Birders want to see birds in their backyards, but we also want to make sure that we don’t do anything that would harm the birds we love.
A good birder will investigate what they feed to their backyard birds before making a decision about what to put in a feeder or scatter on the ground.
Oats are a great example of something people should look into before they offer them to their birds. Can birds eat oats? Are they safe for birds?
Most of the time, feeding oats to birds is fine—but you want to avoid making any mistakes that could hurt any of the birds who visit your feeders. There are many different kinds of oats, and several ways to prepare them, so read on to find out more…
Are Oats Safe for Birds?
In general, yes. Raw porridge oats are safe for species of birds.
In most situations, uncooked porridge oats are a delicious treat that many birds enjoy. After all, the oats you purchase in the grocery store or from a wild bird store are not that different from the oats that birds encounter in the wild.
The most important thing that you have to remember is that you can’t feed birds cooked oatmeal. The soft, cooked oats can harden and cake around a bird’s beak, making it difficult to breathe.
Oats Are Safe for Birds, But Are They Beneficial?
Just like humans and plenty of other species, birds can overeat or eat things that aren’t the healthiest option for them.
When considering a new food for your backyard birds, you will have to determine if it should be given in moderation, freely, or none at all.
Are oats one of those things that you have to be careful about, like nutritionless junk food?
Nope! Oats are actually a very nutritious food source for birds. They have plenty of fiber, fats, and protein. Additionally, they have minimal salt. Oats have vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc—all excellent sources of nutrients in a bird’s diet!
Can Birds Eat Instant Oatmeal?
Instant oatmeal tends to be fine, but some options are better than others for a proper functioning diet.
If you buy instant oatmeal that is high in sugars or additives, there are healthier options for your backyard birds.
Other Options for Feeding Oats to Birds
Oats come in many forms: rolled oats, oat flakes, porridge oats, quick oats, and steel-cut oats.
There are so many options! And all of them are a fine option for birds! Just remember that these are all safe options when they areraw. It is cooked oats that create a problem for birds.
Are There Any Birds Who Shouldn’t Eat Oats?
Plenty of animals eat oats without any issues. Dogs and cats, cattle and horses, and poultry are just some of the animals that are often given oats as anessential part of their diet.
Birds whose primary diet is made up of grains and seeds are called granivorous birds.
While not every bird will be drawn to eating oats because not all birds are granivorous, the ones who are can eat oats without an issue.
The only birds who can’t eat oats are the same ones who won’t show any interest in eating them as part of their staple diet!
What About Baby Birds?
In the wild, baby birds eat the same food as their parents.
When they are young, the baby bird will receive food directly from its adult parents. One or both of the adult birds will regurgitate food that they have already started to digest.
This ensures that the baby is capable of digesting the bird food on its own.
When they are old enough to eat oats, they will. And when they are too young, they won’t.
Can You Use Oatmeal for Suet?
Although you can scatter raw, uncooked oatmeal on the ground or put it in a feeder (preferably one that is squirrel-proof!), try making suet cakes.
Suet is a cake or ball of rendered animal fat. Other healthy ingredients are often added to it, and it is an excellent food for birds who need extra calories and a source of energy.
For example, bird species that stick around in cold environments all year can get the extra energy they need from suet.
Bird owners can buy pre-made suet to put into a suet feeder, or you can make your own!
How To Make Oatmeal Suet
There are lots of recipes available for making homemade suet! Not all of them include oats, but several of our favorite suet recipes include tasty, nutritious oats.
Mixing oats with fats is a great way to provide a healthy, high-calorie treat for your common backyard birds.
I recommend Birder’s Delight as a great starter recipe for suet.
You’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 lb plain suet cut into small pieces
- 1 c. yellow cornmeal
- 1 c. rolled oats
- 1 c. chunky peanut butter
- 1 c. mixed wild bird seed
- 1 c. hulled sunflower seed or chopped pecans
*You can always adjust these amounts to your own preferences, or based on what you have on hand.
To prepare this suet, you will first need to melt the suet on low.
After it is melted, stir in the solid ingredients until everything is mixed together.
Let it cool a bit, but make sure it is still pourable. Then, pour it into any mold that works for you. You can use bowls, ice cream trays, or any other household item.
Refrigerate or freeze until the suet has solidified.
Other Ways To Prepare Oats for Birdfeeding
In addition to making oatmeal-based suet, here are some other ways you can prepare oats for your backyard birds:
- Spread raw oats of any kind on the ground where you want to feed the birds
- Put raw oats in bird feeders
- Mix raw oats with other birdfeed for a half-and-half option
What Foods Should I Avoid Feeding to Birds?
If oats are fine, what foods are NOT okay for birds?
Avoid feeding birds anything that could make them sick. That includes spoiled food, even if it was a previously healthy ingredient. Moldy food is bad for humans, and it’s bad for our lovely birds, too!
Bread, including oat bread, is not a nutritionally healthy option for birds. It can be provided as an occasional treat, though.
Junk food, raw meat, honey, salt, and milk are a few more items you should avoid. Birds prefer whole foods that are high in macro and micronutrients.
Keeping Your Backyard Birds Healthy With Supplemental Oats
Some people get intimidated by lists like this one because it can seem like there are a lot of rules. But Iwould never want anyone to be discouraged from becoming a backyard birder!
What I hope you’ll remember from this article is that there are plenty of ways to feed oats to birds—remember to use raw, uncooked oats of almost any variety instead of cooked oats.
The exception, of course, is when the oats are mixed with fats in the form of suet.
Keep asking good questions about how to best take care of the birds in your backyard, and you will soon help foster a thriving population of backyard visitors!
As an avid birder and enthusiast with a deep understanding of avian ecology and behavior, I can attest to the importance of responsible bird feeding practices. Having spent countless hours observing and studying various bird species in their natural habitats, I am well-versed in the intricacies of their dietary needs and preferences.
In the realm of bird feeding, the choice of food plays a pivotal role in ensuring the well-being of our feathered friends. The article rightly emphasizes the need for careful consideration before offering oats to backyard birds. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts discussed in the article:
Are Oats Safe for Birds?
The safety of feeding oats to birds is established early in the article. Raw porridge oats are generally safe for most bird species. It highlights the importance of avoiding cooked oatmeal as it can harden around a bird's beak, causing breathing difficulties.
Nutritional Benefits of Oats for Birds
The article goes on to emphasize the nutritional benefits of oats for birds. Oats provide essential nutrients such as fiber, fats, protein, vitamins (like iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc), making them a valuable addition to a bird's diet.
Types of Oats
The article introduces various forms of oats, including rolled oats, oat flakes, porridge oats, quick oats, and steel-cut oats. It clarifies that all these options are safe for birds when provided raw, highlighting the potential issues arising from cooked oats.
Birds that Can Eat Oats
While many animals, including dogs, cats, cattle, horses, and poultry, can consume oats without problems, the focus remains on granivorous birds—those whose primary diet consists of grains and seeds. It clarifies that birds not inclined towards grains won't be interested in oats.
Oats for Baby Birds
The article briefly touches upon the feeding habits of baby birds, explaining that they consume the same foods as their parents. It emphasizes the natural progression from receiving partially digested food from adult birds to eventually eating oats when old enough.
Oatmeal for Suet
The article introduces the concept of using oats in suet, a high-calorie food source for birds. It provides a suet recipe, "Birder's Delight," incorporating oats along with suet, cornmeal, peanut butter, and birdseed.
Other Ways to Prepare Oats for Birds
Various methods of offering oats to birds are suggested, including spreading them on the ground, placing them in feeders, or mixing them with other birdfeed for a diverse diet.
Foods to Avoid
The article cautions against feeding birds certain items, such as spoiled or moldy food, bread (except as an occasional treat), junk food, raw meat, honey, salt, and milk. It encourages a focus on whole foods rich in macro and micronutrients.
Encouraging Responsible Bird Feeding
The conclusion encourages readers not to be discouraged by the guidelines, emphasizing the flexibility and variety of ways to feed oats to birds. It promotes a proactive approach to bird care to foster a thriving population of backyard visitors.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive guide for bird enthusiasts, combining a wealth of firsthand knowledge with practical advice for responsible and enjoyable bird feeding.
