Milk powder for birds?? 🐦🐤

203846930

I have some old milk powder found at back of cupboard and rather than just throw it out I thought I would feed it to the garden birds.
How is the question?
Do I just put it out as is or mix it with something?

Apodemus

I'm no expert, but in the absence of any other replies....
I think I'd make up a mash with rolled oats, water and the milk powder and feed it that way - as if I was feeding hens.

Farway

I think damp mixed or it may have consequences regarding water once inside a bird

twopenny

From the RSPB

"Warning: never cook porridge oats, this makes them glutinous and could harden around a bird's beak. " I think soaking could do the same thing as you can soak them overnight in a drink.

"Warning: never give milk to any bird. A bird's gut is not designed to digest milk and it can give them serious stomach upsets or even kill them. "

https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/feeding-birds/safe-food-for-birds/

Put it on the compost if you don't want to throw it away or dig it into the ground.

203846930

twopenny said:

From the RSPB

"Warning: never give milk to any bird. A bird's gut is not designed to digest milk and it can give them serious stomach upsets or even kill them. " 

If this is true then why do I remember milk bottle tops being pecked away by birds so that they could get at the milk?

But I do take the point on board and will dig the powder into the ground beside my new apple tree.

theoretica

duncanthedog said:

twopenny said:

From the RSPB

"Warning: never give milk to any bird. A bird's gut is not designed to digest milk and it can give them serious stomach upsets or even kill them. " 

If this is true then why do I remember milk bottle tops being pecked away by birds so that they could get at the milk?

But I do take the point on board and will dig the powder into the ground beside my new apple tree.

It was specifically cream on the top that the blue tits always went for in my childhood - ignored the skimmed milk.  And maybe they aren't that different from humans in liking things that are bad for them.

twopenny

Yes, cream. Used to love watching them as a child. My family paying for the milk not so much

And yes, stuff that's bad for us. When I worked in a tea rooms (lots in the area) the end of day scones used to be heaped on the bird table. They loved them. But there was a disease of the bird feet in that area. Not sure whether it was from mixing at the bird tables or if it was a nutrient deficiancy from all that white flour. Not seen that problem since some of the tea gardens closed for some time and then reopened.

mumf

I keep aviary birds. I don’t feed them milk. Wild birds don’t drink milk. 

203846930

All sorted now, thanks for all the comments, I did not feed to the birds after all.

twopenny

I have 2 bags of out of date flour (think about the first lockdown when it was like gold dust)

Would it compost down if I sprinkled it on the garden or just jellyfie? Would it kill the moss?

Apodemus

2p - this is MSE, so ignore the date on the flour and use it as you normally would!   Alternatively, use it to make bread, crumb the bread and feed it to the birds!

But seriously, unless there are signs of life in the flour, chances are it will still be fine.