Don't Use Plastic Net Bags for Wild Bird Feed

Please do not reuse the plastic onion/vegetable bags for the wild birds. I had used the bags for well over five years without a problem. It took one incident to change my mind about using these bags.

On a cold winter day, a bird had its' leg tangled in the netting and could not get loose. It was a horrible sight to see and hear. Luckily, I was home and able to cut the netting to release the bird. It was so stressful for the bird, and also for me. Fortunately, it happened in an area that I was able to reach. We had several bags filled with suet high on tree branches that my husband hung and it would have been impossible for me to reach.

If I was not home to free the bird, it would have died from the cold or exhaustion, and its' leg would have definitely been broken since it was twisting and turning to free itself.

I see this idea used very often and I hope everyone reconsiders using these netted bags to feed the birds. It only happened once to me and after that incident, I would not ever want to take that chance again.

Use the wired cages to feed the birds. I have purchased them in dollar discount stores at times, and at the end of season in clearance at a reasonable price. Even at the full price, it is well worth the purchase since they do last a very long time.

The plastic netted bags can be reused for other ideas. You can ball them up and use for a scrubby or use them when you shop for your produce. I like to use the larger bags for what I call "throw-away" rags. I save old worn out articles of clothing that I cut into various sizes. I hang it so it is easy to find. When anyone has a messy clean up, and the rags are too dirty/greasy to wash, they use the "rag bag" and throw the rags away.

By mkymlp from PA

Feedback About This Post:

Don't Use Plastic Net Bags for Wild Bird Feed

I go through blog it's really good written. In fact, netting bird is an interesting topic to read. It has a wide knowledge about bird. In fact, netting bird is an interesting destination i.e. covered by many websites. In fact
We bought bird netting too, I had a couple of small tomatoes ruined by birdie beaks. Early on there were a couple of nice peppers and a few Juliet (grape) tomatoes - but the hail damaged many plants so might not get any Black Krim tomatoes. I've thrown old basil seed around and still had it come up. Don't give up yet ;-]

Post by rohitsharma

RE: Don't Use Plastic Net Bags for Wild Bird Feed

Thanks for posting this, I usually make my own suet and drop it in one of those bags and hang it outside. Now I will stop. I never thought about the possible entanglement!

Post by AmyMart

RE: Don't Use Plastic Net Bags for Wild Bird Feed

The fatty balls we buy here for the birds come in individual net bags. I, too, always remove them and put the balls in the feeder. The jackdaws were adept at knocking the feeder down and stealing the balls so I had to secure it to a hook on my bird table. They could have choked on the bags.

Post by skinnyjinny

RE: Don't Use Plastic Net Bags for Wild Bird Feed

I have a plexiglass birdfeeder on my window. This morning there was a bird in it. I couldnt help but notice that he could only stand on one leg. The other leg just hung there, helpless. I dont know what happened to this poor bird, but it broke my heart to see him that way.

Also, he had to be vigilant as with birds there is a pecking order. Because he was the weakest one, the larger and healthier birds would push him out of the feeder.

Post by Carol in PA

RE: Don't Use Plastic Net Bags for Wild Bird Feed

I had never heard of using netted bags to feed birds before, but it makes sense to me that sooner a later a bird would get its claws caught in one. Glad you were there to rescue the poor bird.

Post by Anonymous

Disclaimer: ThriftyFun.com cannot accept any responsibility for any injury or damage that you may cause to yourself, others, or property when following any advice given on this site. Read the full disclaimer: http://www.thriftyfun.comdisclaimer.ldml If you find any information on ThriftyFun.com or in our newsletters that is either erroneous and/or potentially harmful to others, please Contact Us, immediately.