I think you are right on that one M-U. My little hardware/pet accessories shop in the village was doing 4 for £1 last winter and I haven't got any more so far this year.
Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
Hi j.hebner welcome to the forum. I would throw them away. Although not all moulds are dangerous, I would prefer to err on the side of caution. Most things that go mouldy have thread like roots we cannot always see growing into the food. In damp conditions like we are experiencing at the moment things like fat balls and also peanuts can go mouldy fast . A reminder that the blue mould on peanuts is a nasty one. So any fat feeding products with added peanuts should be watched too and thrown away promptly.
Edited to add: Cleaning the feeder or holder with hot soapy water should also be done so no mould is left to get a head start on any new food put in.
I bought a 6 pack of fat balls a couple of months ago and put 3 into of those newish plastic holders which snap shut. Mine have got suction cups to attach to the window to get closeups of the birds feeding. I thought I would hang them first on the bird feeding station near the sunflower hearts feeders to get the birds used to it, but it's only the occasional bluetit that has a go. The goldfinches are totally ignoring them. I'm wondering whether the birds' beaks can actually reach the fat balls inside, now that they've been nibbled a bit.
Lizzie - could it be that they simply don't like that particular variety? Some seem to be better than others. I'm not sure goldies eat them to be honest. They don't go near mine, and I can barely keep my fat feeders topped up. The starlings use them most, but all the small birds eat them. I use the usual wire feeders - feeder shape with circles of wire about an inch apart, if you know what I mean. I also have a wee one inside the cage which the little birds use as well.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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Thank you for the lovely pictures Papi Jo.
I think you are right on that one M-U. My little hardware/pet accessories shop in the village was doing 4 for £1 last winter and I haven't got any more so far this year.
our fat balls come from Home Bargains. I think £3.99 a bucket. Cheapest I've found and the birds seem perfectly happy with them.
Thank you for that information Hosta.
How did your home made fat treats work M-U?
Ha ha ha. Now that has made me laugh out loud. Just confirmed in Lily's head that I'm a nutcase!
I would throw them away. Although not all moulds are dangerous, I would prefer to err on the side of caution. Most things that go mouldy have thread like roots we cannot always see growing into the food. In damp conditions like we are experiencing at the moment things like fat balls and also peanuts can go mouldy fast .
A reminder that the blue mould on peanuts is a nasty one. So any fat feeding products with added peanuts should be watched too and thrown away promptly.
Edited to add: Cleaning the feeder or holder with hot soapy water should also be done so no mould is left to get a head start on any new food put in.
Some seem to be better than others.
I'm not sure goldies eat them to be honest. They don't go near mine, and I can barely keep my fat feeders topped up.
The starlings use them most, but all the small birds eat them. I use the usual wire feeders - feeder shape with circles of wire about an inch apart, if you know what I mean. I also have a wee one inside the cage which the little birds use as well.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...