FAT BALLS!!!
😂 well this is one of those subjects I never thought I would be looking into - but yes FAT BALLS!
Since opening our country store I have become even more enthralled with our local wild life and bird population and my driving passion into educating myself and others about how we can help keep our birds healthy.
We decided to add fat balls to our choice for our customers and as usual there is a mixed message and price associated with this. After further investigation it has now become clear that perhaps by wanting to help the birds and not spending too much money, we opt for the value choice. Hands up - I have also brought the bucket of balls for around £8-10 what did I notice - in my garden, they appeared to encourage the larger birds like, pigeons & sea gulls which wasn't my aim. They would greedily eat 4 balls a day, mess would be all over the floor (which I then had to try and stop my dogs from eating) and to be honest it was no longer enjoyable. Not knowing the difference with the fat balls, I just gave up on them.
What I have since found out is that the budget balls contain a high volume of wheat husks/grain cases/grain chaff as a bulking agent. Some are even reported to include dust and scrapings from the floor! They may not be using the best fat source suited for our beloved wild birds. They may even be made by an unethical organisation which is purely trying to make money out of what is their waste.
Not wanting to join this band waggon, we set about finding what we feel is the best quality product with the best value for money price. This took me to Bucktons Superior Fat Balls. In our option, these balls are great quality (ethical, clean & highly nutritious & made for our wild birds). Cost, around 20p a ball however, we have found them to be long lasting, not making a mess on the floor and generally giving us a feel good ego boost - Supporting local, supporting British & supporting our wild life.
On my fat ball feeder at home the Blue Tit's seem to like them the most, which for me is wonderful as they are my personal favourite - what birds does your fat balls attract?