Feeding Hummingbirds sugar water?
Question:Isn't it unhealthy to feed that poor little birdy processed sugar? I want to get a feeder outside our house, but we ourselves barely eat processed sugar because it's so unhealthy. Sometimes I see hummingbirds on these feeders at certain places daily, so it's a part of their diet. Anyone ever heard of something more healthy to put in those feeders for them?
Answers:
Those guys burn many carbs and sugar is a good source. Natural sugar is less processed but I have never tried it. They come to the feeders that have sugar water. I have not tried honey either.
There's nothing wrong with processed sugar. It's pure sugar. I mix 1 part sugar to 4 parts water, boil it, cool it and put it into my hummingbird feeder.
You can buy hummingbird nectar already mixed. It's found in the same aisle where the feeders are sold. Sugar water is cheaper, though, and works just as well. They love it!
They thrive on sucrose as well as many small insects (gnats, aphids, spiders, etc) for protein. Processed sugar is sucrose without additives and thus is the easiest way to supply them the liquid portion of their diet. Unprocessed or raw sugar can contain other compounds that they find unpalatable. It's best to stick with white table sugar in a 4:1 ratio of water:sugar.
sugar and water thats all it is, use a little red food coloring if needed as well
Sugar & water is the best and seems to be the stuff our hummers like the best. You can get nector packets at the pet store or your local Walmart. Do not, I repeat, do not use honey. I've been told it metabolizes too quickly in their little systems. The best receipe is 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. You can add a few drops of red food coloring. They seem to be drawn to bright colors. Mix well and pour into your feeder and hang. It may take a couple days for them to find it, but they will come.
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