Q&A

- Your questions answered.

Gone to seed

Is it not time that we took a look at whether we should feed sparrows and mynas? When we put out food for “wild birds” and feed sparrows, we are helping them to breed to the detriment of our native birds. Wild bird seed mixes are great for the UK but how does it help us here in New Zealand? No native birds eat seeds.

LARAINE SHEFFIELD, KAIPARA FLATS

It is true that native birds don’t regularly eat seed. However, all birds have ecological value – they can provide insect control, plant pollination and seed dispersal. Feeding birds also encourages interaction with nature, which leads to a greater awareness and appreciation of our incredible environment.

There’s more good news too – we can feed all birds and encourage native birds to thrive. Planting native species will provide a natural food source for New Zealand native birds and decrease the attraction to sparrows and mynas.

To discourage introduced species from visiting backyard feeders, you could cut back on the seed and supplement more nectar, fruit, mealworms and energy food. However, there are a number of finch varieties that enjoy a nibble on seeds that some people enjoy to see in their gardens.

The best thing we can do to encourage our precious native birds to prosper is to rewild our gardens and green spaces with plenty of native trees and shrubs, such as kōwhai, pūriri and kohekohe. Leaving leaf litter to accumulate for bug habitats is another great way to provide food for our native birds.

While our plants grow, providing good quality food for our native birds, especially in winter when naturally occurring seeds and berries might be scarce, is a great back up choice.

Keep feeders clean and fresh. Don’t leave food to rot or nectar water to get rancid or sticky, as this can cause illness. Having several bird feeders for different bird types prevents disease from spreading between species.

Never feed bread or scraps, especially not on the ground, as this can encourage predators to lurk. Position feeders where predators and scavengers can’t get access, and feed only good nutritious seeds, grains and fruit.

The Topflite Team, topflite.co.nz

Chicken feed

I’m looking for information about which perennial greens to grow to feed my chooks. Where can I get the seeds or buy plants?

BEV MCCULLOCH, TARANAKI

Backyard hens need a balanced diet of pellets made from seeds and grains plus fresh green veges to lay well. Dark green leafy greens are said to produce the deepest yellow egg yolks.

Give your chooks a treat by growing a tasty mixture of plantain, minutina, cocksfoot, sorrel, dandelion, clover, beets and chicory sold as Chicken Greens by Kings Seeds (kingsseeds.co.nz). These plants all have sturdy roots that will regrow after the leaves have been harvested.

Sow the seeds in trays that can be put into the chicken run or sow in a few fenced patches in the garden. When the plants are well established, let the hens graze for a while but move them to a fresh patch before they scratch up all the roots, so the plants can regrow.

Chickens also enjoy silverbeet, Asian greens such as pak choy, and miner’s lettuce. Seeds and seedlings are readily available from garden centres.

There’s a good reason that two very common weeds are called chickweed and fat hen. You probably won’t need to buy these – they’re likely to be in your garden already! Barbara Smith

Frost bite

I was too slow to move my potted vireya undercover for the winter. It’s been badly nipped by frost. Is there anything I can do to save it?

SARAH WELLS, TE AWAMUTU

Move the pot to a frost-free position undercover or against a warm wall. Don’t remove the frost-damaged leaves and branches as they will act as a protective blanket trapping a layer of warmer air around the rest of the plant.

Wait until spring when there is no chance of another frost, then prune back each dead branch to just above a node. At the same time, feed your vireya with a handful of balanced slow-release fertiliser for flowering shrubs. There is a good chance your vireya will survive, but the next flowering may be delayed.

Barbara Smith