How to Feed Garden Birds: What Is Allowed?

Feeding birds in the garden: the legal situation

Many garden owners wonder whether feeding wild birds is permitted at all. The short answer is yes. There is no general ban on feeding birds in private gardens.

However, you must comply with certain legal requirements. Germany’s Animal Welfare Act provides the basis. Section 2 prohibits causing an animal pain, suffering or harm without reasonable cause.

Improper feeding can do exactly that. So do not give birds spoiled or unsuitable food. Make sure the feeding area is clean. Irresponsible feeding is not permitted.

What does species-appropriate feeding mean?

Species-appropriate means offering the right food for the right birds. Not every species eats the same things. Tits love high-fat foods such as peanuts. Finches prefer seeds.

So provide a range of different foods. This encourages biodiversity in your garden. A one-sided selection benefits only a few bird species.

Which bird food is suitable?

Suitable bird food consists of high-quality, natural ingredients. These include sunflower seeds, hemp seed, oats and dried berries. Unsalted peanuts and mealworms are also popular.

Husk-free food has advantages: it leaves no husks beneath the feeding area. Birds waste less energy while eating. Our

20 kg Deluxe bird food with mealworms, husk-free, for wild birds

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“The choice of food determines how successful feeding will be. Cheap mixes containing lots of fillers such as wheat grains are often ignored and cause more mess than benefit.”

Which foods are off-limits?

Salty, seasoned or sweetened foods are strictly off-limits. These include bacon, crisps, biscuits and salted nuts. Bread is also unsuitable. It swells in the stomach and provides hardly any nutrients.

You should also avoid dairy products. Birds cannot digest lactose. Cooked leftovers do not belong in a bird feeder.

How should I feed birds? The best method

The method is just as important as the food itself. You want to attract birds, not rats. You want to help, not spread disease.

Choose the feeding site carefully. A quiet but open location is ideal. Cats should not be able to reach it easily. Keeping it several metres away from glass panes helps prevent collisions.

Expert tip

Use different types of feeders: tube feeders for fine scattered food, suet ball feeders for fat-based food and special peanut feeders. This caters to different feeding habits and minimises waste caused by contamination. Our

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are perfect for these feeders.

Should I feed birds at ground level or up high?

Some birds, such as robins and blackbirds, feed on the ground. For them, you can scatter food over a small, open area. However, an elevated feeding table protects the food from moisture and other animals.

A bird table with a roof keeps out snow and rain. Clean it regularly. For a combination of both options, a versatile

Premium wild bird food set - scattered food 10kg, dried soldier fly larvae 5kg, suet balls 100 pcs. à 90g, high-energy suet mix 10kg

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Hygiene is essential: how to clean the feeding area

Dirty feeding areas are breeding grounds for pathogens. Bird droppings mix with damp, old food. This can lead to salmonella or trichomoniasis, putting entire bird populations at risk.

Thoroughly clean all feeders at least once a week. Remove old food and droppings. Scrub them with hot water and a brush. Do not use chemical cleaners or disinfectants.

“The most common cause of death at winter feeding stations is not the cold, but diseases transmitted through poor hygiene. A thorough weekly cleaning should be the absolute minimum.”

When is the right time to feed garden birds?

Traditional winter feeding from November to February is well known. However, modern recommendations go further. Many experts advocate feeding birds all year round.

In spring and summer, breeding adults and their young need energy-rich food. Natural insect food becomes scarcer. Supplementary feeding can be beneficial during this time.

Feeding birds in winter

Start winter feeding during prolonged frost or when the ground is covered in snow. Birds can then find very little natural food. Feed them in the early morning and late afternoon.

Offer particularly energy-rich food at this time. Suet bells, peanuts and products with a high proportion of sunflower seeds are ideal. The food must remain frost-free and dry.

Feeding birds in summer

In summer, it is best to feed only small amounts. Use protein-rich food such as dried insect larvae. This supports the rearing of young birds.

Avoid large quantities of fat-based food in hot weather. It can quickly turn rancid. Pay especially close attention to hygiene in summer, as germs multiply more quickly in warm conditions.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even with the best intentions, mistakes happen. These can harm birds or make feeding ineffective.

The biggest mistake is neglecting hygiene. A dirty bird feeder kills more birds than it saves. Clean it regularly.

Another mistake is choosing the wrong location. The feeding station must be neither too exposed nor too hidden. It must be safe from cats and easily accessible to birds.

Do not put out too much food at once. It is better to add small portions more often. This keeps the food fresh and attracts fewer unwanted visitors.

Conclusion: Responsible bird feeding is allowed and encouraged

Feeding birds in your own garden is a permitted and rewarding way to support local wildlife. The key is to do so responsibly.

Choose high-quality, species-appropriate food from our bird food range. Keep the feeding station absolutely clean. Position your feeders safely and thoughtfully.

This allows you to make a valuable contribution to wildlife protection in the garden while enjoying a lively, diverse garden. With the right products and a little care, feeding garden birds benefits both people and wildlife.

Frequently asked questions

Can you feed garden birds all year round?

Yes, feeding birds in the garden all year round is permitted and is even recommended by many experts. It supports birds during the summer breeding season and helps them during the moult. It is important to feed them consistently so they can rely on the food supply. Only stop providing food during extreme weather conditions such as prolonged frost or heatwaves.

What type of bread should you never give to birds?

As a general rule, do not give birds bread, especially fresh or salted bread. Fresh bread swells in the stomach and causes digestive problems. Salt is toxic to birds. Old, dry bread in small quantities is less harmful, but provides little nutritional value and dirties the feeding station. Specially formulated mixes from our wild bird food range are a much better choice.

What happens if you use the wrong bird food?

Unsuitable food such as bread, salted nuts or table scraps harms birds. It can lead to malnutrition, poisoning or feathers sticking together, which can restrict their ability to fly. Contaminated or mouldy food can also cause fatal diseases. Therefore, use only high-quality, husk-free food such as our bird food, specially formulated to meet the needs of native species.

How can I stop rats from getting to bird food?

Choose feeding stations that are difficult for rats to access: Hanging feeders or suet bells are ideal. Avoid ground-level bird tables, or place them on a smooth, tall metal pole. Clear away any leftover food in the evening. Feed fat-based food and suet balls that are eaten quickly. Peanut food in specialist feeders also helps keep rodents away.

Why is hygiene at the feeding station so important for wildlife protection?

Droppings and mould spores accumulate at dirty feeding stations and can spread diseases such as dangerous salmonellosis. Under animal welfare legislation, feeding birds without regular cleaning is prohibited because it causes avoidable suffering. Clean bird tables and feeding trays weekly with hot water and a brush. Replace contaminated food immediately. This is the only way to protect the health of wild birds.