfectant every 1-2 weeks significantly reduces disease spread
Temporarily removing feeders during disease outbreaks breaks transmission chains

Welfare Considerations

Trichomonosis causes progressive starvation as the throat lesion prevents swallowing - an agonising death that is entirely preventable through feeder hygiene. Garden bird feeders concentrate birds in a way that enables rapid disease spread. Regular cleaning and temporary removal during visible disease outbreaks are the most effective welfare interventions available to garden bird feeders.

What You Can Do

Clean bird feeders every 1-2 weeks with dilute disinfectant and rinse thoroughly
Remove feeders temporarily if sick birds are seen to break disease chains
Spread food on the ground as well as feeders to reduce bird concentration