Nick Maclaren wrote:
In article ,
"shannie" writes:
"dommy" wrote in message
s.com...
Thanks for the replies everyone, very kind and helpful of you
all.
I have a loaf of mouldy bread, think ill break it up and chuck it
in.

You could do, or you could crumble it and leave it out for the
small birds, they'll thank you by eating any baddies in your
garden
too :-)

Er, no. Bread (white bread, in particular) can be harmful to
most birds, because it forms a solid lump. Also, insect eating
birds either won't eat it, or will be very likely to be harmed
by it.

Also, most birds that are not scavengers are fairly sensitive
to rotting food, and may be harmed by that. We are scavengers
(like rats) and can eat a lot of things that even other mammals
can't.

I take the view that birds have lived long enough to decide for
themselves what they fancy and what they do not - and do not need well
meaning human theoretical dieticians deciding on their behalf what
they 'should' eat and what they shoudn't.
Moulds are naturally occurring organisms. Birds will come across
mouldy grain, etc., in their natural search for food. They will know
whether it is OK or not. Certainly some species will reject it of
their own accord.
When we human 'do-gooders' place food out for the wildlife, we are not
forcing it down their throats. We are giving them an option. Take it
or leave it.

--
ned