Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jan - Zone 3 and 4 on May 9, 2011 at 7:21am

Hi Barbara! 

I mix 1 cup sugar to 4 cups water, and no coloring!  It is bad for their beaks is what I've read.  They will come to the red on the feeder!  No hummingbirds yet in my yard in northern Minnesota, but they will be here soon.  They usually arrive around Mother's Day.  I just mixed up a batch this morning, stirring real good, then I boil it and let it cool.   Oh, and I usually make just a half of a batch at first, but I guess you can refrigerate the rest if you aren't going to use it that day.  Have fun!  Jan

Permalink Reply by Barbara on May 9, 2011 at 7:29am

Thanks, Jan. I will try that recipe. And let you know when I see any. What kind of an area do they like also? Warm, Sunny? Cool, Shady?

Permalink Reply by Jamie on May 9, 2011 at 7:55pm

I do the same.  And no coloring...I heard that too.  If you use a feeder with red on it, they will find it for sure.  I usually make the whole batch...and use half between 2 feeders then refrigerate the rest.  Good Luck :)

 

Permalink Reply by Tammy Zaluzney on May 9, 2011 at 7:33am

Barbara, the ratio is 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water.  Bring to a rapid boil and turn down heat and boil for several minutes.  Let fully cool before filling feeders.  Store any extra in the fridge.  DO NOT use food colouring.  There are reports that is it harmful to to the birds and they do not need it.  It really does not attract them any more than clear nectar. 

Do no dispair if you are not immediately rewarded by a hummer visit.  It is sometimes a matter of being recognized as an established food source.  One thing to rememer, depending on where you are and what species of humming bird you are attracting, they have plenty of flowers right now and most hummers seem to prefer flowers over feeders this time of year.  If you are attracting ruby throated hummingbirds, follow the below link and have a look at this site.  Lot's a great info.  You can also track migrations using this site.  One bit of advice I offer those new to feeding hummers, is to make sure your feeders are out before the spring migration and keep them up beyond the fall migration if you can.  Migrating birds will really appreciate the help and if you are consistent, you will be on their GPS and you will be rewarded by having early and late birds as they travel.  I am in the mid-atlantic and while my resident male has been back for a about a month, the feeders here tend to become more active from July through September and even into Oct. as many perennial flowers are past blooming and the birds become more reliant on annuals in folks gardens and feeders.    

Good luck.

http://hummingbirds.net/

Permalink Reply by Barbara on May 9, 2011 at 8:11am

Thank you Tammy for the link. I went to it and found out alot! =0)

Permalink Reply by D Howlett on May 9, 2011 at 7:47am

Hi Barbara - I use 1 cup sugar to 4 cups water, I also don't stick with Red - I was also told red, red, red............well I have used all colors and they love them all:) Happy Hummy-birds:) D

Permalink Reply by Barbara on May 9, 2011 at 7:55am

Thank you for the recipe's fellow Hummer Watcher's! Getting excited to get it out there! Wondering about placement for it now!

Permalink Reply by Mark Combs on May 9, 2011 at 7:56am

I would go to Tractor Supply ,Walmart or any local store. I am sure they would have Hummingbird food. It will only cost you a couple of dollars 

Mark

Permalink Reply by Melvalena NTexas on May 9, 2011 at 7:58am

 

one part sugar to 4 parts water. 

 

easy: 

1 cup water add 1/4 cup sugar and bring to boil.  put lid on and let cool.

 

1 gallon water add 4 cups sugar.  bring to boil, put lid on and cool.

 

I usually make up a gallon at a time and store in fridge.  I never fill my feeders more than 1/2 full.  I have to empty and rinse in really really hot water every 3 days or the mixture goes bad.   Sometimes I have to do a quick soak in bleach water and rinse well.  My feeders are in mostly shade.  Here we can't let the sun hit them or the mixture sours more quickly.

 

 

 

Permalink Reply by gretchen on May 9, 2011 at 8:08am

The mixture is one part water to four parts water.

Mix and be sure all sugar is desolved, I have wood peckers and Oreios that also like to feed from the sugar water.

It is also important to keep your feeders clean, there is no need to add food coloring.

If your feeder is really dirty. a good trick for cleaning is water and alot of salt. Shake hard to allow the salt to scrub the sides clean then rinse well:)

Happy feeding! these little guys have big appetites!

 

Permalink Reply by Barbara on May 9, 2011 at 6:52pm

Thank you, all, for the recipe and advise. I now have my feeder hanging and waitng for my first feathered friend to partake of the nectar. =0)

Permalink Reply by Terri Castelo on November 6, 2011 at 8:10pm

Hi Barbara,

I've consulted a few books and most say 1 part sugar, 4 parts water.  Red food color optional.  Hummers are attracted to the color red so a red feeder will attract them.  I experimented this year with the formula listed above and the ones you can buy that you just mix with water that turn red when you mix them with water.  The hummingbirds don't seem to show a preference.  I know they love flowers that are red. I planted red salvia and they were all over it.  Good Luck with yours.   Another plant they go for too is red Lantana, Orange trumpet vine too. 

 

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