I have always made my own Nectar for the hummingbirds at a 3 to one ratio of water to sugar. For example 3 cups of water to 1 cup sugar, and then I boil the mixture to prevent it from spoiling.(This will fill 2 feeders).I have also seen recipes that call for a 4 to 1 ratio, but I prefer to make it with the 3 to 1 ratio. Do not use honey or artificial sweeteners it must be sugar. You will cause malnutrition with honey or artificial sweeteners.I always have lots of hummingbirds around who really enjoy this nectar. (I have heard that red food colouring will ruin their kidneys, I don't know if this is true or not so I do not add it to the nectar just in case it is true, I just make sure the feeder is red.)
Submitted by Cheryl
2 comments:
I use the 4/1 ratio and don't even bother to boil the mixture. As fast as those little hummers empty the feeders, there's no danger of it spoiling! Just clean the feeders really well every day or two. I don't use red food coloring, either. I had heard that it wasn't good for them, and they sure don't need the coloring to be attracted to the food!
As an enviornmental biologist I can tell you that sugar water is not condusive to hummingbirds. They gather no nutritional value from this which is needed for successful breeding and migration. Stick with hummer friendly flowers and nectars that contain the nutrients they need for survival!!! Sugar water is a BIG NO-NO!!!
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