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 Post subject: Hummingbird feeders
PostPosted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 2:21 pm 
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Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2003 1:32 pm
Posts: 48
I have 4 hummingbird feeders out and have MANY hummers feeding. I bet there are at least 50 feeding at my 4 feeders because I go through about 1/2 gallon of syrup daily. I have 2 in the front and 2 in the back. I do have more feeders so I was wondering if I should put out them out. I do not have another good spot to put them but might be able to put more in the area where I already have feeders. The feeders I have allow 6-10 to eat at the same time.

Also, if I have this many now, how many might be here during migration? I saw about a 4-5 fold increase when I lived in SE Texas. I am trying to find someone to come refill the feeders when I will be gone the first week in October.

I have been feeding them since late March.

Thanks.

Betty, SW Arkansas (here about 6 months now)


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 Post subject: Re: Hummingbird feeders
PostPosted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 6:36 am 
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Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2003 1:52 pm
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Location: Dallas,TEXAS
Also consider planting hummingbird friendly plants around so you don't have to rely solely on feeders.

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Sandi
Texas Certified Nursery Professional
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 Post subject: Re: Hummingbird feeders
PostPosted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 8:45 am 
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Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2003 1:32 pm
Posts: 48
I have ordered some hummer friendly plants but had no idea that there would be this many when I moved here in Jan. It has been exceptionally dry here (almost as much as TX) so there are few other options for the little ones.

If we had 5 nesting pairs and they each had 3 pairs of fledglings, that would be 40 birds.... bet we have more!

Should I put up more feeders NOW?


Thanks. Betty, SW Arkansas


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 Post subject: Re: Hummingbird feeders
PostPosted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 6:36 pm 
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Joined: Fri May 27, 2011 4:49 am
Posts: 8
Yes, put up as many as you can take care of. Please remember that the sugar water spoils quickly in this heat so frequent changes are necessary. Also, clean the feeders with soap and hot water. Don't mean to preach but I don't know your knowledge level.
Thanks for feeding them, they need it this year more than ever - not many natural nectar sources out there.
Tony M


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 Post subject: Re: Hummingbird feeders
PostPosted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 8:14 pm 
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Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2003 1:32 pm
Posts: 48
Thanks Tony,

With the rate they are emptying the feeders, the syrup does not have time to spoil. I rinse them with very hot water before refilling - daily or seldom longer that 36 hours. I check them occasionally and if necessary sterilize with a tiny bit of bleach in a hot soak, then rinse very well or sometimes I use rice in water to clean the insides of the glass feeders where I cannot reach.

I will try to find additional places for the feeders. When I put them on the shepherd's crooks in the garden, the ants found them. Vaseline on the poles needed to be replaced daily to keep the ants out and the poles are now coated with the (icky) sticky stuff.

Betty, SW Arkansas


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