Can I Feed Bread to My Garden Birds?
It may seem like a good idea to use your leftover or stale bread to feed the birds in your garden, and in many ways it is — less food will go to waste, and the hungry birds will be grateful. But is it safe to do so?
If you want the short answer: yes, it is safe to feed bread to garden birds. However, bread should be accompanied by a variety of high-quality, bird-friendly protein sources and healthy fats. Keep reading to learn more.
Can birds digest bread?
Most birds will be able to digest all types of bread but it’s better to feed them crumbled or soaked bread rather than dry, stale bread. This will make it easier for birds, and especially baby birds, to ingest it.
Is bread good for birds?
Bread can be used as a cheap filler ingredient and can leave birds feeling full, but it must only be a small component of their diet. This is because bread does not contain the necessary fats and proteins birds need to thrive.
A diet of only bread can cause birds to suffer vitamin deficiencies or even starve. Baby birds in particular require a varied diet to help them grow into healthy fledglings.
If kitchen scraps are your only option, foods like grated cheese and cake crumbs offer more nutritional value.
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