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Most wildlife seasonally change their behavior to adapt to cold temperatures and scarce food supplies.

MassWildlife: Why you shouldn't feed wildlife

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Each winter, MassWildlife receives inquiries from the public regarding whether or not to feed wildlife. While people have good intentions, supplemental feeding of wildlife typically does more harm than good.

Most wildlife seasonally change their behavior to adapt to cold temperatures and scarce food supplies. Supplemental feeding can alter that behavior and have detrimental, and sometimes fatal, effects. Wildlife in Massachusetts have adapted over thousands of years to cope with harsh winter weather, including deep snow, cold temperatures, and high winds. 

Supplemental feed sites congregate wildlife into unnaturally high densities, which can:

  • Attract predators and increase risk of death by wild predators or domestic pets;
  • Spread diseases among wildlife or cause other health issues (e.g. Rumen acidosis in deer, Aflatoxicosis in turkeys);
  • Cause aggression and competition over food, wasting vital energy reserves and potentially leading to injury or death;
  • Reduce fat reserves, as wild animals use energy traveling to and from the feeding site;
  • Cause wildlife to cross roads more frequently, therefore increasing vehicle collisions;
  • Negatively impact vegetation and habitat in areas where feeding congregates animals.

Providing wildlife with food at any time of year teaches them to rely on humans for food, which puts them at a disadvantage for survival and can lead to human/wildlife conflicts. Once habituated behavior is established, it can be very difficult or impossible to change.

What can you do?

The best way to help wildlife make it through the winter is to step back and allow the animals' instincts to take over. To help wildlife near your home, focus on improving the wildlife habitat on or near your property, by including natural food and cover (e.g., some conifer cover and regenerating forest or brushy habitat). It is also important that wildlife populations are in balance with what the habitat can support.

Bird feeding

MassWildlife biologists advise against feeding wildlife. While backyard bird feeding during winter months is generally acceptable, we recommend using native plants and water to attract birds to your yard. Fallen bird seed can unintentionally attract many types of wildlife, including bears, turkeys, small mammals like squirrels and mice, and predators like foxes, fishers, and coyotes that feed on small mammals. If you notice unwanted wildlife in your backyard, bring in your bird feeders immediately. 


Tags: animals,   birds,   

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Weekend Outlook: Baby Animals, Fundraisers, and More

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
There are several events this weekend to help you recharge from your week, including "Baby Animals," fundraisers, live music, and more. 
 
Editor's Pick 

Baby Animals 

Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield 
Saturday, April 12, through Sunday, May 4.
 
The birds are chirping. The grass is getting greener, and signs of spring are showing — what better way to celebrate that than visiting the baby animals at Hancock Shaker Village.  
 
The village's baby animal festival begins this weekend from 11 until 4. Meet the farm's newest editions including lambs, kids, piglets, calves, and chicks. 
 
Festivalgoers can partake in daily events and activities including daily talks about the farm and the Shakers, craft demonstrations, and more. 
 
More information here.
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