How many feeders?

[Steve Backes]

How many feeders are you using?

I try to put up one feeder for each "resident". Last winter, that was 20 feeders. I'm currently seeing at least 5 birds fairly regularly. I've got 9 feeders up to allow for the passing migrants.

Steve

[donla]

I've got 3 sometimes 4 feeders up.I'm only seeing one at the feeders at a time,mainly early morning and late near sundown. I'm changing out the sugarwater every other day while the daytime temps are still near 90 degrees. I've noticed if they are left out any longer they start to have spots of cloudyness.I've tasted it and don't see any differance but don't want to take a chance. Don

[clark]

Moved to General Information and Discussion board, 10/7/09. Subject: Hummingbirds in St. Pete?


floridahummingbirds.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=103

[grits]

I now have three feeders out. One window feeder and two hanging feeders that I made these bamboo hangers for.
farm3.static.flickr.com/2479/3949211278_5556651b60.jpg

[John Bakas]

What is the recommended spacing of feeders?

Thank you.

[Steve Backes]

John,

It varies. Some people like to bunch many together 3 feet or less apart. This is sometimes needed to defeat a very territorial bird. Other birds are able to jump from feeder to feeder until the bossy one gives up. I've never personally used this but I have seen it work.

I prefer to space mine apart, usually with something blocking the view of other feeders. I think the closest any of my feeders are together is about 8 feet. The more feeders I hang, the closer they wind up being to others.

Steve

[John Bakas]

Steve,

Thanks, sounds like a good practice. That's what we will try to do.

John
Riverview

[floridagardener]

Steve - How many feeders do you have on your property? And what kind do you use?

I have 2 humzinger feeders. One in the backyard and one in the front. And I happen to have 2 different hummers hanging around. They each use one of the feeders, but I still see them chasing each other around.

I wasn't sure if I should add more feeders. I am not sure how many hummers frequent the east coast of Florida where I live.
~Becky~
Sebastian, FL

[Steve Backes]

I've currently got 15 feeders hanging in my yard. I've got two Humzingers, one 12 oz and one 16 oz. Most of my feeders are the PerkyPet four flower feeders with the yellow cage bee guards. I have many issues with these but they seem to be preferred by the hummers. I've also got individuals of at least 5 other kinds of feeders.

I try to have a couple feeders more than birds in the yard so there is one available in case a new bird arrives.

[floridagardener]

Steve - I didn't see your reply until today. Thanks for sharing with me your number of feeders. I have a PerkyPet feed that I really don't like, therefore rarely use it. Too challenging to clean out. You are right that the hummingbirds prefer them over the humzingers. But they seem to adapt to whatever feeder I use. :-)

All my nectar plants died in the week long freeze, so the birds are really relying on the feeders now.

I have a very tall Oak tree in my backyard and the resident bird sits on the very top branch to see my entire yard - front and back. I think most other hummers coming into the yard are just fly-byes. But she is on their tail the minute she spots an intruder. LOL!

[Gardendipity]

We have seven feeders, three in the back yard, two on one side of the house, and two in the front yard.

We are using a variety of sizes, but the style we like the best is a very tiny model that holds about one cup of sugar-water. I don't know who makes it, but we found them at a Walmart in NC while on vacation and bought a bunch of them. They were only about a one dollar each. I've seen them here (Riverview/Brandon at some Dollar Stores last year. Today we found some at Lowe's but they were more expensive, about $3.50 each.

We are going to add more feeders soon.

All seven of our feeders are being used, but we are not sure whether two or three hummers are using all seven feeders, or whether we actually have one bird for each feeder.

[Steve Backes]

I'm still maintaining 15 feeders but I believe there are only 3 or 4 birds using them. I just can't seem to admit that I don't need them all.

Actually, I decided today to begin taking them down. I'll maintain 7-8 through April and then cut back to one in the front and one in the back that can be viewed easily from inside the house. I don't typically get them in the yard during the summer.

Those $1 Walmart feeders are great. I've got 4 of them. Wish I'd bought more when I had the chance.

[Gardendipity]

We love those $1 feeders too! We are on the hunt for more of them. If we find more, I'll let you know where to buy them. I also found them at a dollar store last year.