Some friends are using a mixture (of what I call harmful) of 1 cup sugar to 1 cup water. This does really attract the birds, but I know that it must be very harmful for the birds. Am I correct?
By Joan from Signal Mtn., TN
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I don't know about harmful but the usual ratio is 4 to 1. In other words, 4 cups water to 1 cup sugar. I would think it would spoil quickly in hot weather.
The standard mixture, I believe, is 4 to 1; i.e., four cups of water to one cup of sugar.
I would say that yes you are correct. It would probably give them a sugar rush! When you make your own Hummingbird food, you are supposed to mix it 4 - 1.
I have used this mixture for years - 4 cups water to 1 cup sugar.I microwave to dissolve the sugar - stir well - cool and fill my feeders! I do not add red food coloring and it hasn't deterred the hummers. Why would that be harmful? Just curious as to your reasoning. I certainly would NOT buy the commercial mixes.
I have used this mixture for years - 4 cups water to 1 cup sugar. I microwave to dissolve the sugar -stir well - cool and fill my feeders! I do not add red food coloring and it hasn't deterred the hummers.
Hummers love the sweetness, but a different ratio is considered better. I use two to three cups of water to one of sugar. I have read that 1::1 is not good for them, but they will ignore your feeder if they can find somethng sweeter. If you use less sugar, I am guessing you will find they will prefer the sweeter mixture early in the morning and late in the evening, and a lighter mixture during the day as a source of both sugar for energy and water.
4 cups water to 1 cup sugar is correct.
No need to add red food coloring. Some "birders" say that if it isn't good for humans,why should we give it to birds? I agree. The bird feeders usually have a red base anyway.
We have 4 feeders 3 in our yard and one just outside the wall to the Path Garden. We have 3-4 butterfly bushes and a couple of cape honeysuckle bushes near by. This week a young father and his child said he counted 9 hummers at the garden feeder.
We also have a couple of orioles that sneak a drink from them. Just be sure to check for mold during the week. GG Vi
It's like everyone saying 4 parts water to 1 part sugar. Thanks, 'Cookie"
For warm weather 4 parts water to 1 part sugar is proper mix...for those of us who get hummingbirds in cold weather winters...( Vancouver B.C. down to -10 Celsius on occasion) ... then 3 parts water to 1 part sugar is good. A more sugary mix than that is harmful to a hummingbirds kidneys.
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