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From: nobody@tekecs.GWD.TEK.COM (-for inetd server command)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: hummingbird feeders
Message-ID: <11270@tekecs.GWD.TEK.COM>
Date: 11 Apr 89 19:23:57 GMT
References: <2652@lindy.Stanford.EDU>
Reply-To: barbaraz@bj.GWD.TEK.COM (Barbara Zanzig)
Organization: ITD, Tektronix Inc., Wilsonville, OR
Lines: 19

In article <2652@lindy.Stanford.EDU> GC.SUL@forsythe.stanford.edu (Karen SULLIVAN) writes:

> Also, another word on feeders-keep them out of the sun. keep CLEAN
> and change nectar at least once a week.  NEVER let them run out-If

You should change the nectar DAILY or at least every 2 days, and clean
the inside of the feeder thoroughly with soap and hot water.  Otherwise
it ferments and you have drunken, sick birds.  It's the same principle
as moldy seed - the birds don't know enough to stay away from the
stuff, and the microorganisms make them ill.  I seem to remember
reading something about damage to internal organs (liver?) from
fermented nectar, as well.

My husband and I are currently debating whether to put up a hummingbird
feeder because of the effort required to keep the feeder clean and full.

Barbara Zanzig
barbaraz@orca.WV.TEK.COM
{major backbone sites}!tektronix!orca!barbaraz