Fat balls for birds in November: feeding and placement

Why November fat balls: energy for birds in cold

November is energy month for birds. Temperature drops to 5-10°C, insects vanish, seed from flowers runs out, and birds need a constant energy source to maintain body heat. A blue tit (Parus major) eats twice as much in winter as in summer.

Fat balls are bird food at its simplest: fat, seed dust, millet, dried fruit - exactly the calories birds need.

Feeding birds with fat balls in November = helping them survive until spring.

TL;DR

November fat balls: high-fat composition, safe placement in trees where birds can eat peacefully, and feed through April. Blue tits, great tits, and thrushes eat them gladly. Stop feeding in May - nature feeds them itself.

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Composition: What is in them?

Not all fat balls are equal. Many cheap fat balls contain artificial additives and ingredients birds should not have. The best fat balls are simple.

Good composition:

• Vegetable fat (10-12 parts)
• Seed dust / seed mix (3-4 parts) - sunflower, sesame, hemp
• Millet (brown bird millet, not coloured)
• Dried fruit bits (cranberry, raisin)
• Nuts (chopped, not whole)
• Grain seed

Preference per bird species:

• Blue tit, Great tit: Vegetable fat + sunflower seed + millet
• Robin: Slightly more fruit bits, less fat
• Starling, Thrush: Fruit bits, millet, fewer nuts
• Finch, Goldfinch: Seed mix, millet, vegetable fat

Avoid:

• Salt (bad for birds)
• Artificial colours
• Sticky coatings (birds get stuck)
• Mouldy or old fat balls

Homemade is cheaper and better. Basic recipe: 2 kg vegetable fat, 1 kg seed mix, 200g millet. Mix by hand, roll into balls, coat in net or basket.

Placement: Where to hang them?

Placement determines whether birds eat them or not.

Ideal spot:

• In trees: 2-4 metres high, where birds have line of sight around
• Freestanding: Not against wall or near dense shrubs (predators hide)
• Sunny: Birds spot food better in light
• Protected: Wind shelter, not directly under gutters (water drips)

Practical places:

• Apple tree: classic, birds know it
• Elm or maple: open branch work, easy access
• Hedge: position feeders between shrub shoots
• Pergola: hang on cable

Places to avoid:

• Directly against house wall (birds see you)
• Above footpath (bird droppings on you)
• Where cats can jump
• Very shady (birds feel unsafe)

Birds eat fat balls if they know it is safe. They descend on them if 3-4 birds are already eating - copy-cat effect.

When to start, when to stop?

November - March: Prime fat ball season. Temperature 5-10°C, birds have most need.

April: Less vital, but birds still eat.

May: Stop. Insects return, natural food runs out, and birds must learn to eat themselves.

June-September: No fat balls. They attract maggots and grow mould in warmth.

Rule: Feed from November to April. Stop in May.

Why? Birds that rely on artificial feed all winter lose survival skills. In May they must learn to catch insects themselves. Feeding too long disrupts their natural behaviour.

Bird species that eat fat balls

Much eaten by:

• Blue tit (Parus major) - Most common fat ball eater
• Crested tit (Lophophanes cristatus) - Cautious, but likes them
• Great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) - Eats everything, also nuts
• Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) - Groups, eat lots
• Blackbird, Song thrush (Turdus merula, T. viscivorus) - Lovers of fruit bits

Sometimes eaten by:

• Finch
• Robin (prefer insects, but eats bits)
• Goldcrest (very cautious)
• Pigeon (larger ones eat too)

Not eaten by:

• House sparrow - prefer seed direct, not fat balls
• Bunting - prefer seed
• Crow/Jay - prefer larger food

Many birds will not eat fat balls immediately. They learn from other birds. First week: nobody. Second week: 1-2 blue tits. Third week: group of 8-10. This is normal.

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On [gardenworld.app](https://gardenworld.app) you can upload your front yard and see where bird feeding stations, protected nests, and bird plants fit best in your design.

Hygiene: Clean feeding area

Birds can get sick from dirty feed.

Weekly checks:

• Remove mangled fat balls (birds won't eat)
• Check nets for tears
• Remove dead animals (sometimes birds fall)

Monthly:

• Wash feeder rings with warm water
• Sweep tree branch where fat ball hangs
• Check for mould

Do not:

• Leave fat balls long (replace after 2-3 months)
• Stack new on old (no washing)
• Feed in rain (fat gets dirty)

Clean feeding area = healthy birds.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make fat balls myself?

Yes, very simple. Recipe: 2 kg vegetable fat (not butter - birds get diarrhea), 1 kg seed mix, 200g millet, 100g raisin bits. Mix by hand, roll into balls, coat in bird net or place in small basket. Cool. Done.

Savings: homemade fat balls cost 1/3 of shop versions.

What fat do I use?

Vegetable fat (coconut oil, palm oil alternative) or animal fat (not rancid). NOT butter - birds get diarrhea.

Specialist bird shops sell "bird fat" - use that if unsure.

Why do my birds not eat my fat balls?

Probably unsafe placement. Birds are cautious. Place fat balls elsewhere, higher, more open. Or wait - it takes weeks for birds to eat.

Or your fat ball is old/dirty. Replace with fresh.

Birds all eat from one fat ball - is that safe?

Yes, birds cannot transmit sickness via feed they do not already have. Group feeding is normal.

However: if many birds eat at once, things fall to ground. Bird droppings concentrate. So do not place fat balls directly above garden furniture.

Can I give fat balls all year?

No. May-October: stop. Insects and natural food run out, and artificial feed attracts maggots/insects in warmth. November-April: prime time.

Step-by-step

Step 1: Order or make fat balls (early November)

Shop or homemade? Decide. Order first batch.

Step 2: Choose placement

Walk your garden, pick 3-4 tree branches where fat balls can hang. Open spot? Bird-safe?

Step 3: Hang

Attach fat balls to rope or net. Make sure they hang free (not against branches).

Step 4: Wait

Birds won't eat immediately. Wait 1-2 weeks. Then first visitors appear.

Step 5: Maintenance

Check weekly. Replace every 2-3 months or if dirty. Stop feeding in May.

Attract birds with feed and planting

Feed is only half solution. Birds also want nests and shelter. On [gardenworld.app](https://gardenworld.app) you can see how to combine bird-friendly planting and feed in your seasonal garden design.