Suet, Mealworms & Special Feeds: When and Why to Use Them
Welcome to our guide to wild bird feeding from The Puzzle Seed Co.! While quality seed blends and straights form the foundation of a bird’s diet, it’s the high-energy supplements that can truly expand the variety of species visiting your garden.
We stock two major supplementary categories from the trusted Eyebrook range: Suets and Mealworms. Understanding when and why to use these special feeds will help you provide the vital nutrition your local birds need, no matter the season.Suet: The High-Energy Powerhouse
Suet is one of the most effective and popular special feeds you can offer. It is pure rendered fat, which provides a highly concentrated, easily digestible energy source.The Benefits of Suet
- Exceptional Energy: Suet is packed with calories, making it a critical source of fuel for small birds that lose body heat rapidly, especially during short winter days and long, cold nights.
- Versatility: Suet comes in many forms, including blocks (sometimes called suet cakes), pellets, and balls, all of which can be customized with fruits, nuts, or seeds.
- Wider Appeal: Suet attracts birds that might ignore seed, such as Wrens, Nuthatches, Treecreepers, Blackbirds, and Starlings.
When to Use Suet
Suet is beneficial year-round, but it is especially crucial in colder weather.
- Winter Feeding: In winter, birds use enormous amounts of energy just to stay warm. Providing easy-to-eat, high-fat suet pellets or blocks can mean the difference between survival and hardship.
- Non-Melt Formulas: During hot summer months, ensure you are using 'No-Melt'suet products. Regular suet can spoil or become sticky in hot weather, which can damage a bird's feathers.
Mealworms: Protein for the Insect Eaters
Dried mealworms are the ideal food for birds that rely on insects as their main food source, and they offer a vital source of protein that is often missing from a pure seed diet.The Benefits of Mealworms
- Protein-Rich: Mealworms are an excellent source of protein, essential for healthy muscle and feather development.
- Attracts Ground Feeders: They are particularly appealing to insectivorous birds that typically feed on the ground or forage in bushes, such as Robins, Dunnocks, Wrens, and Thrushes.
- Easy to Serve: You can simply place dried mealworms on a ground feeding tray or add them to a seed mix. For extra appeal, try soaking them in water for 10-15 minutes to rehydrate them before serving.
When to Use Mealworms
Mealworms are important for seasonal and lifecycle support:
- Breeding Season (Spring/Summer): This is when mealworms are most vital. Nestlings and fledgling birds require a high-protein, insect-heavy diet for rapid growth. Feeding mealworms during this time gives parent birds a crucial, easy supply of nutritious food for their young.
- Year-Round Supplement: While most crucial in spring and summer, a small quantity of mealworms can be offered year-round as a general supplement to the diet of your visiting songbirds.
Seasonal Considerations: A Quick Guide
| Season | Focus | Recommended Eyebrook Supplements | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Maximum Energy and survival. | Suet Blocks & Pellets(plain or insect-enriched). | High fat content provides the calories needed to survive cold nights. |
| Spring/Summer | Protein for nesting and fledglings. | Dried Mealworms and High-Protein Suet Pellets. | Supports parents gathering food and provides essential protein for fast-growing chicks. |
| Autumn | Fattening Upfor migration or winter. | All Supplements as a preparation for the lean winter months. | Birds stock up on fat reserves, making this a great time to ensure a consistent supply of suet and seed. |
Ready to Expand Your Bird Menu?
Take your feeding station to the next level by introducing these powerful supplements.
- Explore Our Range: Browse our stock of high-quality Eyebrook Suets and Mealworms to find the perfect additions to your garden menu!
- Simplify Your Shopping: Why not pick up one of our Seasonal Supplement Bundles? Everything you need for a specific season, curated for your convenience.